BRATTLEBORO-The Winston Prouty Center is getting a new bookmobile.
"After more than 25 years on the road, the current bookmobile will retire this summer," Prouty officials said in a news release, "and we will get a fully customized truck delivered just in time for our fall season."
The Early Learning Express (ELE) bookmobile program brings early literacy experiences and a lending library to licensed and registered childcare programs across 14 towns in Windham County.
Annually, it serves more than 550 children and 150 early educators.
Windham County Reads initiated the bookmobile program in 1998. The Windham Child Care Association (WCCA) was the next organization to oversee operations. In 2017, WCCA merged with the Winston Prouty Center, and the bookmobile continued under their umbrella.
"While the 1999 Chevy step van has served the program well, it is now time for a new chapter," Prouty officials said. "The center has purchased a Ford 450 Winnebago," to best meet the needs of the program, "including cushioned stadium seating for story time and colorful, front-facing book bins for easy access to library materials."
For the exterior design of the new bookmobile, organizers are seeking drawings by local children. The new design will honor the history of the program by using self-portraits of young children in the community.
The current vehicle features drawings by children who were enrolled in Timson Hill Preschool back in 2010, and now it's time for a "new generation of artists to make their mark on this treasured community resource."
Children's drawings submissions should include one (or more) of the following:
• A self-portrait.
• A picture of a book.
• A picture of the child reading a book.
Drawings must be in black felt-tip pen on white paper. Artwork must be submitted by Wednesday, April 30. Entries can be dropped off at Thomas Hall, 209 Austine Drive in Brattleboro, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
All those who submit an entry will receive a participation prize, and the selected artists will be recognized at a special unveiling event when the vehicle arrives.
Community members can follow along with this fun adventure throughout the spring and summer by visiting winstonprouty.org/bookmobile or tuning into Winston Prouty's social media pages.
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.