The North Olympic Library System (NOLS) is delighted to share the artwork that will appear on the exterior of the new Bookmobile, coming this fall. Created by Matthew Fleming, a Sequim-based illustrator and graphic designer, the cheerful artwork captures the excitement at a Bookmobile route stop, with kids racing to pick up more books to read, and people with stacks of books piled high under a hammock, on a park bench, and loaded into a wagon.
Aligning with NOLS strategic initiatives and its value to offer equitable and accessible services, the design features people of different ages, genders, abilities, races and ethnicities taking part in services offered by the Bookmobile, from borrowing books and digital materials to nontraditional items like a telescope. Some design elements are bilingual with words in English and Spanish.
“The Bookmobile graphics were inspired by my earliest memories of libraries—yes, I traveled there by a wagon pulled lovingly by my mom!—and the variety of ways libraries are used by the diverse members of our community,” Fleming says. Download and print a paper craft at nols.org/bookmobile to cut, fold and create a hand-held Bookmobile featuring his design.
Fleming creates artwork for musicians (Chris Stapleton, Brandi Carlile, Dave Matthews Band, The Avett Brothers), events, podcasters, breweries, and more. You may have seen logos he designed for the Lefties baseball team and Bourbon West in Port Angeles. Learn more about the artist at www.matthewjayfleming.com or by following him on Instagram at @matthewjay.
Fleming was chosen from an open call for artists issued by NOLS in February. A team of NOLS staff and one NOLS board member based the selection on criteria such as creativity, originality, relevance to Clallam County, and examples of the artist’s past work.
About the Bookmobile
Library Bookmobile service in Clallam County began in 1949 and paused in 1981 when the retired vehicle was used as the original Clallam Bay Library before the Library moved to a permanent building. Offering Bookmobile services again will enable NOLS to provide residents, regardless of their location in Clallam County, with access to information they might not have otherwise.
The new Bookmobile is in production and will arrive at NOLS this fall, when staff will begin operations training, host Bookmobile pop-ups and offer select services at community-based events. In 2023, the Bookmobile will begin traveling throughout the community along established routes to offer materials for checkout and other services.
Bookmobile services are shaped by feedback from patrons, staff, and community partners. Learn more at nols.org/bookmobile and email bookmobile@nols.org with comments or suggestions.
The Bookmobile is generously supported in part by the American Rescue Plan Act grant provided through the Washington State Library and the Institution of Museum and Library Services; the North Olympic Library Foundation; and the Port Angeles Friends of the Library. Donations to support important Library projects like the Bookmobile may be made by cash or check at any NOLS branch.
