Throughout the month of July, this mobile library stops in the parks and gardens of the Nice metropolis. An initiative that brings together young and old, at the service of culture and social connection.
It’s a setup you won’t find elsewhere: a library on four wheels. This July, the bib’mobile travels through Nice’s parks to meet the population, both the young and the elderly. It’s a way to find books in a natural setting, close to home, while creating social bonds. It’s also a great way to reconnect the population with their close environment, encouraging them to enjoy the outdoors.
The mobile library system
“The bib’mobile system is a library in a bus, operating with fixed stops. It’s a local service offered by the BMVR,” explains Anne Ballestra, the bib’mobile manager. A small library on wheels that goes to meet the population in various districts of Nice. This July, the bib’mobile stops under trees, in parks like Alsace Lorraine, the Château, and the environmental house among others.
Its operation doesn’t differ from a classic library, allowing everyone to find their place. “It’s the same system as a library. With the free card, which you can get at the library or with us. We lend documents to users,” states the mobile library manager. Up to twenty-seven documents can be borrowed on a card. “And there is a click and collect system because we don’t have all our existing stock in the bus. The person goes on the website, reserves their book, and picks it up at the stop,” concludes Anne Ballestra about the operation of the setup.
A system designed for children…
During this school holiday period, as throughout the rest of the year, the bib’mobile is dedicated to children. More than just books, there are creative workshops offered to allow children to learn. “There are readings for children, creative workshops too. We are very much in demand. We also offer short readings. This morning (Thursday, July 17th, Editor’s note), we did forty minutes of reading and yet they are all so little,” explains Anne Ballestra.
Workshops that are wildly successful and are a real triumph, as explained by Nikita Ivanovic, a regular mother. “This mobile library is an opportunity to take my daughters to workshops in an outdoor space, on their local territory. It’s truly exceptional for them. It’s reading in a natural environment. It also allows them to socialize. There are other adults, other children around, so they have to make it work and it’s great. The supervising professionals are competent and caring; it’s wonderful for the children,” she rejoices.
This Thursday, July 17th, more than ten children were creating, laughing, and mostly having fun, evidence of the bib’mobile’s success.
…And for seniors
This mobile library is also intended for elderly people who are no longer able to travel to city libraries. At the Alsace-Lorraine garden stop, they are particularly numerous. The “age range is from seventy to ninety years,” estimates Anne Ballestra.
A proximity that is beneficial for retirees, who nevertheless have to do without the bib’mobile in August due to holidays. “They are a bit disappointed not to see us anymore. So we encourage them to take more documents,” smiles Anne Ballestra.
A month of August without the library can seem long for these seniors since this meeting is more than just a routine. It’s a morning that creates social bonds, as explained by the manager. “Libraries are also a place of life for some people. It’s a social link. We know the seniors well now and they know us well too. We also try to be attentive to them, in the sense that if we notice one day someone is missing, we occasionally make a small phone call. We also follow them in their lives, they speak to us easily about their lives. “
To find the stops at the end of July, visit the dedicated page.
