EPL Book Bus gives away thousands of books
Children throughout the community took home more than 6,000 books this year, a measure of success for Elkhart Public Library’s Book Bus.
The free books program, which ensures kids have reading material appropriate for their age and skill level, is wrapping up its fifth year of visiting schools, festivals and more.
“The kids get so excited,” says Heather Snyder, assistant director at Growing Kids Learning Center in Elkhart. “They all wait very, very patiently, and they go in the Book Bus five at a time, and then they sit and look at the books they picked out.”
Growing Kids hosts the Book Bus for various programs and events, including their end-of-summer party in August.
“It’s great just to be able to get a book in their hands. For the families who don’t have the resources to get a book, to put a book into their home, that’s why we love it,” she says. “It’s just another resource for parents to incorporate reading into their home.”
Parents reading to their kids, even from a young age before kids can read themselves, helps to develop language skills. Research shows that children who have books of their own to read over and over are stronger readers.
“Studies show that reading levels improve more when students are free to chose the books they read, compared to books chosen by teachers or parents,” says Allison McLean, children’s department head for EPL. “When kids own their own books, especially books they have chosen, they are more likely to enjoy the reading experience.”
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The library invests in the Book Bus program because a lack of reading material in homes is one of the biggest hurdles to childhood literacy.
“All these things lead to more enjoyment of reading, which leads to more time spent reading and more reading skill improvement,” Allison says.
Since the program began in 2020 its given away over 25,000 books to kids in Elkhart and the surrounding areas.
“Reading helps children in so many ways. Learning how to say words, learning new words. Books can help kids that are going through a tough time or having difficulties,” Heather says. “We use them a lot for children that are having trouble sharing or adjusting to a new sibling at home. Books can be incorporated in so many ways.”
The Book Bus appeared across the area at events like the Elkhart County 4-H Fair, Elkhart City Parks and Recreation neighborhood socials, back-to-school events with the Elkhart Chapter of Indiana Black Expo, and the Minority Health Coalition. Library staff also held pop-up events to bring services directly to neighborhoods.
A stop at the parks department’s summer camp showcased how books bring people together, says Alayna Kingsbury, assistant camp director.
“Our camp had been going on for a few weeks and friendships had already formed. So watching campers find a common interest in book genres was not something any of our staff could have predicted,” she says. “The kids loved their time with the bus and even brought back their books to read throughout free time during camp.”
Book Bus awareness was strengthened this year by adding a sound system to let neighbors know it’s in the area, like an ice cream truck. And through the generosity of Lippert Components Inc., a retractable awning was added to the bus.
The sound system played songs like the “Reading Rainbow” and “Arthur” themes during the Elkhart Chapter of Indiana Black Expo’s Southside Parade in August.
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“I think that having the Book Bus out at our events and other public events is a great thing, especially now at a time where social media has taken over and having a library card hasn’t been a priority like it was when I was a kid,” says Robert Taylor, vice chairman for the Northern Region of the Indiana Black Expo.
The Book Bus carries books in English and Spanish, as well as bilingual titles for homes where the two languages are used.
“The children were able to ask EPL staff questions and work together to find a book that they were interested in taking,” Alayna says.
Plans for the Book Bus and to put books into the hands of even more kids continue in an ongoing effort to make reading accessible to all.
“We appreciate that the library even offers something like this. It’s just awesome,” says Heather.
Your donation of $9 provides three more books to kids in our community. For corporate partnership opportunities with the Book Bus, call 574-522-5669 ext. 1705.
<< Click here to support the Book Bus this Giving Tuesday >>