Strutting our stuff

Library Administrator's Digest, Sep 2002

The Thousand Oaks Library Cart Wheelers is the best-ever precision book cart drill team! Formed in honor of the library's 20th anniversary, the Cart Wheelers will make their debut appearance at the Conejo Valley Days Parade on Saturday, May 4, 2002. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library, the drill team will be decked out in patriotic cowboy attire for the parade's theme, "Red, White and Blue for 2002." A covered wagon driven by Library Director Steve Brogden will immediately follow the Thousand Oaks Library banner. Then a dozen Cart Wheelers and their trusty "horses" will perform their choreographed drill routines accompanied by rousing patriotic marching music. Over 22 people from both Thousand Oaks and Newbury Park libraries have volunteered their personal time to participate dressed as western characters, all designed to promote an interest in reading.

The library staff eagerly embraced the idea that was first discovered in a copy of The Unabashed Librarian several years ago. A committee was formed, with volunteers assigned to a variety of roles: coordinators, costumes, decorations, finances, first aid, music, publicity, recruitment, refreshments, routine choreography, transportation and more. For four months the team worked on practicing the routines (laughing all the while!) and preparing the costumes and decorations, creatively designed by Bobbie Radford. With hard work, humor and lots of enthusiasm the Thousand Oaks Library Cart Wheelers drill team is a marvelous way to celebrate our great Conejo Valley and just have fun.

The Oakleaf, Thousand Oaks (CA) Library System, May 2002