From the Book Bank to the Bookmobile: Lessons in Literacy and Community

Hi readers! My name is Daniel Field, and I have the honor of serving the Maryland Book Bank as a writing intern during the first semester of my junior year in college at Loyola University of Maryland. I'm currently in my second month working for the Maryland Book Bank, and between sorting books in the warehouse, supporting kids during Bookmobile visits at schools, and writing social media packages, I've had a lot of fun.

The Maryland Book Bank is an organization engaged with its communities like none other. One of my first experiences as an intern was supporting my co-workers during a visit to a public school in Baltimore City. The first thing I remembered as I approached the parking lot in the back of the school was hearing excited screams such as "the Bookmobile is here!", "the books are free?!", and "I get to go first!". I watched as my co-workers took on the growing avalanche of children barreling towards the stocked shelves of the bookmobile.

These visits with the Maryland Book Bank have proven to me how impactful books can be for children's growth, development, and creativity. One of my jobs as a writing intern is to find energetic and talkative kids to interview about their experience with the book bank and the books they read. A few weeks ago, I was helping a little boy find his tenth free book from the Bookmobile. After reaching the end of the pile, I found a Captain Underpants book. As soon as I showed it to him, his eyes lit up, and he eagerly shoved it in his Maryland Book Bank drawstring bag. Right before he followed his class line into the school, I asked

him what made him so excited about reading. He turned to me with a huge smile on his face, and replied, "books help increase my knowledge and pursue my interests!".

Memorable moments like these have made me feel connected the most to the Maryland Book Bank. Being able to take part in such an extraordinary organization that prioritizes education, literacy, and language skills for children has shown me how impactful a team of passionate and mission-driven leaders can be. Simply witnessing the impact the Maryland Book Bank makes on their communities has reinforced my conviction to make a difference in my Baltimore community.