HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – The Christian County Literacy Council unveiled the Book Mobile during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Hillcrest Baptist Church on Thursday, drawing a large crowd of community members and supporters. This new initiative is part of their broader mission to foster a love of reading and improve literacy, with the trailer providing free books for local youth.

Francene Gilmer, Executive Director of the Christian County Literacy Council, explained that the Book Mobile trailer is a gift from Leadership Hopkinsville. Each cohort of five or six people in the program selected a nonprofit to support. Gilmer said, “We want to thank the cohort that chose the Literacy Council as their project.”

Two adults pose in front of a painted trailer for a literacy event, smiling at the camera with a Literacy Council sign nearby.
Group of kids and adults at a ribbon-cutting ceremony outside a brick building, many wearing matching light turquoise t-shirts, with a person in a wheelchair on the left and a decorated vehicle in the background.

The trailer was provided by a local business, Beaver Tree Service, and it was designed and painted by Ms. Paula Gieseke’s Senior Visual Art Class at Christian County High School. Gilmer said more artwork will be added to the trailer over time.

“This effort impacts the community because not all children have access to reading and we want to make literacy accessible as much as possible,” Gilmer told Christian County Now. “It has been a joy to work with so many people to support what we do, and it is all for the kids.”

Where to find the Book Mobile, youth involvement with the Literacy Council

A large number of children attended the event, with each of them given the opportunity to choose a free book to take home. Many of the children in attendance took part in the Literacy Council’s Beyond the Books Summer Camp, a three-day camp where children got to read and analyze books, participate in yoga classes, science classes, music classes and more.

Joey Renshaw, Board President of the Christian County Literacy Council added that the Literacy Council hopes to travel around to different areas in the community, including sporting events, community centers and other places that host youth events.

Other supporters include Hopkinsville Rotary and the Mayor’s office, who gave monetary contributions for the cause to buy books in good condition. Community members or groups interested in donating books can reach out to the Literacy Council on their Facebook page or give them a call at 270-348-8185.

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