As of yesterday, I have switched from being a librarian at a small-town library to join the Bookmobile staff at a larger town's library. To any readers in a truly urban setting, all towns out here are small, but this town is a center of economic and cultural activity for the area and this library is the nerve center for a district that spans two counties. We also belong to a larger overarching network that extends across several more counties and crosses a state line. You're missing out if your only experience is with urban libraries.

Technically, the Outreach Department is more than just the Bookmobile, but people know what I mean when I refer to the iconic vehicle. I will not actually be driving said iconic vehicle, because I do not have a Commercial Driver's License. I may, however, drive a smaller van used to deliver large-print books to several retirement homes and assisted living facilities. I will also be helping the bookmobile staff at busy stops when there are regularly a lot of people. During the summer, I will also probably help with book giveaways at public events like town festivals and parades all over the region.

<center>![bookmobile](https://media.glassdoor.com/l/e4/a9/aa/30/kpl-bookmobile.jpg)
*I do not actually work for the Kenosha Public Library, but our bookmobile is a similar model. Image courtesy of [glassdoor.com](https://www.glassdoor.com/Photos/Kenosha-Public-Library-Office-Photos-IMG210714.htm)*</center>

Yesterday did not involve any travel though. Fridays are apparently devoted to office work. This particular library is the hub for the library network's courier system, and the first job of the day was pulling books and other media that patrons had placed on hold for delivery to other libraries. Items can be shelved anywhere in the overflow collection, the bookmobile, and the delivery van, so there was a lot of searching to complete the listed hold requests.

There were also deliveries from the courier to our department. Most were books we had previously sent out that had been returned, but some were also deliveries for people who had placed holds at various delivery locations. There is a wall full of shelves in the office labeled for various stops on various days, and one of the harder challenges to this job will be learning which stops have which shelves, and on which days these are sent out for delivery.

Of course, some of the items being returned had been damaged. Some had only minor stains that needed to be noted, but a couple had severely torn pages. At the library where I used to work, I would have gone to the back room to repair these books myself, but at this new location there are staff members in a dedicated area who do that. It feels a bit strange to move someplace where there is enough room and enough staff for that level of specialization.

After the New Year holiday break, I will start tagging along with the Bookmobile on one of its school routes where it is swarmed by small children eager to deplete its shelves. There is hope for future generations as long as there are eager readers hungry for knowledge.

<center>![repair](https://c5.staticflickr.com/4/3184/3077815364_a1c24b2183_b.jpg)
*I also do not work for the Manchester City Library, but library book repair areas are also all similarly stocked. Image via [Flickr.](https://www.flickr.com/photos/manchesterlibrary/3077815364)*</center>

The biggest risk in moving to a new job, though, is the co-workers. Personalities may clash. Personal habits may be annoying. Hazing or harassment may occur. Fortunately for me, libraries seem draw a generally consistent set of personalities, and I have met many of the people in this department before at library district events. There's even a small chance that my skills learned in a smaller library environment will prove useful to the group. Surprise was expressed at my knowledge of book repair, for example, and the department manager seems enthusiastic about my ability to use promotional media and social networking. I will also probably be helping launch some arts and crafts programs intended to attract more participation at some of the bookmobile and van stops, so that should be fun.

As the new year approaches, remember that change can be good. You don't have to embrace it, but it isn't always a problem, and sometimes there can be massive benefits. Analyze risks, but know when to take that next step, and do so with confidence. I am looking forward to this new job that came along with the new year, and I wish the best for anyone reading this, too.