National Bookmobile Day 2023: Date, History, Facts, Activities

National Bookmobile Day is observed annually on the Wednesday of National Library Week in April. This year’s event occurs on April 26. Bookmobiles are mobile libraries that convey books between communities. There are literature inside these moving vehicles. They resemble a small travelling library. Bookmobiles make reading more accessible to individuals who typically lack access to larger public libraries. Additionally, it encourages individuals to donate their own literature to the cause. National Bookmobile Day honours the bookmobile service provided in a variety of communities. The event also recognises the hard work and dedication of the numerous participants, including library professionals, transporters, donors, etc.

The background of National Bookmobile Day

Beginning the bookmobile tradition in the United States in the early 20th century was librarian Mary Titcomb, who established the first bookmobile. Titcomb desired to establish a system for transporting literature to rural communities. Her bookmobile was a horse-drawn wooden carrier filled with book crates. These packages were delivered to post offices and local retailers. In 1912, the horses were replaced by the first motorised bookmobiles. These bookmobiles visited rural and urban schools, as well as senior communities’ residences. They were even sent to people in remote mountainous regions with limited library access.

This initiative was negatively affected by the Great Depression and the World Wars, and for a time, bookmobiles were on the decline. In the 1950s, however, they made a revival. This revival was the result of the Library Services Act of 1956. The expansion of library services to more than 30 million people in tiny rural communities was facilitated by bookmobiles. Unfortunately, rising fuel prices once again cast a wrench into the works.

Due to the invention of the internet, many bookmobiles of the twenty-first century have shifted to digital platforms to meet people’s reading requirements while reducing fuel costs.

National Bookmobile Day was instituted in 2010 and began to be observed during National Library Week. This action was taken to express appreciation for the library transport services provided in communities across the United States. This event is sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the nation.

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NATIONAL BOOKMOBILE DAY ACTIVITIES

Donate your unwanted books

If you have a large number of outdated books cluttering your residence, it is time to donate them. Someone will benefit from your publications.

Write a note of gratitude.

expressing gratitude is free. It is easy to write a note of appreciation to the local bookmobile conductor or librarian for their services.

Spread knowledge

Many individuals may be unfamiliar with bookmobiles. It is also essential to educate others about the locations of these libraries.

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In India, where many villagers travelled by boat, books were historically transported on vessels.

The Kenyan government launched the Camel Library Service in 1996, which employs camels to transport books between communities.

Street Books, a nonprofit bookmobile in Portland, Oregon, lends books to homeless individuals using bicycle-powered trolleys.

In Thailand, books are transported by elephant to various remote locations.

In Bangkok, the Library Train for Homeless Children initiative has transformed a train into a library, classroom, computer car, and music car for homeless children.

NATIONAL BOOKMOBILE DAY DATES