News Flash

There’s a lot more going on behind the scenes at Roanoke County libraries then just sorting books. I recently joined community outreach librarians Allyson Frick and Kelsey Frey as they took the Words on Wheels! bookmobile out to the Catawba Valley Farmers Market.

We started our day at the South County Library. Knowing we were headed to the farmers market, Allyson chose picture books for kids on nature and gardens from the library’s collection. She also packed up a prize wheel, toys and puzzles to entice younger readers to come over and explore the bookmobile.

The bookmobile is small but mighty. From a tent and chairs to her laptop and a scanner, Allyson packs in everything she needs to get people library cards, check out books and promote events at the physical library branches.

“Sometimes this is just a marketing tool to promote library services,” Allyson said. “But other times people actually see a book they didn’t see at their local library that they can get, too.”

While we were setting up at the farmers market Allyson recognized Sarah Godoy and her family who specifically came to see Words on Wheels! The family is collecting buttons from each library branch and the bookmobile as part of the summer reading program. Sarah was excited to see that the bookmobile visited Catawba.

“I used to live out in Little Catawba Creek Road when I was a teenager and to know that, like if I had had this when I was younger, I would have had more opportunities to check out books,” Sarah said.

It was great to see Allyson and Kelsey work while the camera wasn’t rolling, too. While we were taking breaks filming, several vendors at the market came over to browse what they had brought and chat. Allyson keeps cookbooks and novels stocked in the bookmobile, so the adults have options as well.

Click here to learn more about the Catawba Valley Farmers Market. Find where the Words on Wheels! bookmobile will be next here.

Of course, I couldn’t leave the farmers market without buying something. I took home a lemon sour cream pound cake to share with my family. The perfect treat after a long day of filming!

Em Poertner is Roanoke County’s Public Information Specialist. She hosts the Out of the Office podcast and Roam RoCo video series. You can email her at epoertner@roanokecountyva.gov.