Bookmobiles around the world

April 10th is National Bookmobile day. Bookmobiles are an essential part of the library, as they connect the community with essential resources for lifelong learning. There are bookmobiles all around the world and not all of them are motorized!

WPL has two bookmobiles: Libby & Lilly

Libby
The City of Worcester has offered bookmobile services since 1940. In 1991, the bookmobile was discontinued. Fortunately, 21 years later the WPL bookmobile returned. On June 4, 2012, WPL introduced Libby. Libby contains collections for all ages.
Libby`s schedule

Lilly

Lilly, WPL`s second bookmobile, was introduced in January 2014. Lilly contains books, audiobooks, and DVDs for preschoolers through teenagers, as well as storytime kits for parents and caregivers to borrow. There are tablets and a touchscreen computer for patrons to use onboard.

Lilly`s schedule

Bibilioburro (Columbia)
Founded in 1997 by school teacher Luis Soriano, the Bibilioburro delivers books to residents of rural Columbia. Soriano, along with his two donkeys (Alfa & Beto) has gained world-wide attention. He also built a library in his home town of La Gloria.

ECHO Library (Greece)

The ECHO Library visits multiple refugee camps in Greece while thousands of asylum seekers wait for their claims to be heard. ECHO`s goal is to provide them with the opportunity to learn skills that will aid them as they try to rebuild their lives.

Il Bibliomotocarro (Italy)
In 2003, retired school teacher Antonio La Cava converted a motorbike into a bookmobile because he thought the school system had not encouraged kids to read enough. Every week he travels through the villages of Basilicata (southern Italy) bringing books to children & adults.

Bibliobus (Africa)

The Children of Africa Foundation has 9 bookmobiles that travel the country. These buses are equipped with books and computers, and are part of a nation-wide initiative to educate every child in Africa.




Don`t forget to log your books for the WoodReads Adult Reading Challenge! Help Worcester reach 5,000 books by May 31st! You can log the books you`ve read since September 2018. If you read 20 books you`ll be entered into a drawing for a Kindle Paperwhite!