Well on Wheels Mobile Library eyes expansion

Clermont County residents may have spotted a cozy, book-stocked bus making stops in Goshen and Loveland, but for founder Tara Martin, the Well on Wheels Mobile Library is just getting started.

Martin recently joined Good Day Clermont! to share how her grassroots bookmobile ministry grew from a humble charity into an essential community resource. Now, she’s calling on volunteers to help take it to the next level.

Stream the latest episode of "Good Day Clermont!"

The concept of a roaming book ministry may seem new to some residents of Clermont County, but it traces back to a much older tradition.

In 382 AD, the early Christian convert Jerome of Stridon traveled to Rome to revise the Latin translation of the Bible. Jerome’s subsequent travels across territories like Gaul and Bethlehem earned him the title of missionary and scholar. He established many monastic communities focused on learning and bookkeeping, and he built some of the earliest Christian libraries and scriptoria.

Christian communities across every continent embraced the methods of Jerome of Stridon and his traveling ministry throughout the centuries. Today, these librarians promote education and charity within their own communities.

St. Jerome of Stridon.

Clermont local Tara Martin is the modern projection of this long tradition. After what she described as a calling from God in 2020, she established Well on Wheels.

“I was reading a lot of different books in Bible studies,” Martin recalled. “I was going through those like crazy, and I just ran out.” Searching for more materials, she found limited options in public libraries and bookstores.

“I was sitting at my kitchen table crying out to God, and the Holy Spirit said, ‘Hey, do you remember the bookmobile that came to town when you were a little girl?’” Martin then decided to start her own library, with the goal of educating, empowering, and engaging her community with access to Christian literature.

What began as a DIY setup with fold-out shelves and boxes of books has since evolved into a fully operational mobile library. Today, Martin parks the bookmobile at community hubs like Goshen Grind and Way of Wisdom Christian School, where families, students, and readers of all ages can browse and borrow materials.

Outside Well on Wheels.

The 501(c)(3) nonprofit officially acquired its bus between 2024 and 2025 after raising nearly $10,000 through community support. With the help of her husband, who serves as the library’s official mechanic, the couple managed to get the bus up and running, only encountering a few minor setbacks.

Inside, visitors will find a wide selection of Christian books, along with videos, games, and educational materials. The system operates much like a traditional library: volunteers catalog, label, and distribute books during regular hours. Readers can return materials directly to the bus or leave them on their porch for pickup.

Donations play a major role in keeping the shelves stocked. According to Martin, roughly 90% of the inventory comes from community contributions.

Importantly, nothing goes to waste.

Through a partnership with Queen City Book Bank, any secular books donated to Well on Wheels go to 21 schools in Cincinnati, expanding the impact of this nonprofit beyond Clermont County.

Stream the latest episode of "Good Day Clermont!"

As the library continues to grow, so too does its reach. Martin says demand is outpacing capacity.

“We’re looking to add new stops. Hopefully, six more Christian schools,” she said.

To make that vision a reality, Well on Wheels is actively seeking volunteers to assist with everything from organizing books to helping operate additional routes. Martin’s long-term goal is to build a fleet of bookmobiles that can serve more neighborhoods throughout the county.

Inside Well on Wheels.

 

Another key need is infrastructure. Currently, the organization lacks a covered space to park the vehicle and manage inventory, leaving volunteers to load and unload books in all weather conditions.

Despite those challenges, the mission continues to resonate with and tackle education anxiety in the United States.

At a time when reading scores are declining nationwide, and fewer brick-and-mortar bookstores remain, mobile services like this are helping bridge literacy gaps and foster community engagement.

Martin says the welcoming nature of the bookmobile is part of what makes it effective.

“A lot of people are too intimidated to walk into a church or a library,” she said, recalling feedback from one of her administrators. “This has a very open, welcoming feel in their neighborhood.”

Librarian Tara Martin at the helm.

That accessibility has made the bookmobile especially popular with families and young readers, many of whom may not otherwise seek out traditional library spaces.

Prospective volunteers can connect with Well on Wheels through its website or social media to learn more about opportunities.

As Clermont County continues to invest in education and community-driven initiatives, efforts like Well on Wheels highlight the impact one idea (and one vehicle) can have when it meets people where they are.

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