FL Mobile Bookstore Becomes Nonprofit, Gives Away Free Books

LAKELAND, FL — A mobile bookshop in Lakeland recently shifted gears by becoming a nonprofit organization and changing its name — and it’s in dire need of book donations.

The No Covers Free Mobile Bookshop, formerly Little Bus Books, changed its business structure to a 501c3 nonprofit as a way to further its mission of “providing literacy materials throughout the community,” owner Lynsey Pippen told Patch.

The book bus formed out of the COVID-19 pandemic, initially selling books at community markets and events throughout the greater Tampa Bay area.

“But the goal was always to become a nonprofit,” she said.

All profits from book sales goes into funding its work in the community. The bus gives away books through partnerships with other organizations, such as The Rose Dynasty Foundation and The Mission of Winter Haven.

“We try to add value to the programs and projects they’re already doing,” Pippen said.

It’s more than simply handing out free books, she added. “We stay. We get to know them. We don’t just give out books and leave. We want to get to know the people we’re working with.”

They frequently take requests for books to bring back the next time they visit a specific location. And they often offer additional programming. For instance, when they visited The Rose Dynasty Foundation for Banned Books Week, the bus hosted a scavenger hunt and banned books bingo.

“We wanted to educate people so they can make their own decisions,” Pippen said.

The nonprofit’s new name, No Covers, is a good reflection of its mission, she added. “It fits what we’re doing. Of course, no cover charge, for our generation, no cover is free, and also, don’t judge a book by its cover. We support everybody; whoever wants to read a book, we support.”

While they’ll hold a major fundraiser in the fall, in the meantime, the bus is accepting donations to hand out.

They’re always seeking word searches, puzzles and sketchpads, Pippen said. They’re also looking for young adult and adult books, preferably paperbacks.

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