Rutherford County, TN - Rutherford County residents might soon spot a familiar yellow bus cruising through town—but it’s not headed to school. Thanks to a generous donation from Murfreesboro City Schools and funding from the Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation, the Rutherford County Library System (RCLS) has acquired and repaired a decommissioned school bus that’s now on its way to becoming the county’s second Bookmobile. It's also no longer yellow. It's wrapped to display a 

The bus, which was recently made roadworthy, represents a major step forward in RCLS’s mission to bring books and resources directly to the community. While the interior hasn’t yet been transformed into a full-fledged mobile library, the bus will be making appearances around town as part of a campaign to let residents follow its journey from school bus to Book Bus.

Michael Cleaves, Bookmobile Coordinator for RCLS, couldn’t be more thrilled. “The RCLS Bookmobile program has grown significantly in recent years, thanks to the incredible support of our community,” he said. “Demand for mobile library services continues to rise, and this second vehicle will allow us to better serve schools, neighborhoods, and rural areas throughout Rutherford County.”

The original Bookmobile has already made a big impact, bringing books, story times, and educational resources to places that might not have easy access to a traditional library. With this second vehicle, RCLS hopes to expand its reach even further, especially in underserved areas.

Cleaves also expressed deep gratitude to the partners who made this possible. “We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Murfreesboro City Schools and the Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation for their generous contributions,” he said. “Their support has made it possible for us to take this first exciting step toward expanding library access across our community.”

As the transformation continues, RCLS is actively seeking additional funding and partners to help complete the interior build-out. The goal is to create a fully functional mobile library that reflects the needs and spirit of Rutherford County—and they’re inviting the community to be part of the journey.