Book Bike Week

Posted on in Posts in 2020 by Brodart

Book Bike Week, sponsored by the Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services (ABOS), was launched to showcase the extraordinary efforts libraries are undertaking to serve their communities through book bike programs. The first annual Book Bike Week, which ran from August 3-7, 2020, celebrated 50+ book bike programs throughout the United States and the world. ABOS was inspired to spearhead Book Bike Week as a way to reach people who are providing outreach to their communities, but might not have heard of ABOS before.

Libraries are finding creative ways to participate in this growing movement. Check out some featured programs below.

Street Books, Portland, Oregon

"Street Books is a mobile library utilizing customized tricycles that serves homeless people in Portland, Oregon. It also serves low-income residents of the community, including day laborers and immigrants. It was founded in June 2011 by Laura Moulton, an artist, writer, and writing teacher from Portland. Their primary mission is providing books, reading materials, and reading glasses to neighbors without a fixed address. There are no institutional barriers to participating. It is an honor library for those without access to the public library system. Read more on the Street Books website."



Denver Public Library, Denver, Colorado

“Wheelie the Book Bike is Denver Public Library’s (Colorado) dynamic, pedal-powered ambassador to the Denver community. Wheelie provides outreach for the library and offers a wide range of services including reader’s advisory, library card registration, eResource education, and circulation services. This mobile library sparks the imagination wherever it rolls, bringing together bike enthusiasts, library boosters, and lovers of the fantastic; Wheelie has something to offer everyone!

Wheelie pops up at local festivals, craft fairs, and block parties all over town. Shrewd watchers may spot Wheelie at schools, leading a bike parade, or greeting commuters at Union Station. Kids love the magic, library fans love the surprise encounter with a favorite community asset, and a new generation of library users are energized when we meet them where they are.

Denver Public Library has been providing library outreach by bike since 2013, when we entered the scene astride the prototype ‘DPL Connect’ tricycle. The success of this program led us to launch Wheelie, a safer, more flexible bike and trailer combo with greater range and style to spare.

It is our mission to expand the reach of the library to surprising and unconventional locations, to meet new customers where they live and play, and to provide vibrant library service no matter how remote our path takes us.”


Thomas County Public Library System, Thomasville, Georgia

“Our bike is a one-speed cruiser bike with a small reading nook on the back. We use this to visit various locations such as the local Y, Girls & Boys Center, and our downtown Main Street to bring a curated, mini selection of our collection for the community/kids to browse and check out. We usually park for about an hour at locations to entice browsers into library users. We have also ridden in surrounding cities parade events and the high schools' football halftime.”



Oak Park Public Library, Oak Park, Illinois

“The Oak Park Public Library has been pedaling their Book Bike (the 'Paperback Rider') across the village for five straight years, increasing access to resources and programs outside library walls. In a normal season, the Book Bike visits Oak Park schools, apartment complexes, festivals, free lunch sites, summer camps, senior centers, neighborhood block parties, and more!

Visitors to the Book Bike can check out materials, sign up for library cards, earn Summer Reading Program prizes, take part in pop-up programming, and build relationships with library staff and neighbors. In 2019, the Paperback Rider spent over 140 hours out in the community during 94 different outings. While the current season is on hold to ensure staff and patron safety, you can learn more about Oak Park's Book Bike at oppl.org/bike and by following along on social media with #opbookbike.”


Richland Library, Columbia, South Carolina

“Richland Library, Columbia, SC, takes their Access Freely Trikes into the community for a fresh and fun way to connect with customers. Whether sharing books or crafts at an event like Parking Day or riding along in support at the Famously Hot SC PRIDE Festival’s Get Lit Nighttime Parade, Richland Library staff love to use the Access Freely Trikes to spread library cheer and book joy!”



Scottsdale Public Library, Scottsdale, Arizona

“Scottsdale Public Library (SPL), located in sunny Scottsdale, Arizona, purchased its first ever book bike in summer 2019. The one-of-a-kind bike was custom designed and specifically made with Scottsdale's western heritage in mind. The community was involved in a naming contest for the bike, and in fall of 2019, the bike was officially named ‘The Loan Ranger.’ The Loan Ranger has since participated in numerous community events and garnered much interest due to its unique nature. The second phase of this project will be to allow the people to request the book bike at community functions in order to highlight the importance of libraries in the community.”



Rochester Public Library, Rochester, New York

“Since its debut in May 2015, Books by Bike has been out and about in the community many times. Outings have included events like local Farmers’ Markets, community festivals, parades, and others. Books by Bike has helped RPL staff reach people who might not be able to travel to the library or who might not even be aware of the library and its services.

During Books by Bike outings, RPL staff can create new library cards and provide other circulation transactions (charges or returns of library materials). And, they can give away books–mostly to children–and also provide general library information to people.”

You can read more about Book Bike Week on ABOS' Facebook page.