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By rdnewsNOW Staff

On 20 Red Deer Transit buses

Red Deer’s “Books on the Bus” program relaunches

Mar 23, 2023 | 10:48 AM

Bins with free books for public transit riders will once again be available on over 20 Red Deer Transit buses, says the Red Deer Public Library.

Officials say the initiative originally launched in 2016 and was the first of its kind in Alberta, but has been on hiatus since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, as of March 14, 2023, the books are officially back on the buses, and Books on the Bus committee members say they are excited to see this program back in action.

“It’s such a simple concept that has a huge impact in our community, and we are absolutely thrilled to get this project rolling again,” said Candice Putnam, Red Deer Public Library’s Brand Manager and Books on the Bus co-chair.

Books on the Bus is a partnership between a number of different organizations, including Red Deer Transit, Cosmos, The City of Red Deer, Red Deer & District Family and Community Support Services (FCSS), Red Deer Public Library, Lifelong Learning Council, John Howard Society, Central Alberta Poverty Reduction Alliance (CAPRA), and the Friends of the Red Deer Public Library.

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“We are so incredibly grateful for everyone involved in this initiative. It really is a community effort, with many different organizations coming together to make this important project a reality,” said Putnam.

Officials say the goal for Books on the Bus is to remove the barrier of access to books by making them readily available and free for everyone. They add that providing access to literacy materials is a poverty reduction strategy identified by CAPRA.

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Putnam also wanted to remind residents that Red Deer Public Library cards are free as well for everyone living in the City. However, she says she recognizes the value in accessing books that have no due date.

“The more ways we can connect our community members with books and other literacy resources, the better,” she said. “Providing free access to reading materials through the Books on the Bus program is just one more way to extend the reach of literacy initiatives in Red Deer, which contributes to a more thriving, connected community.”

The Books on the Bus program hosts a number of Little Free Libraries located in the City’s recreation facilities to further expand the reach of this initiative. Visitors are being encouraged to take a book or leave a book on the Little Free Library shelves or leave additional book donations in the donation slot below. The Little Free Libraries can be found at the Collicutt Centre, Dawe Centre, Recreation Centre, and YMCA.

The Books on the Bus committee says they will be planning book drives, fundraisers, and community engagement activities later in the year.

“For the most part, after getting the wheels in motion, pardon the pun, Books on the Bus runs very seamlessly, thanks to our amazing volunteers from Cosmos. But we do rely on support from community members in the form of ongoing book donations, as well as monetary donations to cover some of the expenses that come up along the way,” said Putnam.

Book donations for the Books on the Bus project can be dropped off at at Cosmos Community Disability Services Foundation (#1 7428 49 Ave).