Bookmobile Operations during the Pandemic
“When we were finally on the road again, one of our regulars was actually crying because she was so excited that we were back and I think [it’s good] even just as a social opportunity because it’s so limited who we can see. I think that does some good, too, to just chat with a familiar face.” – Lex Gee
Meet Lex Gee. Lex’s pronouns are they/them/theirs. Prior to libraries, Lex wanted to be an early education teacher, but an internship at the Madison Public Library made them realize their admiration for children’s librarianship. The internship experience led them to pursue their Masters in Library and Information Science from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Lex is one semester away from graduation and on track to be a children’s librarian. And so their professional story in libraries begins.
Currently, Lex works with Dane County Library Service in Wisconsin as a Library Associate, where they provide bookmobile services to surrounding neighborhoods. Dane County has one bookmobile that was created in 1967 to increase access to library services for neighborhoods with no public libraries in their vicinity. Bookmobile services are not new in the library world, but their operations during the pandemic are.
Lex has been driving the bookmobile throughout the pandemic. At the moment, they are only delivering holds and collecting items for return. No one is allowed on board to browse yet. Even with the limited services, Lex has seen a rise in demand as a result of the pandemic. Many users are looking for something to do while adhering to the safety standards of the pandemic. Bookmobiles provide that leisure activity and social connection while encouraging literacy at home. Some of the challenges have been ensuring safety of staff while they are out on their routes and preventing the temptation of browsing on board from patrons. Despite the challenges, Lex has mostly seen good come out of the bookmobile this past year.
Tune in to this podcast episode with Lex to learn more about bookmobile operations during the pandemic. Lex shares their insider perspective on safety and the importance of bookmobile services in these times when many library buildings are closed to the public. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Lex Gee at lexgee96@gmail.com.