Hamblen County Imagination Library

05/24/2026

The Imagination Library Mobile Bus was excited to join community organizations and local agencies at the Douglas Cherokee Economic Authority Community Service Fair!

Families attending the event had the opportunity to step aboard the colorful Mobile Bus, explore shelves filled with books, and learn more about the importance of early literacy and the resources available through the Imagination Library program.

Throughout the event, children enjoyed choosing free books while families shared conversations about ways they encourage a lifelong love of reading. The Mobile Bus created a fun and welcoming environment where kids could experience the joy of books and parents could learn more about literacy programs and community resources available to support young learners.

Community members loved touring the bus and seeing firsthand how the traveling literacy initiative creates meaningful learning experiences for children and adults of all ages.

The Douglas Cherokee Economic Authority Community Service Fair was a wonderful reminder of the power of organizations working together to support families and strengthen our community. By the end of the day, the Mobile Bus had sparked smiles, conversations, and excitement about reading - continuing its mission of inspiring young readers one stop at a time!

What a great day!

05/17/2026

Students at Manley Elementary School recently enjoyed a special day filled with reading, storytelling, and excitement as the Imagination Library Mobile Bus rolled onto campus!

An outdoor literacy space with colorful mats and rugs created the perfect setting for StoryTime, giving students a cozy place to relax, listen to a story, and enjoy the magic of reading together.

PreK students kicked off the event with an engaging StoryTime session, selected a free book to take home, and toured the colorful Mobile Bus. Students loved exploring shelves filled with books, stuffed book characters, STEM toys, and other exciting literacy activities while learning how the Mobile Bus brings reading opportunities directly to our community.

After the PreK classes finished, students in first through fifth grade joined the fun by selecting free books of their own. Excitement spread across the school as students browsed through the book selections and picked out stories to enjoy at home.

Although time ran short and fourth and fifth grade students were unable to tour the bus, they were still excited to receive free books and be part of the memorable literacy experience.

The Imagination Library Mobile Bus continues to inspire young readers and create meaningful opportunities for children to connect with books, stories, and learning throughout our community!

Fun Day!

05/17/2026

Students at Russellville Primary School enjoyed a day full of excitement, imagination, and the joy of reading as the Imagination Library Mobile Bus rolled onto campus!

In addition to touring the colorful Mobile Bus, students participated in an engaging read aloud designed to inspire a lifelong love of books. From the moment the bus arrived, smiles and laughter filled the school as students eagerly explored the traveling library.

Inside the bus, students discovered shelves packed with books and a welcoming space centered around literacy and imagination.

One of the best moments of the day was watching students light up as they explored books and connected with stories in a fun, hands-on way.

The Imagination Library Mobile Bus continues to make a meaningful impact by bringing literacy experiences directly to children across our region and reminding young learners that books can open the door to endless possibilities.

What a great day!

05/17/2026

Excitement and imagination were in full swing as the Imagination Library Mobile Bus visited the PreK students at West Elementary School!

Students enjoyed two interactive read-alouds filled with laughter, storytelling, and fun participation. After StoryTime, the children toured the colorful Mobile Bus, explored shelves of books, and discovered how the traveling library brings reading opportunities directly to schools and communities.

To make the day even more special, every student received a free book to take home and enjoy with their families!

The Imagination Library Mobile Bus continues to inspire young readers and promote a lifelong love of literacy through unforgettable experiences like these.

A Fun Day!

05/11/2026

Sunny skies, smiling faces, and lots of laughter filled the day as the Imagination Library Mobile Bus visited Witt Elementary School!

Students from PreK through 5th grade had an amazing time exploring books, sharing laughs, and discovering the magic of reading inside the colorful Mobile Bus. From excited smiles to joyful conversations, the visit brought energy and excitement to the entire school!

Thank you to everyone who helped make the day so special and memorable for our young readers.

Books and Fun!!

05/11/2026

Rain couldn’t stop the fun at Career Day at John Hay Elementary School! While the rain poured outside, the sun was shining on the magical Imagination Library Mobile Bus as students climbed aboard to explore books, stories, and adventure. The colorful bus quickly became the highlight of the day, with students calling it “sick!”

From puddles to pages, the Mobile Bus brought smiles, excitement, and a love of reading to everyone at the event. Proof that books can brighten even the rainiest day!

A rainy day, but oh the places you can go...

05/08/2026

On May 6th, the Hamblen County Imagination Library team brought the magic of reading to the PreK students at Lincoln Heights Elementary School!

Although we were unable to bring the Imagination Library Mobile Bus, we transformed the cafeteria into a fun and engaging literacy space filled with imagination, storytelling, and lots of smiles. The students did an amazing job participating in the interactive read-aloud - helping tell the story, answering questions, and sharing their excitement from beginning to end. Their enthusiasm made the visit truly special!

To make the day even sweeter, each child got to choose a FREE book to take home, helping spread the joy of reading beyond the classroom and into their homes.

Moments like these remind us that fostering a love of reading can happen anywhere — whether on the road or right inside a school cafeteria.

Thank you, Lincoln Heights, for welcoming us!

Another fun day of reading!

05/07/2026

The Hamblen County Imagination Library Mobile Bus made a special stop at the recent HC*EXCELL Board Meeting, giving board members a firsthand look at one of the newest tools helping promote early literacy across our community!

Board members had the opportunity to step inside the mobile bus, explore the space, and see how it’s bringing books, read-alouds, and literacy activities directly to children and families throughout Hamblen County.

Designed to visit schools, childcare centers, community events, and neighborhoods, the mobile bus is helping make reading more accessible, engaging, and fun for all learners.

This exciting addition reflects HC*EXCELL’s ongoing commitment to expanding early learning opportunities and supporting the mission of the Imagination Library.

Through strong community partnerships and a shared vision for literacy, the Mobile Bus is creating meaningful connections with families — one stop at a time.
We can’t wait to see where the journey leads next!

05/05/2026

Excitement was in the air at the recent HC*EXCELL Board Meeting as the Hamblen County Imagination Library Mobile Bus made a special appearance!

Board members had the opportunity to step inside, explore the bus, and see firsthand how this incredible resource will bring books, read-alouds, and fun literacy activities directly to children and families across our community.

This mobile bus represents our continued commitment to early childhood literacy and expanding access to learning opportunities for all. We are enjoying having it out on the road, connecting with families and inspiring a love of reading—one stop at a time!

Interested in scheduling a visit? Reach out today and bring the Imagination Library experience to your school, center, or event! Call or send a text to 423-258-2758 and let’s get your event scheduled.

05/01/2026

Our Imagination Library Mobile Bus is already making a difference!

A literacy program that has served Hamblen County families for more than two decades is entering an exciting new chapter with the launch of its Mobile Book Bus, an initiative