Library Lines: Contra Costa branches come to you in new Rolling Reader
The early-literacy-outreach, all-electric van will visit underserved communities across the county and provide services to children.
The Contra Costa County Library system has a new outreach van called the Rolling Reader. The all-electric, early-literacy-outreach van will visit underserved communities across the county.
The Rolling Reader, which is not to be confused with a bookmobile, will visit partner organizations suchas First 5, HeadStart and Monument Crisis Center as well as various family-oriented community events. Library staff will present storytimes, hand out free books and crafts and provide activities focused on early literacy, small motor skills and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
The library system has 26 branches across the county, but many residents can’t easily access any of them. Some may live too far from a branch, not have access to reliable transportation or have to work when branches are open.
The Rolling Reader lets the library prioritize providing literacy services to children from infants to 5 years old in vulnerable communities impacted by poverty. Research has found that early and positive experiences with books set the stage for a child’s success in learning to read.
Also, literacy skills are a strong predictor of health, employment status and overall success in life. Providing storytimes and crafts for young children will encourage regular exposure to reading and books, thus improving the potential success in life for many children and families.
“We recognized that to reach all our communities, we needed to get out of our buildings and take our services to the residents who need them most,” said County Librarian Alison McKee, who leads the whole Contra Costa system. “The goal of the Rolling Reader is to instill a lifelong habit of reading and love for libraries.”
Funding for the outreach van was provided by the Bella Vista Foundation and MCE Community Choice Energy. Staffing for the outreach van is provided by Measure X, a half-cent county sales tax that Contra Costa voters passed in November 2020.
“Early childhood services are one of our county’s top priorities,” said Supervisor John Gioia, who chairs the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors. “The new library outreach van and early literacy program will improve the lives of many children by making these opportunities easily accessible.”
You can see an online video of the Rolling Reader on our YouTube channel at bit.ly/3MQi1zb.
December events
FixIt Clinic: 11 a.m. Dec. 2 at the Hercules Library. Drop by for a do-it-together, hands-on, fix-and-learn, community-based exploration and discovery workshop staffed by volunteer FixIt Coaches who generously share their time, tools and expertise to consult with you on the disassembly, troubleshooting and repair of various items.
Bring your broken, nonfunctioning things like electronic gadgets, appliances, computers, toys, sewing machines, bicycles, fabric items and more. FixIt coaches (and helpful neighbors) will be available for consultation.
Mike the Magician’s Winter Magic Show: 3:30 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Martinez Library. Mike created this show inspired by the most magical season of the year — a time of shorter days, colder nights and annual celebrations of light.
Winner of the 2023 Oakland Magic Circle Stage Competition, his shows are equal parts playful and astonishing and are known for captivating the 3-to-7-year-old crowd with laughter and plenty of participation.
Noon Year’s Eve Party: Dec. 30 at the Antioch, Danville, Hercules and Pinole libraires; check the event calendar for specific times. Your little ones won’t have to stay up past bedtime for this New Year’s Eve party. Celebrate the year’s end at noon with a festive party for our toddler and preschool friends.
Visit ccclib.org to sign up for a library card and get connected to books and resources. For questions about Contra Costa library services and programming or account information, contact the library system via online chat, email ask@library.cccounty.us or text questions to 925-290-7627.
Brooke Converse is the Contra Costa County Library system’s public information officer and can be reached at brooke.converse@library.cccounty.us.