Since the 1960s Arapahoe Libraries have had a Bookmobile and Librarian Abigail Sewall is driving the legacy forward in the organization’s current Library on Wheels.
For about a year Sewall has driven the Bookmobile for Arapahoe Libraires brining different types of books and other materials to communities in the county.
“I just think we have the best patrons. Everyone is always so happy to see us, and our patrons are very polite and nice which unfortunately is not always the case at the libraries,” Sewall said.
She said she loves meeting new people and she’s grateful that those she meets enjoy visiting the Bookmobile.
“I’m very fortunate to get to work with such lovely people,” Sewall said.
Growing up in a military family, Sewall said she “bounced around a lot.”
Sewall came to Colorado to pursue an undergraduate degree at the University of Colorado Boulder.
The “chatty, silly, intuitive quick thinker” is good at reading people, so she felt she would make a perfect librarian.
“I really love talking to people. I love books and I like learning, so I think being a librarian just seemed like a good fit,” she said.
Sewall said she thinks the Bookmobile provides an easier opportunity for people to browse for their favorite books.
“Something I think about is that it can take an enormous amount of time and privilege to bring your family to the library and to take that time out of your busy day with your kids,” she said. “What we do is we make the library as easy to go to as possible.”
She said the point of the traveling library is to encourage those who aren’t going to their local library to embrace reading and other resources a library offers.
“We’re getting them signed up for a card. We’re introducing them to the library in this kind of small, curated way,” Sewall said. “It’s an opportunity to tell them about more services we have.”
For Sewall, one of the best aspects of her position is the fact that every day is different as she doesn’t do the same thing.
She said in addition to the Bookmobile, she drives the library’s mobile library van which brings carts of books to residents in assisted living facilities.
“I like the variety. I like being in a different place every day and seeing different people,” she said.
Sewall said Arapahoe Libraries’ mobile services have created a love of libraries in communities as well as a safe space for children and people to visit.
“There’s not a lot of kid friendly spaces these days and so we come in, we’ve got this bus and there’s toys everywhere,” she said. “There are kid’s books. We do story time.”
She said the Bookmobile is very welcoming for children and offers thousands of books as well as many activities including ice cream making, crafts and more.
Initially Sewall didn’t think she would work with children in her career, but her current position has revealed her passion.
“I originally wanted to be an academic librarian and work at a university,” she said. “I ended up here and I just love it. I love working with kids.”
Arapahoe curates its traveling collection so that it contains the more popular books and other materials people want to check out.
“Some of the stuff that’s popular are horror movies, horror books, urban fiction and a lot of nonfiction,” Sewall said. “It’s kind of interesting to learn what people’s interests are.”
The Bookmobile cycles through location around Arapahoe County every two weeks.
Sewall said the organization is working on getting another mobile vehicle which will be a classroom.
Going forward Sewall hopes the Bookmobile will reach more people and she can build better relationships with community members and organizations.
“Something I am really passionate about is trying to turn our slow stops into busy stops,” she said.
She said she wants to determine if Arapahoe Libraries need to do more to inform the public about its mobile services.
“At more stops I want to build more relationships with people in the communtiy and really do a better job of bringing people in,” Sewall said.
To learn more about the Bookmobile call 303-542-7279 or visit Mobile Library Services | Arapahoe Libraries.