Cities celebrate Bookmobile stops

PONDERAY — Much to the joy of local bibliophiles, the East Bonner County Library District’s Bookmobile is now making stops in both Ponderay and Kootenai.

Serving rural communities throughout the county, the Bookmobile operates Monday through Thursday, offering books and movies to those who would otherwise have to make the trip to one of the district’s two permanent branches in Sandpoint or Clark Fork.

Ponderay Mayor Carol Kunzeman, along with the entire City Council, lobbied to bring the Bookmobile to Ponderay, and she is thrilled to finally be able to offer the resource to the city’s residents.

“I think this is an absolutely fabulous aspect to our community,” she said. “I’m so excited. I’ve wanted to do this for years.”

As one of the Bookmobile’s two drivers — as well as its traveling librarian — Lynn Schlicht said she’s seen the Bookmobile invigorate every community it enters. Schlicht said interest in the Bookmobile grows by the week, especially when customers learn they can reserve material online and pick it up at a Bookmobile stop.

“This is for everyone,” Schlicht said.

“We invite everyone to please come and be a part of this.”

Just minutes after making its first Ponderay stop, Angela Hentges, a mother of four, saw the Bookmobile in the post office parking lot and began exploring its offerings.

A half hour later, Hentges and two of her kids exited the vehicle’s air conditioned confines with their arms full of books and smiles on their faces.

Hentges said before the arrival of the Bookmobile, she drove to the Sandpoint’s Library three or four times a year, but with the convenience of having the vehicle in Ponderay, she plans on checking out material every week.

The Bookmobile will be outside the Ponderay post office and city hall from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. every Monday. Library officials also announced a weekly stop in Kootenai, which will take place Mondays from 10-11:30 a.m. at 204 Spokane St.