Reading on the run

CHARLESTON - Not everyone can make it to the library, so Charleston County has been bringing the library to them since 1931 with its Bookmobile.

The bus, converted to hold approximately 5,000 books, DVDs and audio books on CD, roves all over the county and makes scheduled stops at more than 40 locations twice a month. On Wednesday one of the stops was Ashley Park Gracious Retirement Living facility on Tobias Gasden Boulevard.

"This is a busy spot, especially this nursing home," Gwendolyn Wright said.

Wright has worked with the Bookmobile program for the past 20 years.

"Our main focus to reach special kids and adults who do not get an opportunity to come to the library and read," Wright said.

"We're really glad to have them come here," Marjorie Brown said. "We'll pass the books around so that a lot of people read them before they pick them up."

Brown has called Ashely Park home for several years after moving out of Harrison Acres. Before moving into Ashley Park, Brown used the St. Andrews branch off of Sam Rittenberg Boulevard, and before that was built she used the branch in South Windemere. Now she says she doesn't have to make the trip because the library comes to her.

"We can put in for books and they bring them to us," Brown said.

The Bookmobile's regular scheduled stops allow it to take requests from customers, and lets the staff get to know the people making the requests.

Material requests can also be submitted via phone between Bookmobile visits by calling 843-805-6881. The service is open to everyone with a Charlston County Public Library card, which is free for Charleston County residents and available to people outside Charleston County for an annual $40 fee.

So far this summer, Brown said, the Bookmobile has loaned out more than 3,000 items. The bus is on the road from about 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. In addition to assisted living facilities like Ashley Park the Bookmobile makes stops at summer camps, elementary schools and childcare facilities.

Through the rest of August the Bookmobile will follow its summer schedule. The fall schedule may change somewhat so remember to check the schedule again in September.