Environments Study:

Bookmobiles
701-02 Group 4: Team Four Eyes
A Brief History
"No better method has ever been
devised for reaching the dweller in
the country. The book goes to the
man, not waiting for the man to
come to the book."

Mary Titcomb, founder of the first

U.S. bookmobile
Who Uses Bookmobiles?
Short Answer: Everyone

For some theyre

a convenience or novelty,

but for some Bookmobiles meet

The Reading Rocket at
a significant access need. The Denver Public Library
Six User Groups

Each of these user groups have...

a common information access need

barriers to physical mobility
(most have) impediments to consistent digital resource access
User Persona 1: Arthur

Age: 72

Information Access Barrier: Institutionalization

User Persona 2: Miriam

Age: 28

Information Access Barrier: Geographical Isolation

User Persona 3: June

Age: 85

Information Access Barrier: Physical Health (Age-related)

User Persona 4: Donald

Age: 22

Information Access Barrier: Poverty

User Persona 5: Patricia

Age: 58

Information Access Barrier: Disability

User Persona 6: Kenyse

Age: 7

Information Access Barrier:

Legs too short to reach the petals...

Not Comprehensive
Noted Barriers to Information Access:

Poverty, Institutionalization,

Age, Health and Disability Status,

Geographical Distance

Were sure you could think of more...even from the personas we just provided.
What States have Bookmobiles?
ALA (American Library Association) published list of states with the highest
number of bookmobiles beginning in 1950-2001
1950: North Carolina posted the highest number with 87, followed by Missouri
(48) and Ohio (47)
Between 1990 and 1993 theres a huge fluctuation in numbers ranging from
1,125 (highest) to (lowest )1,035.
Kentucky and California were the only two states involved in this surge of
popularity
Library Journal-September 2013
Article written by Bob Warburn
Details popularity of bookmobiles throughout the U.S.
Bookmobiles are environmentally conscious and making use of sustainable
energy
Embracing technology and physical books
Smithsonian Magazine: Despite digital,
bookmobiles are back
Tom Corwin Documentary Behind the Wheel of the Bookmobileinterviews
with famous authors as bookmobile travels across North America
Originally followed bookmobile throughout Chicago
Books donated by authors/publishers
Writers affiliated with project: Amy Tan, Dave Eggers, Michael Chabon, April
Sinclair and Daniel Handler (Lemony Snicket)
There was a bookmobile in Marin, says Bird by Bird author Anne Lamott,
that you saw all the time. I have mystical dreamscape memories of climbing
on board.
Midwest Bookmobiles
Northwest Missouri: Rolling Hills Consolidate operates two library branches
servicing two counties in this immediate area
30 minute drive estimated

Bookmobiles eliminate commute for those in rural counties

West Coast Bookmobiles
Seattle Public Library: Books on Bikes
16 Library staff members
Physical books relevant in an increasingly paperless world
Pop-up library, outdoors
story hour for children
http://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/cycling-librarians-bring-books-bikes-
children-masses-n412526 (video of Spoke and word)
Library 2Go! Outside & Glimpse inside
4 of 6 Bookmobiles each
vehicles equipped with desktops
(6 stations)
Items available for checkout
throughout (assistance from
librarians)
Conducive for all ages
 El Paso Library
The El Paso Public Library (EPPL) is comprised of 13 branches, serving a
800,000 residents (area spread over 255 square miles)

Main Branch utilizes Library Go! bookmobile vehicles

One bookmobile and techmobile currently but two more except in Spring
2014, one catered to childrens outreach.
 El Paso Library-Main Branch
Bookmobiles providing thousands of residents with internet access, resume
preparation tips, or titles their children would gravitate toward

Your-Next-Five-Books: compiling book likes/dislikes of patrons and emailing

recommendations of five books theyll read next.
Library On The Go!
Summer Route-El Paso Library Bookmobile
Runs during summer
months

Closed for July 4th holiday

Current Trends: Mobile Bicycle Libraries
Bibliocycle - Boston Public Library

Books on Bikes - School Librarians

of Charlettesville, VA

Books on Bikes - Seattle Public

Library

Street Books - Portland, Oregon

Courtesy of Library Journal. "Seattle Public Library Puts

Books on Bikes."
More Than Just Books

Outreach to the Community

Mobile Hotspots

Library Card Sign-up

Childrens Storytime

Rochester Public Library's

Bookbike outreach program.
Street Books - Portland, Oregon

http://streetbooks.org/
Street Books - Outreach for the Homeless

Becky Connor Mike

How Street Books Works

Street Books Library Card - No ID needed!

Library Pocket and Cards

No Book Due Dates or Fines

3 Trips per Week

Street Librarian Redd Moon and Patron

Bookmobiles & The ALA Mission
The stated mission of the ALA is:

To provide leadership for the development,

promotion, and improvement of library and
information services and the profession of
librarianship in order to enhance learning and
ensure access to information for all.
ALA Key Action Areas
Equitable Access to Information & Library Service is an ALA Key Action Area

Bookmobiles directly address three of these Key Action Areas:

Equitable Access to Information

Diversity (through underserved communities)
Lifelong Learning
Bookmobiles in the Time of Austerity
The ALA Motto (adopted 1892, reinstated 1988)

The best reading,

for the largest number,

at the least cost.

Montclair Belleview Public Library

Essex County, New Jersey
Photo care of Baristanet In the Towns
Call to Action: Get on your bikes & ride!

(No, not literally. Unless thats your thing.)

Join the ALA

Join the Association of Bookmobiles & Outreach Services (ABOS)
Direct Action: Local Libraries & City Councils