Meet Allyson Eads of Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Allyson Eads.

Hi Allyson, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My journey with Cobb County Public Library began in 2017 when I was hired as a Library Assistant. At the time, I wasn’t entirely sure where my career would lead, but I quickly discovered how much I loved working with the community and creating meaningful experiences through the library.

Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work in several roles across the library system, each teaching me something new about public service, programming, and outreach. I was promoted to Librarian and eventually became the manager of the Cobb Library Bookmobile, a role that has allowed me to combine so many of the things I’m passionate about—connecting with people, building partnerships, planning events, and finding creative ways to make library services more accessible.

The Bookmobile is so much more than a library on wheels. We visit parks, schools, senior living communities, apartment complexes, festivals, and community events throughout Cobb County, bringing books, programs, and library resources directly to people who may not otherwise have easy access to a library branch. Every stop is an opportunity to meet someone new, help a child discover a favorite book, connect a family with resources, or simply brighten someone’s day.

One of the things I’m most proud of is helping expand our outreach beyond traditional library services. We’ve launched initiatives like the Library Perks Program to connect patrons with local businesses, grown our Books2Keep program to provide free books at community events all summer long, and continued looking for new ways to meet people where they are.

Looking back, it’s amazing to see how much my career has evolved. What started as a job at the library has become a passion for building community connections. Every day is different, and that’s what I love most. Whether we’re checking out books at a neighborhood park, visiting a senior center, or attending a large community festival, I get to see firsthand the impact the library has on people’s lives, and it’s incredibly rewarding to be a part of that.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Like most careers, it definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. Public libraries are constantly evolving, and with that comes the challenge of adapting to changing community needs, limited resources, and finding creative ways to reach people who may not realize everything the library has to offer.

Managing a bookmobile adds another layer of complexity because we’re essentially operating a library while also running a vehicle. We have to coordinate schedules, weather, vehicle maintenance, staffing, inventory, and logistics, all while making sure every stop provides a great experience for our patrons. There are always unexpected challenges, whether it’s a mechanical issue, a last-minute schedule change, or finding new ways to serve a growing community.

One of our biggest challenges came when the Bookmobile was out of service for a couple of months while it received a new exterior wrap. We were excited for the transformation because it would make the Bookmobile more recognizable throughout the county, but it also meant temporarily reducing some of our services. It was a reminder of how much people rely on us, and how important it is to stay flexible and communicate with the communities we serve.

I’ve also learned that leadership comes with its own learning curve. As I’ve taken on more responsibility, I’ve had to grow in areas like managing projects, leading a team, and balancing long-term planning with the day-to-day needs of our outreach services. Those experiences have challenged me, but they’ve also helped me become a better leader.

At the end of the day, every obstacle has been an opportunity to improve. Whether it’s refining our programs, strengthening community partnerships, or finding new ways to bring library services to people, those challenges have ultimately made our outreach stronger.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
As the Bookmobile and Outreach Manager for Cobb County Public Library, I oversee our mobile library and outreach services, which means no two days are ever the same. One day we might be visiting a preschool for storytime, the next we’re serving residents at a senior living community, and later that week we’re at a community festival or neighborhood park helping families sign up for library cards and discover everything the library has to offer.

I specialize in community outreach and building connections. My goal is to make the library accessible to everyone, especially those who may face barriers to visiting one of our branches. Whether it’s transportation, mobility, work schedules, or simply not knowing about the resources available, I love finding ways to bring the library directly to people.

One of the things I’m most proud of is how much we’ve been able to grow our outreach efforts. Since joining the Bookmobile, we’ve tripled the number of monthly stops, allowing us to connect with more communities than ever before. Last year alone, we served 20,549 patrons at our Bookmobile stops throughout Cobb County. In addition to expanding our services, we’ve launched initiatives like Books2Keep, which provides free books at community events during the summer months. Last summer, we gave away more than 3,200 free books, helping children and families build their own home libraries. We’ve also introduced the Library Perks Program, which partners with local businesses to encourage library card use while supporting our local economy. One of my favorite projects was helping redesign the Bookmobile itself. The vibrant wrap was created by two library staff members, and it’s become a recognizable symbol of our outreach efforts. Everywhere we go, people stop to admire it, ask questions, and often end up discovering the library for the first time because of it.

What sets our work apart is that we’re not just checking out books—we’re building relationships. Many of our regular stops have become communities we know by name. We watch children grow up visiting the Bookmobile, reconnect with seniors each month, and celebrate milestones with the people we serve. Those relationships are what make this work so meaningful.

At the end of the day, I want people to see the library as more than a building. The library belongs wherever the community is, and if people can’t come to us, we’ll gladly come to them.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
One of the things I love most about Cobb County is the incredible sense of community. Every neighborhood has its own personality, and through the Bookmobile I’ve had the opportunity to visit parks, schools, senior living communities, apartment complexes, and local events all across the county. We’ve even partnered with the Atlanta Braves for events at The Battery, which has allowed us to introduce the library to people who may not have expected to see a Bookmobile there. It’s been amazing to see how eager people are to connect, learn, and support one another. Whether we’re introducing a child to their very first library card or chatting with a longtime patron who’s been visiting the Bookmobile for years, those interactions remind me how important community spaces like libraries really are.

I also love how much Cobb County continues to grow and evolve. There’s always something happening, and we’re constantly finding new opportunities to partner with schools, local organizations, businesses, and community events to bring library services directly to residents.

If I had to pick one challenge, it’s that many people still don’t realize everything the library offers. Some are surprised to learn that we have a Bookmobile, while others don’t know about our digital resources, free programs, museum passes, business resources, or outreach services. That’s actually one of the reasons I love my job. Every time we visit a new neighborhood or event, we get the chance to introduce someone to resources they didn’t know existed. Seeing that excitement when someone says, “I had no idea the library did that!” is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cobbcounty.gov/library
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cobbbookmobile/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cobbcountylibrary
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cobbcountylibrary/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/cobbcat