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Bookmobile will be on the move this summer

By Lauren Waters
Correspondent

GREEN BAY – The Brown County Library’s Bookmobile is expanding its services to the community this summer by partnering with other county departments to form Brown County on the Go.

Representatives from The Brown County Library, The Neville Public Museum, Aging Disability and Resource Center (ADRC), and Extension Brown County held a news conference on Friday, June 7, to share plans for the new program.

The Brown County Library Communications and Program Manager Sue Lagerman said the bookmobile currently travels throughout the county in communities that don’t have easy access to library services, such as Hollandtown, Dyckesville, and Greenleaf.

The bookmobile allows visitors to browse and borrow books, meet up with others in the community, get a tutorial on different technology devices, and other services individuals would experience at a physical library.

Brown County Library Executive Director Sarah Sugden said the bookmobile program was first launched back in 1948 to combat accessibility issues and allow library resources to reach more members of the community.

“Transportation can become one of the greatest barriers individuals face when accessing resources, information, and services that the library and other partners offer,” Sugden said.

The goal of the bookmobile has always been to create connections and opportunities – and that same hope is true for Brown County on the Go.

The new initiative will combine the ease and accessibility of the Bookmobile with a wider range of county services, such as educational tools and hands-on activities.

One of the departments jumping on the Bookmobile bandwagon is the ADRC.

ADRC Director Devon Christianson said this new program is important because it offers connection for everyone.

“Isolation and loneliness is an epidemic. It’s bad for your health, quite frankly,” she said. “And finding an interest that connects people is one place to start.”

From 5-8 p.m. on July 24 and Aug. 21 ADRC will be at Way-Morr Park in Greenleaf for Wayside Music in the Park.

It will also be partnering with the bookmobile throughout the summer conducting brain boosters, providing nutrition education, holding cooking classes, sharing benefit information and more.

Extension Brown County is also excited to be part of the Brown County on the Go initiative.

The department staff will be out and about in the county to promote new programs, have hands-on activities for all ages, and share information regarding its upcoming move to the new STEM Innovation Center on the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay campus this fall.

Neville Public Library will also be partnering with the Bookmobile this summer to share its new exhibit: Birds.

The exhibit runs from June 15 to Aug. 18.

Brown County on the Go will allow the museum to take educational pieces out into the community, providing information and activities for the family.

With the Bookmobile being such an asset to the library over the years, the Brown County on the Go team is optimistic that extending the program to other county departments will be a success as well.

“We look forward to deepening our relationships with other departments to help Brown County thrive and prosper,” Sugden said. “And to be the very best place to live, work, and play.”

Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach was also in attendance and shared his support of the initiative.

“Brown County represents 30 different departments, all of which have meaningful impact on the county,” Streckenbach said. “This is a great way for us to bring those services and opportunities to people so they can learn more about what’s happening in their community.”

The Brown County Bookmobile has always done more than simply bringing books to those who don’t have access to a library in their area.

Now with the new Brown County on the Go program, Sugden said the bookmobile will be able to achieve even greater things for the community.

“For so many people, the bookmobile brings hope,” Sugden said. “Hope for a better future, hope for a deeper connection to our shared experiences, and hope for a stronger, more vibrant Brown County.”

For times, dates and places the bookmobile will visit this summer, visit browncountylibrary.org/using-the-library/bookmobile/.

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