Mary Mulvaney-Kemp

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If you’re ever heading down a road in Vernon County, Wisconsin, you might see a large, red and white van, emblazoned with the words “Building Community Through Literacy”– that’s RedLou Library, Viroqua’s very own mobile library. In the driver’s seat, you’ll likely find Mary Mulvaney-Kemp, founder and president of RedLou Inc., on her way to distribute a variety of books to interested folks, both young and old.

“We work to reach those that are underserved or have difficulty getting to brick-and-mortar libraries,” explains Mary. 

RedLou serves the elderly population living in area facilities, many of whom have limited mobility and barriers to transportation. They help get books into the hands of the workforce at Vernon Area Rehabilitation Center (VARC), which supports individuals with disabilities in achieving their fullest potential and enhancing their quality of life. And, of course, they serve kids and parents living and working in Vernon County.

“A two-year-old can’t get to the library on their own. Parents are super busy,” Mary says. “We can make their life a little less hectic by providing books at their child’s daycare. Hopefully this can free up a few extra minutes in their week to read to their child.” 

This can be especially important during summer break. Mary, who worked as a reading specialist for Viroqua Area Schools and later as the youth services director at McIntosh Memorial Library in Viroqua, often observed that children would return to school in the fall with declined reading skills – something so common, it even has a name: the summer slide.   

“I wanted to limit this by providing literacy opportunities for children in various places throughout the district in the summer,” she says. While this idea never got off the ground during her career working with kids, Mary knew it was never too late. “20 years later I started my dream.”

RedLou Library – named to honor Mary’s parents (Virgil “Red” and Louise Mulvaney) –became operational in late 2021. The RedLou seed money came from a sum left for Mary by her mother, who passed away in 2019. After Mary retired from the library in 2020, she started creating plans to make her mobile library a reality. 

The first step was securing an extended length transit van with a high roof – which turned out to be a difficult endeavor in early 2021 during the pandemic. But eventually, with the help of local dealership Sleepy Hollow Ford, a suitable vehicle was found, and the van began its transformation into a mobile library. 

Mary worked with Abrahamson Body and Equipment Service in Manaway, Wisconsin, to upfit the cargo area into a space for the library, including adjustable shelves (installed at an angle to prevent books from falling), rolling carts that are secured with retention straps while on the move, a circulation desk, swiveling driver’s seat, and an electric lift for easy cart loading and unloading. 

Acquiring books and funding were next on RedLou’s starting journey, as the mobile library is a 501(c)(3) and is funded entirely through donations and grants. 

“Many individuals, local businesses, the Bigley Foundation, and Viroqua Area Foundation provided donations of time, money, or other forms of assistance,” says Mary. “Step by step, everything fell into place.”   

That first year, RedLou Library used paper check-out cards with a stamped due date in a card pocket in the back of the books, with additional record keeping happening when Mary got home. It was an arduous, time-consuming process. For RedLou Library’s second year, a license to use an online library program was purchased. 

“The program provides several features, including: an automated process to check books in/out, a database that patrons can browse and put books on hold, and a means to automatically notify patrons of important information,” explains Mary. “Most significantly, I had more time to serve more people.”

Mary serves as president of the RedLou non-profit board, along with her husband / vice-president/secretary, Chuck Mulvaney-Kemp, and finance officer Mike Brendel. But there are many others who keep the mobile library rolling as well. 

“We have boots on the ground volunteers who help at the various sites we serve,” explains Mary. “Other volunteers help with processing books, assisting with fundraisers, providing ideas, and the list goes on. Several high school students volunteer during the summer. Support has been fantastic, nearly overwhelming, at times. All our volunteers are invaluable.” 

At the start of 2022, RedLou Library was serving sites in Viroqua only, but it expanded into the neighboring communities of Westby and La Farge by the end of that year. In 2023, RedLou Library served 13 sites year-round and 17 sites throughout the summer. In 2024, there were 15 sites year-round and 22 through summer. The number of items circulated through RedLou Library continues to increase each year, too – starting with 10,989 items in 2022, growing to 19,051 in 2023, and 24,041 in 2024. Plus, there are no late fees or fines for wear and tear to their materials. 

“Things happen,” says Mary. “That’s okay; we want our books in the hands and homes of our patrons, not on our shelves.” 

One of RedLou’s most recent endeavors has been establishing branch libraries at daycare centers in western and northwestern Vernon County, serviced every 4-6 weeks, depending on need.

“We talk with the staff to learn how we can best serve their children and then proceed to implement a plan,” explains Mary. “We purchase the books, bins, and shelving and provide training for using the circulation software as needed. Books are rotated on a scheduled basis.”

These additional branch library sites have helped RedLou reach even more Vernon County children in 2025.

“Recently, I received a message from a teacher at one of our new service locations,” says Mary. “It stated, ‘The kids are really enjoying your library. Do you know the joy RedLou is bringing to this crazy world? I hope you do.’”

Though it is not affiliated with any public library or school, Mary notes that RedLou Library aims to provide services that expand on already existing literary opportunities. 

“We are not trying to replace public libraries or school libraries. Those libraries do an excellent job,” says Mary. “When we don’t have a book someone wants, I usually respond by saying, ‘The public library will be able to get it for you. Can I help you sign up for a card?’”

No matter the road needed to get there, RedLou Library is proud to help provide folks with literacy services that might otherwise be out of reach. 

“It is especially important to help young children perceive themselves as readers when they are very young and certainly before they are school age,” says Mary. “Toddlers can interpret pictures, which is the first step toward reading words. We believe that if children enter school with a love of books, they will be eager to learn to be a word reader. Being a strong reader helps ensure school success. This can change the trajectory of a child’s life.”

Tallitha Reese

Tallitha Reese is a freelance writer and content manager based in Cashton, WI. She owns Words By Reese and you can find out more about her and her work at www.wordsbyreese.com. 

Community events and weekly evening service sites are also added to RedLou’s summer schedule. A calendar of planned stops for RedLou Library, a fundraising and events list, and information about how you can get involved can be found at redlou.org or by contacting Mary Mulvaney-Kemp at redlouinc@gmail.com.