The Good Book Bookmobile ministry began in 2015 in response to a need to provide books for children in the Garden District of Alexandria during the summer. Each school year, students maximize their efforts for ten months to ensure they are reading on grade level. The two months of summer are always a welcome break but can be extremely detrimental to children if they don’t pick up a book for eight weeks. Many communities have areas that are considered book deserts, where access to books is almost impossible. The Good Book strives to create a reading oasis in some of these areas of Central Louisiana. Last summer alone, we provided books to over 245 children at four different summer school locations. We also give away books at frequently visited summer stops like the Alexandria Farmer’s Market, the Tree House Children’s Museum, and T&K Sno Cones.

Our focus has evolved from a mobile library to more of a free used book store. A study done in the UK by The National Literacy Trust in 2019 showed that children who owned books are six times more likely to read above their grade level. We encourage children to choose the books they want, return them if they can, or keep them if they would like. We keep our shelves full by gratefully accepting donations, so please always keep us in mind when you tidy up your own bookshelves. Monetary donations are appreciated because they allow us to purchase high interest books and specific requests. We also set up our first Little Free Library in the Wardville area of Pineville and are planning another in the future.

If you are interested in helping pull the bookmobile or would like to volunteer to help children find great books, please contact Emily Murphy using the link below.