Perhaps you’ve seen the GCPS Book Mobile around… driving neighborhood routes over the summer or parked in front of a Gwinnett school this fall.
During the school year, the specially renovated bus visits Gwinnett schools for literacy events, school parades, and other school-sponsored events. Local schools can “Book the Bus” as a part of their reading rewards program. For these events, the Book Mobile is stocked with new books— purchased with donations or provided by sponsors— that students can take home for free to stock their own personal library.
You can help put books in students’ hands by making a donation to a designated fund maintained by the Gwinnett County Public Schools Foundation. The Book Mobile also accepts new, unused books with pre-approval from district staff. Send an email to bookmobile@gwinnett.k12.ga.us or call 678-301-6431 regarding book donations.
In May of 2017, GCPS launched the well-stocked and brightly colored Book Mobile to support summertime reading. The bus traveled a 35-stop route in the Meadowcreek Cluster each week, checking out school library books to students who may not have easy access to the public library.
GCPS’ Media Services and Technology Training Department— the office that operates the Book Mobile, with support from media specialists, bus drivers, and volunteers— is making plans to convert another bus as the district expands its fleet of mobile libraries. Stay tuned for updates during the spring!
Looking for a great children’s book as a holiday gift?
Check out these book recommendations for elementary students and learn more about reading instruction in grades K-5. Our media specialists also say you can’t go wrong with award-winning books like Newberry (best writing) and Caldecott (best illustration) medal winners and honored books in the Coretta Scott King and Pura Belpré awards as well as picks from “best of” lists like the Notable Children’s Books List curated by the American Library Association and School Library Journal’s Best Books of 2017 list. The lists include picture books, chapter books, books for the middle grades, young adult novels, and non-fiction. You’ll also find recommendations for graphic novels, audiobooks, and more. Reading Rockets shares this list of recommended books arranged by theme for young readers.