Words on Wheels
Gillean Myers' mobile solution ensures access to books.
Written by Emma Kershaw
Photography by Kit Noble
Eight years ago, Nantucket Public Schools elementary teacher and island native Gillean Myers was determined to encourage the younger generation to read more—but there was one problem. Many of her students told her that they didn’t have access to books at home. Despite having access to the Atheneum, many students found that their time was too limited to go after-hours, but they also didn’t have the funds needed for books of
their own.
As someone who has fond memories of being read stories like The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and Treasure Island, Myers was shocked at first, but then took the problem into her own hands. After organizing book donations and being donated a van by Don Allen Ford, she created the Nantucket Bookmobile. “The bookmobile is responding to [this] need and also provides book ownership, which is impactful,” she says. “The bookmobile goes to where the children are, making the access more attainable and something they can access on their own.”
The nonprofit, which delivers free books to those who need them most, has donated approximately 10,000 books to children each year since its inception in 2016. According to Myers, she donates approximately 1,700 books every time she goes to the Nantucket Elementary and Intermediate schools. The bookmobile visits the schools once a month.
To keep reading going during the summer months, Myers travels to local fairs, camps, and churches. “The bookmobile has helped support literacy on Nantucket and create excitement and a positive outlook for young readers,” she explains. “The children look forward to visiting the van to pick out a book.”
When it comes to finding book donations, Myers depends entirely on the Nantucket community. Moors End Farm has created a place to drop off book donations, and fellow elementary school teacher and reading specialist Sandy Mitchell helps to keep the bookmobile stocked with donations by assisting with pickups and organizing. Residents can also make monetary donations, which are used to buy new books and help with the maintenance of the van. Myers also works closely with the Nantucket Book Foundation and Nantucket Book Festival, where she both distributes and collects donations.
Looking to grow, Myers hopes to expand the initiative to the high school level with a wider range of reading material and even wants to include students in the day-to-day management of the program. “Having an assortment of books from board books to young adult books gives readers all sorts of reading levels and interest choices,” she adds. “It is amazing to listen to the excitement of children finding a book they love.”
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