Wyoming Engagement Specialist Visits the Wind River Reservation and Moby Book Mobile

Posted in: #CC/Academic List, #Health Interest List, #Health Sciences List, #Public/K-12 List, All Members

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Photo of books for distribution at the Moby Book Mobile.

On April 22^nd, David Brown (Wyoming Engagement Specialist) visited the Fort Washakie School and Community Library. This library is unique as it provides both public and school-based services. This library is in Fort Washakie, a part of the Wind River Indian Reservation, primarily serving the Eastern Shoshone Native Community.  Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, many of the public facing services are limited due to many health and safety restrictions still in place in both the school and tribal community. Prior to the COVID pandemic, Fort Washakie community members could come to the library to use computer resources and check out books on topics of interest.  Currently to enter the library an individual must check in at the school, wear a mask and have a temperature check. These restrictions greatly decreased the number of community members visiting the library.

 

To increase outreach and engagement with the community, Robin Levin (Fort Washakie School and Community Librarian) looked for a way to provide reading materials to the community at large. Through funding from the Wyoming State Library in 2020, with the assistance of executive director Beverly Hill she was able to establish a book mobile to distribute books and other materials at the Fort Washakie Post Office.

Photo of trailer that holds the books.

 

The post office provides an excellent place to set up the book mobile as this is the only

place members of the community can come to get their mail.  Robin and Beverly engage with all people coming and going to the post office and encourage them to take books on topics of interest to them. There are board books for early readers to novels for adult readers. The book mobile is open from 11:00 AM to 2:30 PM on Fridays.

Sign promoting the book mobile.

 

The NNLM Region 4 provided funding to the book mobile to purchase health related materials and books to be distributed. These books and materials are popular among the community members and provides additional titles for distribution from the book mobile. The community members appear to be happy with the selection and many books are distributed every Friday.

Some of the titles purchased with NNLM R4 funds.

 

While visiting, David received a tour of the library and cultural center with Robin. He also had the opportunity to do story time with a first-grade class. The photos bellow showcase some of the highlights from the school and cultural center.

Photo of the Fort Washakie School and Community Library

 

David reading (There is a Bird on my Head)  a book to the first-grade class. Photo taken by Robin Levin.

Photo of Robin showing first-graders birds’ nests.

Photo of Fort Washakie Cultural Center

If you would like to learn more about the Moby Book Mobile, please feel free to reach out to David Brown. Also, if you have a project you would like the NNLM Region 4 to consider for funding, we would be delighted to talk with you as our funding opportunities should be opening on May 1^st.