Get Ready for the Summer Break Movies Series and the JCPL Bookmobile

Summer is almost here! That means the 2024 Artcraft Summer Break series is reeling up to show great blockbuster movies. Classics like The Lego Movie, Minions, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Paddington, and others are on the docket to show on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. all summer. One addition to the Summer Break movie series this year is the Johnson County Public Library (JCPL) On Wheels Bookmobile. With its own collection of curated books, the Bookmobile enables visitors to check books out before seeing a movie at the theatre! Just make sure to show up before the film. You'll only need a Johnson County library card. If you need a library card, you can apply online, or the staff can help you apply on-site.

"We have a lot of children's picture books, as well as juvenile fiction and nonfiction, like Pete the Cat, Piggy and Elephant; If You Give a Mouse a Cookie; the Harry Potter series, and the Babysitters Club. But we also have adult fiction, nonfiction, and large print books," says April Windisch, Outreach Coordinator at Johnson County Public Library. "We have movies and video games as well. Our book selection is based on the most popular ones that have circulated the most at all branches."

The Bookmobile launched in November as a way to expand the library's outreach efforts and bring high-demand books, movies, and more to a neighborhood near you. The program was built on an outreach effort in which the library would bring a bundle of donated books to neighborhoods during the pandemic.

"What I like about the Bookmobile is that it fulfills two different roles for our community. We are all busy and meeting people where they are cool. You don't have to set aside extra time to travel to a library branch to borrow some books. We're trying to come to where you are so that it's easier for you to access your reading materials or any other materials at the library," says April." I also think it benefits people who are unable to get into a branch. I met one family whose child had broken their leg the day before. It's always a rough time when something like that happens. The Bookmobile ended up being in their area the next day. Checking out some books was a nice break for them to take their mind off of what was going on. The Bookmobile is a unique opportunity to reach people where they are."
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While the Bookmobile is at the Artcraft throughout the summer, it could also be coming to your neighborhood or one near you! Check out the Bookmobile's schedule to see where it stops next and get your tickets to the Summer Break movie series here. ​