Bookmobile Hits the Open Road

(Chamberlain, S.D.) – Since 1976, St. Joseph Indian School has provided new and donated books for communities across South Dakota through the Bookmobile. This year, staff volunteered and were able to assist in delivering 9,010 books to 9 stops across the state.

In the past, the Bookmobile would set up shop at designated areas in a community and spend several hours visiting as families browsed the easy walk-on Bookmobile. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, things looked a little different. Each community specified where to deliver the books and gave directions on where to disperse them according to their social- distancing guidelines.

Bookmobile Coordinator Andy Lepkowski has enjoyed driving and delivering books to communities for several years. This year Lepkowski said the trip was not as eventful because he was unable to visit with all the children, adults, and alumni, but everyone who came was very excited and seemed to enjoy their time. However, the main objective was making sure the books reached each community regardless if it meant changing the delivery. “All the communities were happy to help the Bookmobile deliver the books to children and others, but it definitely wasn’t the same,” said Lepkowski.

The Bookmobile wrapped up it’s tour in Rapid City and hopes to hit the road again the summer of 2021.

To learn more about the Bookmobile visit the St. Joseph’s Bookmobile page. You can also check out a fun video featuring Bookmobile Coordinator Andy Lepkowski as he hits the open road. Lepkowski travels around 3,000 miles a year visiting communities across South Dakota during the summer months.