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Dublin City Schools unveils the 'Big Green Reading Machine'

The focus of the bus is to help battle illiteracy in the community

Students in Laurens County have a new library, and this one is on wheels.

In July, the Dublin City School district announced plans to convert an old church bus into a roaming library.

RELATED: Dublin City Schools to turn old church bus into 'Big Green Reading Machine'

Now, they’re proud to announce it has been completed.

School officials say they hope the bus will boost literacy in the county and based on the reaction from some students, it’s headed in the right direction.

It made its inaugural stop for some Pre-K students at Dublin’s Susie Dasher Elementary.

Back in July, the 1971 church bus was purchased and David Kersey was tasked with transforming it.

He’s already hearing from some happy kids

"When I got on the bus it was so pretty," Elaina McNamara said.

But these students are also ready to start reading.

State records show 38 percent of students at Susie Dasher read at a beginners’ level and superintendent Fred Williams says that needs to change.

"The goal of this is to affect the literacy skills in a positive way," Williams said.

Williams says by rolling out a flat screen TV, touchscreen computers and library books into the community, the bus will brighten the future of children.

"The literacy bus is an effort to reach those children from birth to school age and to equip the parents with the skills so they can be successful in and in life," Williams said.

Some students are already planning on a return trip to the bus.

If you want to check the bus out you have two chances:

  • Friday starting at 7 a.m. at Middle Georgia State’s Dublin campus
  • Friday starting at 7 p.m. at the Madison Market

It will also be going to churches, preschools and places like the Dublin Mall in the near future.

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