New Early Literacy Bus

The new "Blue Bus" sits outside RHPL waiting to hit the road.

Thanks to the overwhelming approval of a new millage from Rochester Hills voters, Rochester Hills Public Library is pleased to announce its new early literacy bookmobile. Local dignitaries and library staff will cut the ribbon on “The Blue Bus” at RHPL’s Summer Reading kickoff event on Saturday, June 14, at 11:45 a.m.

Inviting former teachers, parents, and Blue Bus students to the event, Head of Outreach Services Mary Davis said, “After 13 years of dedicated service, this well-loved library branch was long overdue for an upgrade. We are so pleased to introduce the new vehicle to the public, especially to the preschoolers and teachers who make this service so worthwhile.”

The early literacy bus began service in 2012 when RHPL purchased a used 2001 Ford ELF with a bequest from the Doris & Charles Edie Estate. It originally visited eight childcare centers and preschools in our service area. Currently, RHPL visits 17 facilities regularly, and in 2024, served 26,527 children and teachers.

The blue bus extends RHPL’s early literacy services, collections, and programs to preschoolers and teachers in Rochester, Rochester Hills, and Oakland Township. An early literacy librarian provides storytimes and a collection for students to choose their own materials for checkout and for teachers to extend their classroom library. In the summer, the bus visits the RCS Summer Camp, extending its reach to school-aged kids and allowing RHPL to provide books and summer reading programs for those students who might not get to the library, a critical step in combating the summer slide. 

Sporting an in-house design that emphasizes the five practices of early literacy, the custom Winnebago will seamlessly take over the blue bus schedule without disrupting service. Galvanized by the approval from voters, RHPL Director Juliane Morian said, “Turning a renowned library like ours into a mobile powerhouse holds tremendous opportunity for the public. Our preschool visits have strengthened the community bonds at each center and have given us insight into how to perfect our service. We want to thank our supporters for allowing us to grow.”

Be on the lookout for the bus and enjoy a game of “Eye Spy” as the cheerful bookmobile rolls through town, emblazoned with the alphabet, bright colors, and everyone’s favorite mascot, Stretch the Giraffe.