Welcome

ABOS is a member driven organization! Everything we do is a result of volunteers who roll up their sleeves and make it happen! ABOS members care about bookmobiles and outreach services. We serve diverse communities throughout the world. Members share ideas, strategies, brainstorms, resources and support.

If you have an interest in serving on one of the ABOS committees, please contact one of the Board members or Committee Chairs.

The Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services is a 501(c)(3) organization. Donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.

For more information about ABOS, please see the About tab.

Check out the Membership Brochure.

Give us your input

ABOS is taking a big step this year. At this moment, we are working on a brand new website and logo for our organization. Given the vast differences between us all as far as service is concerned, we would really appreciate your input on the project. We have created a brief survey that will help us immensely in creating a new and improved presence online. If you have a moment, please click on the following link and let us know your thoughts. We like to think of ABOS as a collected group of individuals - all performing in different ways - toward the same goal. Given that, input from each and every one of you is important in this process.

Again, the survey will just take a few moments of your time, and your comments will be of great benefit to us all. To advance to the survey, please click on this link ABOS Survey

2012 Conference

Join us in Richmond, VA for our Annual Conference from October 10-12, 2012 at the Richmond Marriott Hotel. Conference registration information will be posted in the late spring.

For more information about the area, please visit Historic Richmond Region visitors' guide and website.

Drive your Bookmobile to the Conference!
If you live in the Richmond, VA area or are feeling a bit adventurous, we would LOVE to see your bookmobile at the conference. One of the big draws for many participants each year is being able to visit with other librarians and their vehicles on-site. In addition, everyone loves a bookmobile, and it sure draws attention to us as an organization!

This year, ABOS would like to invite you to drive your vehicle to our conference. As an incentive, we are offering the following:
  • free registration (one free registration per vehicle)
  • fuel reimbursement (.55 a mile, up to $250)
  • free meals provided for participants during display hours (limited to two individuals per vehicle per day)

These incentives apply only to library owned vehicles and participants operating on the behalf of the organization and/or their library system. Vendor owned vehicles do not qualify. If you are taking delivery of a new vehicle from a vendor at the conference and would like to have it on display, mileage reimbursement will not apply... but you are still eligible to receive free registration and meals.

If you would like to participate, please contact ABOS President Brad Thomas by email to discuss arrangements.

2012 Conference Presentations

The ABOS Conference Planning Committee is pleased to announce some of the programs for "Thinking Outside the Walls" ABOS Annual Conference, October 10-12, 2012, Richmond, Virginia:
  • Social Media
  • Technology Petting Zoo
  • Marketing Your Library is a Full-Time Job
  • OverDrive eBooks and Audiobooks
  • Latest Trends and Technologies for Outreach Vehicles
  • Thinking Outside-the-Box: Problem Solving
  • Now I Learned to Love the Books - ESL Book Clubs
  • Rethinking the Service
  • Rural Services Survey
  • Growing Readers Challenge
  • Quick and Easy Early Literacy Techniques
  • Programming to Children with Special Needs
  • Take Away Literacy Enhancement Skills
  • How Can Libraries Reach Older Adults in Assisted Living Facilities
  • Short Takes: Programming for Adults
  • Building Community Connections with Agencies Serving Older Adults
  • Standardizing Services to Enhance the Customer's Experience
  • How to Use Your Bookmobile in a Time of Crisis
  • Fundraising Campaign to Put a Bookmobile on the Road
  • Libraries Transform Communities

Photos

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