Library Book Bike Earns Community Impact Award
Poudre Libraries is the winner of the 2022Book Bike Community Impact Award from the Association of Bookmobiles & Outreach Services (ABOS). This award is presented annually to a library, department, or an individual who has provided exemplary library book bike service to their community.
The REO Read Wagon − an electric bike and trailer − made its public debut, appropriately, at the City of Fort Collins’ Open Streets event in June 2018. Since then, it has traveled throughout Fort Collins to provide library resources, programs, and entertainment to the community.
In just the first six months of 2022, library staff had already biked over 70 miles, told more than 100 stories, and sung 136 songs out as they delivered storytimes and other programs throughout town. The book bike provides an important connection between the libraries and the community. It is used at community events like the CSU Lagoon Concerts, Bike to Work (or Wherever) Day, and city Neighborhood Services events.
The book bike is an excellent tool for promoting collaboration among the library, local organizations and the community. For years, the Library has collaborated with City of Fort Collins Natural Areas to offer programs in nature and promote biking/hiking. Programs like “Toddler Tracks” and “Out and About” have
become a favorite among customers and staff alike. Other book bike programs intentionally target under-resourced neighborshoods to provide summer enrichment and creative activities. Thanks to the Poudre River Library Trust and generous Colorado Gives Day donors, the Library District has a fun way to reach the community “on the street” and in unique locations.
This eco-friendly carrier not only reflects our community’s bike-friendly culture but also enables us to foster new paths for library outreach and civic engagement. If you see our book bike-riding library staff around town, be sure to to say “Hello!”
Anne Million Receives Jean Maio Award for Excellence in Adult Literacy
ESL Mentoring Services Coordinator, Anne Million, was honored recently with the 2022 Jean Maio Award for Excellence in Adult Literacy for her work with ESL learners and for developing the robust mentoring service at the libraries.
The award recognizes excellence in adult or family literacy programming by a Colorado library or a library in collaboration with another agency. Priority is given to a program that serves the economically disadvantaged in a setting where families work on literacy needs.
Anne proposed the ESL Mentoring program in 2018. She noticed that for many English-language learners there were few, if any, accessible, learner-driven, no-cost, personalized literacy resources in the increasingly diverse Fort Collins community.
Anne envisioned a program where intermediate-level, adult English speakers could work toward a
life goal(s) with support from a dedicated, encouraging mentor.
Over the past few years, Anne and her dedicated staff and volunteers have provided invaluable support to over 75 people from all over the world. Past participants have strengthened conversational ability, applied to local jobs, applied to and enrolled in educational programs, started blogs and launched professional projects.