The St. Louis County Library rolled out its newest bookmobile on Monday, December 1, at Armstrong Elementary in the Hazelwood School District. A vibrant mobile library was unveiled, one designed to spark imagination and expand access to books for children across the county.
Sponsored by the James S. McDonnell Family Foundation, the Books Are Magical bookmobile is the fourth new vehicle to join SLCL’s fleet in 2025. Its whimsical design — featuring dragons, rainbows, and magical motifs — was created by St. Louis artist Dan Zettwoch with input from local children and selected by community vote during National Library Week earlier this year.
Photos courtesy of St. Louis County Library
At the launch event, students gathered for a special assembly and story time before stepping inside the new bookmobile to explore its shelves.
“We thank the James S. McDonnell Family Foundation for this important investment in our community’s children,” said Kristen Sorth, SLCL Director & CEO. “The Books Are Magical bookmobile embodies all of the wonder and curiosity available inside a book.”
The project stems from a $450,000 donation made by the McDonnell Family Foundation in December 2023. To ensure the design reflected children’s voices, Zettwoch hosted workshops in summer 2024 where students suggested themes ranging from underwater adventures to dragons and magic. He transformed those ideas into three potential designs, with the winning concept chosen by voters online.
The Books Are Magical bookmobile carries approximately 5,000 items across genres and age levels. Key features include:
- ADA-accessible lift for inclusive entry
- Removable seating and two staff stations for checkouts and questions
- Skylights for natural light
- A 21-foot awning for outdoor activities
- Extended Wi-Fi access via cradlepoint router
SLCL’s Bookmobile & Mobile Services program currently operates four school bookmobiles, visiting more than 50 schools across 11 districts. In 2024 alone, the program checked out over 300,000 items, issued 8,200 new library cards, and served more than 212,000 children. Demand continues to grow, with more districts requesting service each year.
Bookmobiles have been part of SLCL’s mission since 1947, providing equitable access to library resources. For many students, the bookmobile is their only direct connection to the library. With an aging fleet, SLCL has prioritized replacing vehicles to ensure the service remains reliable and inspiring.
“We are thrilled to introduce this new bookmobile, which will help eliminate barriers and open up a world of discovery and enjoyment for students,” said Sorth.
For more information on SLCL’s mobile services, visit slcl.org/bookmobile-mobile-services.