Bookmobile Driver: My Life on the Road

Published on October 28, 2025

Child browsing the bookmobile easy reader collection looking for their next read.

By Tricia B.

Do you remember visiting the Bookmobile growing up?

When I get to take the Bookmobile out to public stops and outreach events, I often hear people reminisce about visiting their local Bookmobile as a child. I remember visiting one as a kid myself and the excitement of getting to pick out a new book from the Boxcar Children series or Sweet Valley Twins.

Customers lining up for the bookmobile at the annual touch a truck event with a full rainbow in the sky behind the bookmobile

 

When I was first hired and told that my duties would include driving the Bookmobile, I was excited—until I saw the 28-foot truck. Then I thought, “What did I agree to?”.

While driving a vehicle that large can be an "adventure," especially during summer construction, the joy of seeing the customers we serve with our mobile library makes it so worth it. Serving people from all over Minnehaha County has become one of my favorite parts of my job.

Siouxland Libraries’ Bookmobile drives to local events, schools, assisted living communities, daycares, and more. Our Bookmobile served over 10,000 customers in 2024 and had a total circulation of 43,500 materials.

The colorful Siouxland Libraries Bookmobile.

 

The school and daycare stops are especially fun. Kids love to wave at the Bookmobile, which makes me feel as popular as the garbage truck driver! I also love connecting a child with the just-right book and seeing what is popular each year with every age group. When they’re not telling me they love “the library on wheels,” kids ask me funny questions like “Why do you have a fridge?” and “Do you live in here?”

Even though our Bookmobile collection is smaller than our brick-and-mortar branches, we are able to place holds and bring items from all over Siouxland to our customers. We really can bring books to the people.

If you see the Bookmobile out and about, I hope that you get a chance to say hello and see what we have to offer: Bookmobile Schedule.

If you are interested in setting up a Bookmobile stop, please send us an email!