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The Cobb County Public Library and the Cobb County School District (CCSD) are celebrating the third successful year of their Books2Keep summer literacy collaboration.
Through this initiative, more than 35 boxes of donated books have already been collected by Cobb County School District and then donated to The Helen Poyer Cobb Library Bookmobile to distribute to families across Cobb this summer—free of charge.
In Cobb County, reading doesn’t stop when school lets out—thanks to this powerful partnership between the Cobb County Public Library and the Cobb County School District (CCSD), an initiative led by Allyson Eads, Community Engagement Librarian, and John McLaughlin, Media Specialist at Kell High School.
“Our goal is to help kids stay engaged with reading all summer long,” said Allyson Eads. “The free books create a sense of ownership and pride in reading—and that’s incredibly powerful. Every book we give away is labeled with a special Books2Keep sticker. It’s a small touch that reminds families that literacy is a gift—one that’s meant to be shared and passed on.”
The Helen Poyer Cobb Library Bookmobile, launched in 2018, was designed and developed from scratch by the library’s Community and User Engagement Division, led by Slone Williams, CUE/Communications Division Manager. Funded by the Cobb Library Foundation, the Bookmobile was fitted with an ADA lift, shelves, wrap graphics, carts, and more—turning a standard van into a full-fledged library on wheels.
In addition to free books, the Bookmobile offers free Wi-Fi access, a monthly newsletter, an engaging Instagram presence, and provides system tours for libraries across the U.S. It’s a nationally recognized model for mobile literacy services, with demand for stops doubling this year alone. Donations to support the Bookmobile can be made using the Books2Keep Donation Request Form, and community organizations can request Bookmobile stops using the Bookmobile Stop or Event Appearance Request Form.
In 2022, the Bookmobile was honored with the Preschool Outreach and School Services Inspirations Award, sponsored by the Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services (ABOS). The award recognized the team’s innovative launch of the Books2Keep campaign, which successfully collected and redistributed gently used books from affluent areas of Cobb County to underserved communities—ensuring equitable access to reading materials and promoting literacy across the county.
Books are collected throughout the school year by the Cobb County School District through book drives at school media centers. The Bookmobile team then picks up donations in time for summer distribution. Other community organizations have also contributed, including the JROTC program at Campbell High School, along with generous personal donations from patrons.
A notable recent contributor is the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History, which has begun collecting books to donate specifically for the Bookmobile. This museum’s involvement strengthens the growing network of community support surrounding the initiative. McLaughlin is an avid supporter of the library and has also hosted several educational programs at library branches, reinforcing the shared mission to promote learning, history, and literacy across Cobb.
At stops across the county, patrons can check out library materials and receive free books to build their personal home libraries. The partnership with CCSD—driven by Eads and McLaughlin—continues to grow in scale and impact.
“This program works because of our strong collaboration with CCSD,” said Eads. “John has been an amazing partner, and together, we’re putting books—and joy—into the hands of families all summer long.”
The summer stops kicked off the first week of June at the Cobb Safety Village, where the Bookmobile team met over 800 people and gave out the first collection of free books.
As the Books2Keep program continues to expand, so does its impact—empowering children and families to build home libraries, stay connected to literacy, and discover the joy of reading. With dedicated leadership, strong community partnerships, and an unwavering commitment to access, the Helen Poyer Cobb Library Bookmobile is more than just a vehicle—it’s a movement on wheels.
For more information on the Bookmobile or to support the Books2Keep program, visit:
cobbcounty.gov/library/services/outreach-services.
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