Always seeking to expand student literary experiences through creating a print/book rich environment as well as preparing them for the adult world, Greene Early College English teachers, Emily Garris and Natasha Martin, have gone beyond the usual scope of the public school setting. Learning of the availability of Greene County Public Library’s, Rover(Digital Resource Rover), they reached out to Amber Hargett, Engagement Librarian, as a way to incorporate the services of the Rover in the educational process of the classroom. This option offered an added dimension to their experiences of GEC students.

Greene Early College. being a non-traditional but unique high school, does not house a library on the Greene County campus. But take heart, Ms. Garris and Mrs. Martin over the years have forged positive relationships with other educational institutions to assure students have access to resources. GEC students are always welcomed at Lenoir Community College, East Carolina University, and other all schools in the county. In addition, Ms. Garris and Mrs. Martin have built extensive classroom libraries through school and personal purchases and donations of quality age-appropriate books from the community. Also, Greene County Public Library has always included GEC. However, with the Rover, the library can literally be taken to the campus.

Before Rover’s first visit to the campus in January, the teachers asked the students to completing requests as to titles and subjects. Mrs. Hargett added many of these books to the collections on the Rover. Following the visit, sophomore Ja’miah. Johnson stated, “ [It] had a very good selection of books.” Planning for the February 8 visit, Ms. Hargett continues to build the Rover ‘s collection from the interest and requests of the students Plans are to visit GEC every three week. Also in the planning stages is the inclusion of the Rover to broaden the choices in GEC’s Summer Reading Program. This component is mandatory in GEC’s English classes.

One’s first thought is that the Rover is like a book mobile of times past. And, yes, it is with its book collection. However, it offers the patrons many more services from the digital world. Geared to all ages, the Rover offers books for circulation and users can take advantage of increased access to technology and a variety of programming services ranging from workforce development to digital media training, STEM education, and early literacy. The Rover has an awning that can be extended for shade as well as tables and chairs for story times and other programs for little ones.

The Rover serves Greene , Lenoir, and Jones counties. It makes frequent stops in various neighborhoods . It can also be seen at various community events. The Rover was purchased through grants administered by State Library of North Carolina. . The DRR also received community support from Lenoir County Government American Rescue Plan Act.

For more information about the Rover, contact Amber Hargett at Greene Public Library, 252-747-3437 or visit the website www.neuselibrary.org.