Valerie Holbrook
It’s hard to stay indoors during the spring.
After months of cold and gloom, there really is nothing better than that first sunny day of 70-degree weather and feeling the warmth on your skin. It’s like the outside is just begging to be enjoyed, and I’m always more than happy to oblige. The community seems to come alive again in the spring. Neighborhoods are once again full of kids laughing, basketballs bouncing, and people happily chatting. Outdoor community events and festivals start appearing again, giving neighbors even more opportunity to reconnect and enjoy the season.
Neighborhoods aren’t the only places stepping out into the sunshine. Like everyone during this time of year, Greenwood Public Library is excited to get back outside and engaging with people in the community. This year is especially thrilling with the addition of our GPL Book Bike.
What’s a book bike? It’s a tricycle with a storage compartment between the front two wheels that can house books and other library materials. We’ll be able to truly bring the library to you around the Greenwood community as we pedal around a bike-powered mini bookmobile.
You may remember reading an article in the Daily Journal last fall about the book bike, as the bike was generously purchased in 2021 by the Greenwood Library Foundation. We’ve been eagerly awaiting its arrival, and unfortunately production delays had forced us to wait even longer. But happily, the wait is over. Our GPL Book Bike has now arrived and will be ready to venture out into the community this spring and summer.
You may start seeing the book mobile at some community events, at random visits to Greenwood parks, or possibly just being driven around town by a GPL librarian who is out enjoying the spring weather. We have such awesome trail ways and parks in the area, that we’re eager to get out and engage with people where they are. Dragging around tables and umbrellas is time consuming and not conducive to spur of the moment outings, but the book bike makes it easy to travel around.
Not only is this an amazing tool for bringing the library out into the community, but we also hope that the book bike can bring some fun and whimsy to those who see it. It’s hard to not smile while watching one of your friendly, neighborhood librarians pedaling down the sidewalk on the polka-dotted book bike.
I hope you’re able to get out and enjoy the warm weather. I hope that you too are able to reconnect with neighbors and find the lightness and joy that spring can bring. And as you’re out, if you happen to see the GPL Book Bike around town, be sure to stop and say “hi.”
