“I love libraries,” proclaims Gary Clarke. “The concept of a library on wheels is ideal, particularly for a community of our size ... the library bringing the books to the people.”

The director emeritus of the “World Famous Topeka Zoo” (emeritus is Latin for “has-been,” he says), Gary is a frequent visitor to the Bluebird Bookmobile at 21st and Fairlawn, not surprising since Cowabunga Safaris, of which he is owner and president for life, is within Fairlawn Plaza.

“Your locations are such that there is always good parking,” he added. “And, you always have neat little themes - I love it at Halloween when you cover the ‘K’ so it’s the BOOMOBILE.”

“I enjoy the kids coming in and out all the time. Like the zoo, it wasn’t just about the animals, it was also about the kids. Look right now, here they come, the bookmobile brigade.” A group of kids jumps on the Bluebird carrying their summer reading pages. Gary laughs.

He laughs a lot, even though nerve damage is taking an increasing toll on his mobility - a degenerative process that began after he fell while climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro during one of his many expeditions 19 years ago. He was told he would be in a wheelchair within 20 years. He’s trying to beat those odds.

Meanwhile, the bookmobile comes close to his door. The moment he steps on, he pulls out his connectnow, the library’s monthly schedule of events that he calls his “bookmobile file.” Within his bookmobile file he carries lists of books that he requests through the library or interlibrary loan.

“I read ‘umpteen jillion’ journals and articles, some foreign, so my requests are a little offbeat sometimes,” he beams.

He always beams.

Article by Deb Southerland
This article originally appeared in the October 2008 issue of the library's monthly magazine connectnow.