March 29, 2024

UMW Gives Student’s Bookmobile Project a Lift

Junior Hollis Cobb refurbished an old ambulance into Bookmobile Fredericksburg. With the help of the UMW community, he's spreading his love of literature throughout the region.

Junior Hollis Cobb refurbished an old ambulance into Bookmobile Fredericksburg. With the help of the UMW community, he’s spreading his love of literature throughout the region.

Hollis Cobb’s days growing up were bookended. He read each morning before school and snuggled in for family story time before bed.

“I can appreciate how important it was that we had access to books and parents who had time to read to us,” said Cobb, now a junior English major at the University of Mary Washington.

His high school teachers fueled his love of literature and desire to teach, so Cobb began coursework toward a master’s degree in UMW’s College of Education. But when he purchased a 1989 Ford ambulance – his other interest is restoring old cars – he turned a new page. With the help of the Mary Washington community, he launched Bookmobile Fredericksburg, partnering with organizations throughout the region to promote literacy to all ages.

“It’s such a pleasure seeing smiles from children who are excited to read,” said Cobb, who can often be found giving books away alongside his big yellow and blue library on wheels. “And their parents’ eyes light up when they discover our books are free.” Read more.