Fredericksburg’s Finest Hollis Cobb, Bookmobiles & Library Outreach Services

by Jenna ELIZABETH eDWARDS

Hollis Cobb (above) is still an undergraduate student at University of Mary Washington; yet he can already boast the impressive achievement of having distributed over 10,000 free books to the Fredericksburg community at farmer's markets, school and community events, festivals, and more. On August 21, 2022, Cobb launched Bookmobile Fredericksburg, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that aims to promote literacy and a love of literature through the distribution of free books throughout the greater Fredericksburg region. Bookmobile Fredericksburg also provides resources for teachers, storytelling volunteers, and special events ranging from author visits to craft events and painting projects that promote community engagement, inclusivity, and lifelong learning. In November 2022, Cobb introduced the "Fredericksburg Reads!" literacy campaign to encourage elementary students in Fredericksburg City Public Schools to read and write outside of the classroom. Cobb also serves on the Board of the Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services, whose mission is to support and encourage quality bookmobile and outreach services to meet diverse community information and programming needs.

The Fredericksburg region is no stranger to bookmobile services; in fact, the history of the Central Rappahannock Regional Librar y is deeply rooted in serving rural communities and other populations for whom books may not be easily accessible due to socioeconomic factors, for example. In July 1969, the Library of Virginia launched the Central Rappahannock Regional Library (CRRL) to demonstrate the value of public library the Rappahannock Regional Jail and Rappahannock Juvenile Center; satellite locations and Library on the Go vans to serve rural and senior communities; youth services; and kindergarten readiness programs in Fredericksburg, Stafford, and Spotsylvania. service to the region. The City of Fredericksburg donated the old Lafayette School at 1201 Caroline Steet to be the demonstration library facility and the 17,000 volumes that had comprised the Wallace Library collection. The state purchased an additional 29,000 volumes and provided two bookmobiles to serve Stafford, Spotsylvania, and Westmoreland counties. To a large extent, bookmobiles preceded and were gradually replaced by branch library locations.

The CRRL retired its last bookmobileremembered fondly by patrons as the big blue van - on June 30, 2010. The bookmobile provided a treasured service for over 40 years to the most remote regions of the CRRL service area, no matter the weather or road conditions. Patrons cherished the caring, friendly, and attentive staff members as much as they did the cozy atmosphere and nostalgia of the bookmobile.

Although bookmobiles have been phased out, the CRRL has only refined and expanded its outreach services under the broad umbrella of "Library on the Go " (above right) These services include community outreach, engagement, and educational opportunities; deliveries to

The need for bookmobiles and literary outreach services experienced a surge following the extended closure of many brick and mortar branches during the COVID-19 pandemic. The digital divide highlighted and exacerbated the cultural, geographic, racial, and socioeconomic constraints that impact literacy and education, vocational resources, and meaningful public access to information and technology.

Now that we are emerging from the pandemic, the need to expand and adapt services remains stronger than ever. News deserts, public education debates and curriculum challenges, breakdowns in civil discourse, and political polarization amidst ever-changing technological innovations are among the many challenges facing communities on a local, state, and national level. Meaningful public access to information and tools for literacy are essential to an informed and engaged citizenry.

Jenna Elizabeth is a partner of Edwards Law Firm PLLC and a local realtor. She highlights local business owners and community members to showcase why the Fredericksburg region is an amazing place to live.