For some of Buncombe County’s youngest students, a love of reading can begin with a trip aboard the Buncombe County Schools (BCS) Bookmobile.

The Bookmobile, funded by the Buncombe County Schools Foundation, serves Buncombe County Pre-K students throughout the school year, providing books and literacy resources for children, families and Pre-K teachers across the district. Recently, students from the A.C. Reynolds High School Pre-K Classroom climbed aboard the mobile library to learn how it works, explore its shelves and choose a book to take home. The visit gave students a chance to experience the excitement of selecting a book for themselves while becoming more familiar with reading as part of their everyday lives.

“The Bookmobile is such a great opportunity to place books into children’s hands and give them a chance to pick out books they find fun and exciting,” said Bookmobile Coordinator Karen Zick. “Every book and every story is a chance for a child to go on an adventure, to enhance their love of reading or plant that seed for the future.”

The Bookmobile’s mission is to help develop a love of reading from an early age and strengthen the connection between children, books and their families. Zick said one of the best parts of the job is seeing the reaction when the Bookmobile arrives.

“The children’s faces light up when they see the Bookmobile, and lots of adults’ faces do, too,” she said. “It’s beyond words to be able to be a part of creating a lifelong love for reading and learning.”

In addition to visiting BCS Pre-K classrooms, the Bookmobile makes stops at designated community sites throughout Buncombe County. Families who live within the Buncombe County Schools district can visit participating community stops without registering in advance. By returning each week, children can select new books and continue building their reading skills, interests and confidence.

View the Bookmobile schedule at bookmobile.buncombeschools.org.