County bookmobile welcomes new director

Jessica Gayton has taken over the wheel of the Sanders County Bookmobile. "I started out as a relief driver two days a month in 2019," said Gayton, who lives in Thompson Falls. When Sandy Hough retired in September, Gayton was hired full time as driver and director.

Gayton said she worked in early childhood education and did not have experience with running a bookmobile but Hough taught her the job over the past four years. "As a driver I didn't have to handle the business side of the job but Sandy was great at helping me," she added. Hough set the foundation for a successful book service. She was the one who thought up and implemented the buying of books to save money, Gayton said.

The bookmobile is a service that provides books to people and schools who may not have a selection of reading materials. They provide services as a library would to the rural and remote communities of Sanders County. Their goal is to bring resources to every stop with a sense of community and friendship.

Books are stored in a barn when not on the van that travels Tuesdays and Thursdays from one end of the county to the other. Currently, there are approximately 2,500 books stored with another 2,500 that are carried on the van. Books are rotated and new releases are added on a regular basis. There are a variety of books for all ages across several genres.

In the past books were borrowed from larger libraries for a fee until the bookmobile board decided it would be more cost effective to purchase their own and store them. They were able to save money and offer a wider selection to patrons with more resources and new titles. The bookmobile also has an annual book sale during the Trout Creek Huckleberry Festival to raise funds to purchase additional books.

Bookmobiles are not new to the United States. Mary Titcomb launched the very first bookmobile in the U.S. in April 1905. It was a horse drawn wagon and in 1912 the first motorized bookmobiles were born. One of the first documented book services dates back to 1859. It was a horse drawn cart called the Warrington Perambulating Library, from Warrington, England. The service has come a long way not only with the vehicles used but the opportunities that are offered to patrons.

The Sanders County Bookmobile also provides drop boxes in several locations: Dixon Senior Center, Hot Springs Health Food Store, Plains City Hall, Trout Creek School, Noxon School, Heron Library and the Sanders County Courthouse. "I have a system for helping patrons get the books they desire," Gayton said. She is always searching for the latest titles to give readers what they are craving and to entice new young readers.

"When children and adults come onto the van, the most commonly asked question is, 'How do you keep the books from falling off the shelves while driving?' I explain to them how it works," Gayton said. But to find out the answer she encourages newcomers to the bookmobile when it stops in your area. "I love the driving and getting out and seeing everybody; seeing the regular patrons," Gayton commented. Her busiest stops are the Dixon School and the Adventist School in Trout Creek. But it varies as the seasons change. "Everybody wants the bookmobile to stop in their town," Gayton said. She gets patrons who use the stop as a social call. "I don't mind visiting with people. I look forward to seeing my regular customers," she added.

The last week of the month Gayton does not travel. That is her business time. She does paperwork and research online to see what kids are reading. Gayton said there is a lot more involved than what one might think. "We have a book budget that allows me to purchase new books," Gayton noted. The bookmobile also is featured in parades throughout the year, and Gayton will be in the Christmas on Main Street parade this Saturday in Thompson Falls.

"I can't imagine taking this job on without Sandy. She was so helpful. But she was open to my ideas. Even though she taught me how she did things, she allowed me to do things my way. I miss working with her," Gayton concluded.