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Long before Amazon, Audible, and other digital book distributors, bookmobiles were bringing literature to peoples' doorsteps. Their mission was to provide remote villages and city suburbs that had no libraries with books to read. We invite you to remember these almost forgotten four-wheelers of the past.

The first mobile library is believed to have appeared in Warrington, England in the late 1850s. It was a horse-drawn cart and lent about 12,000 books during its first year of service. Later, such mobile public libraries were installed inside vehicles and reached the height of their popularity in the mid-20th century when they had become a part of Americal life and were loved by every bookworm.

Although bookmobiles are still operated in some parts of the world by libraries, schools, activists, and other organizations, they are widely thought to be an outdated service due to high costs, advanced technology, and impracticality.

Now scroll down below and check the vintage photos showcasing a piece from our past!

(h/t: vintageeveryday, messynessychic)

#1

An Opened Bookmobile, 1925

An Opened Bookmobile, 1925

Numismatic Bibliomania Society Report

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Sissy Hankshaw
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

jeeeze.. what a great way to spend your life... driving around with this exactly car, bringing books to the people.

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    #2

    The First Bookmobile Of The Public Library Of Cincinnati, 1927

    The First Bookmobile Of The Public Library Of Cincinnati, 1927

    Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County Report

    #3

    A Mobile Library In Kurdistan, Iran, 1970

    A Mobile Library In Kurdistan, Iran, 1970

    wikimedia Report

    #4

    Inside A Bookmobile, 1960s

    Inside A Bookmobile, 1960s

    Bibliobussen Report

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    John Ashley
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Although my grade school had plenty of books (that you could borrow) in every classroom, our grade school didn't have its own library, so a county library bookmobile came by. Looked a lot like this one. Got exposed to Asimov, Bradbury, Clarke, Heinlein, and many other SF authors whose books they carried. Probably the only thing about school I looked forward to. Sincere thanks and cheers for the people of the Ohio Lucas County Library and their bookmobiles.

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    #5

    One Of The Library Bookmobiles, C. 1948.

    One Of The Library Bookmobiles, C. 1948.

    Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County Report

    #6

    A Bookmobile In Indonesia, Early 20th Century.

    A Bookmobile In Indonesia, Early 20th Century.

    wikimedia Report

    #7

    The Bookmobile In Columbia Park, C. 1940

    The Bookmobile In Columbia Park, C. 1940

    Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County Report

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    Fire Bird
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That book that little girl is carrying, Nicodemus and his little sister by Inez Hogan, that book is worth a pretty penny today. I just saw one for sale for $225.00 on Alibris.com. There were a few Nicodemus books out there by the author.

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    #8

    Bookmobile

    Bookmobile

    Multnomah County Library Report

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    JessPotato84
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ooh ooh, Multnomah County...that's *my* library! Wowee zowee! 📚😍

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    #9

    Book Caravan In Iowa, C.1927

    Book Caravan In Iowa, C.1927

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    #10

    Multnomah County Library, 1926

    Multnomah County Library, 1926

    Multnomah County Library Report

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    Fire Bird
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Notice the wheelchair that man is in. Today's chairs have reversed the wheels. At least that wheelchair you can recline in.

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    #12

    An Impatient Queue For A Dutch Bookmobile

    An Impatient Queue For A Dutch Bookmobile

    Bibliobussen Report

    #13

    The Library’s Bookmobile On Compton Road, C.1933

    The Library’s Bookmobile On Compton Road, C.1933

    Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County Report

    #15

    Craig Medvigny (left) And David Sutton Enjoying A Book; Eleanor Mann Substitute Traveling Branch Librarian, C. 1920s

    Craig Medvigny (left) And David Sutton Enjoying A Book; Eleanor Mann Substitute Traveling Branch Librarian, C. 1920s

    Kern County Library Report

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    #16

    Mrs. Josie Sanders, Richard Sanders, Jerome Sanders And Two Younger Children. C1950s

    Mrs. Josie Sanders, Richard Sanders, Jerome Sanders And Two Younger Children. C1950s

    Kern County Library Report

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    #17

    A Horse-drawn Cart In Washington In The 1900s. It Was One Of The First American Bookmobiles, Built In 1905, But Was Hit And Destroyed By A Train In 1910

    A Horse-drawn Cart In Washington In The 1900s. It Was One Of The First American Bookmobiles, Built In 1905, But Was Hit And Destroyed By A Train In 1910

    Crossett Library Report

    #19

    A Mobile Library In Canterbury

    A Mobile Library In Canterbury

    Christchurch City Libraries Report

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    Pi...
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And now, we step into the more modern book mobiles of the lot.

