SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — Students in grades 3 through 5 lose an average of 20 percent of school gains in reading over the summer, according to one survey. Seminole County is hoping to combat what's called the "summer slide" and bring books directly to the hands of students.

A big red bus travels across Seminole County, but instead of transporting kids, it transports books to the students.

Nancy Pierce is a book connoisseur, and for all intents and purposes, the “Ms. Frizzle” of the Seminole County mobile library. On any given day, a long line of students line up as the bus approaches their neighborhood.

“They’re anxious to get on. They’re excited, and that creates more excitement for us,” said Pierce.

The mobile library travels to different Title I schools in the area in an effort to combat summer learning loss.

“This way, with us visiting the neighborhoods that they live in, they have access all throughout the summer,” she said.

According to a 2022 Scholastic study, 40 percent of kids say they get the books they read for fun from their school or classroom library. Over the summer, that access can diminish.

Pierce says she’s been a part of the program for about 14 years, and the relationships gained show as many students greet her with a hug when they hop on board.

“Families that have come since their children were two, and they’re still in the system and they know you — It’s like seeing old friends every year,” said Bonnie Williamson, the bus driver.

The library is open to all students, even if they aren’t enrolled in Seminole County. There’s also a small selection of books for parents as well.

View the Bookmobile's stops and hours.