Sacramento Public Library Director Rivkah K. Sass chats with librarian Neal Denton during her visit to the Wanderer Bookmobile in Murieta Village Wednesday morning. "I knew it was a real busy stop, and it's eight times busier than I expected," Sass said.

The new director of  the Sacramento Public Library paid a visit to the Wanderer Bookmobile when it docked at Murieta Village Wednesday morning and she fit right in.

Rivkah K. Sass, who took over the top job in late August, greeted everyone and assisted librarian Neal Denton as he sorted books and checked out new ones. She helped a mother with a toddler in tow to select a book her 7-year-old daughter would enjoy, and she assured those who asked about the future of the bookmobile that the service will continue. It's been a part of the community for more than 30 years.

"It's a thrill to be here. … It's a wonderfully diverse community," Sass said as the narrow aisle of the book-lined RV filled with library users of all ages.

Every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to noon, between 50 and 80 people use the bookmobile, a usage rate better than some brick-and-mortar branches, Sass noted. "It's more accessible in a sense. … I'm a real librarian, so it's exciting to come and see so many people."

Many of the library goers talked with Sass about how they use and depend on the bookmobile. "I just want you to know I love this service," said Michelle Petro, one of the mothers who bring their children every week. "We look forward to Wednesday mornings." Petro said she employs the online services of the library to order books for pickup at the bookmobile.

Sass' visit came about after Denton contacted her about the population the bookmobile serves and the need it fills. "I love his passion," she said. A visit planned for last month was postponed because of scheduling conflicts.

In her first five weeks on the job, Sass visited 20 of Sacramento's 27 libraries. On Wednesday, although her time at the bookmobile was limited because of another commitment, she was gracious and unhurried. Denton alerted her to the time, and she reviewed road directions with the librarian and a library patron before setting out for the meeting she was scheduled to attend.

Sass headed the library system in Omaha, Neb., before accepting a five-year contract to serve as Sacramento's library director. Since she was born in Stockton and raised in Manteca, it's something of a homecoming. She began her new job amid budget cuts and fiscal uncertainty. "You do have to make choices," she said Wednesday. She said a second bookmobile has been suspended from service and some stops have been cut back, but library service is intact for the rest of the fiscal year, which ends June 30.

According to the Sacramento Bee, Sass fought to improve library budgets during her six years in Omaha and she was named the 2006 Librarian of the Year by the Library Journal for her  efforts to increase library use there.