Marlina Coomer pauses in front of each of the nine women in the dimly lit parlor at Crestview Assisted Living. Some lean forward, allowing Marlina to get both arms around their thin, stooped shoulders. Others sit slumped, waiting for a lighter touch on their backs. Light and dark hair mixes as each woman leans her heads on Marlina’s shoulders.
“All right, I love you all,” Marlina said.
“Love you too,” each replied, lightly tapping her back. Some grasped her hands, reluctant to let go.
After gathering her books and heading outside, Marlina murmured, “It’s hard to pick which nursing home is my favorite, but I really love coming here.” Reaching the door of what was designed to be a bread truck, Coomer climbed inside and got to work re-shelving books.
Marlina Coomer operates Pulaski County Public Library’s bookmobile, driving almost 10 hours each day delivering books, a warm smile or even a 30-minute visit to people who don’t have ready access to the local library—people like Libby Carter. Libby has read almost every novel in the bookmobile. Each month, Marlina fills Libby’s worn cardboard box with dozens of new books chosen especially for her. During a stop at The Children’s House on a cold Thursday morning, Marlina greets a dozen preschoolers climbing on hands and knees up the steep, metal steps of the truck, their eyes widening at the sight of thousands of books. ”I’ve never seen anything like this before!” a boy whispered. “You’ve never been on the bookmobile?” Marlina asked. “Well, take a look around!” She guided him gently toward the children’s section.
Books are a small part of the bookmobile’s appeal. Marlina’s love for her community is the big thing.
“I didn’t get this job because I’m organized or even because I’m a good driver,” she said. “I got it because I love people.”