    #20

    A Boston Public Library Bookmobile, 1963

    A Boston Public Library Bookmobile, 1963

    Boston Public Library Report

    #21

    A Bus With A View, 1967

    A Bus With A View, 1967

    Bibliobussen Report

    #22

    Utah State Library Bookmobile On The Road Circa 1970

    Utah State Library Bookmobile On The Road Circa 1970

    Utah State Library Report

    #24

    Children Gathering At The Bookmobile, C. 1912

    Children Gathering At The Bookmobile, C. 1912

    Kern County Library Report

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    Fire Bird
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nice. See the tail light? Just one as they were in the day but that one, I believe, was actually a lamp. Light it and drive at night.

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    #25

    Children Gathering At The Kern County Free Library Bookmobile At Aztec School, 1947

    Children Gathering At The Kern County Free Library Bookmobile At Aztec School, 1947

    Kern County Library Report

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    Fire Bird
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    that girl's expression on the far left of the picture. Either she is having trouble reading or lunch isnt sitting to well with her.

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    #26

    A Very Fine Bookmobile Owned By The New Castle County Free Library

    A Very Fine Bookmobile Owned By The New Castle County Free Library

    Anne Arundel Country Public Library Report

    #27

    Rockville Fair, Maryland, 1928

    Rockville Fair, Maryland, 1928

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    Mary Ellen Steele
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I agree. The contemporary version could read, "County Library We Need to Keep Ours'.

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    #28

    A Circulating Library In A Streetcar In Munich, Germany

    A Circulating Library In A Streetcar In Munich, Germany

    Crossett Library Report

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    Matt Leger
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow! I've never seen a streetcar library before. Why couldn't New Orleans have done that?

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    #29

    Bookmobile At Anne Arundel County Fair, 1973

    Bookmobile At Anne Arundel County Fair, 1973

    Report

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    #30

    Sanpete County Bookmobile

    Sanpete County Bookmobile

    Utah State Library Report

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    Joni Wagner
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why aren't all bookshelves, even in-home ones slanted even slightly? It just makes such good sense!

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    #31

    Summer Rural Service, 1936

    Summer Rural Service, 1936

    Multnomah County Library Report

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    #33

    The Book Caravan, One Of The First Traveling Bookshops, 1920.

    The Book Caravan, One Of The First Traveling Bookshops, 1920.

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    Brenda Blade
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Love this. Not a lot of people read books anymore but I do. There is nothing that compares to it!

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    #34

    Books Free For Everybody, Right At The Door – If You Vote "yes"

    Books Free For Everybody, Right At The Door – If You Vote "yes"

    Hans Krol Report

    #36

    The Library’s Bookmobile In Sharonville, Circa 1938

    The Library’s Bookmobile In Sharonville, Circa 1938

    Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County Report

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    #37

    California State Library Bookmobile, C. 1950

    California State Library Bookmobile, C. 1950

    Kern County Library Report

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    Robin Jaske
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This photo was taken at the Kern County Fairgrounds, possibly during the fair!

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    #39

    Bookmobile, Southgate District, C. 1920s

    Bookmobile, Southgate District, C. 1920s

    Kern County Library Report

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    Kim Carnahan
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is definitely not in the 1920s. The girl on the steps is wearing a 1940s style head wrap and cut off denim shorts, which would NEVER have been worn in the 20s, nor did little boys go shirtless or wear jeans. The styles indicate the 1940s.

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    #40

    Bookmobile In Madrid Spain

    Bookmobile In Madrid Spain

    Crossett Library Report

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    #42

    A Czech Book Truck

    A Czech Book Truck

    KMP Report

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    #43

    Onboard The Connecticut State Library’s Bookmobile With Margaret Sullivan And Marcella Finan, 1967

    Onboard The Connecticut State Library’s Bookmobile With Margaret Sullivan And Marcella Finan, 1967

    Bristol Public Library Report

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    #44

    Chris Junapa Standing In The Bookmobile, 1980

    Chris Junapa Standing In The Bookmobile, 1980

    Kern County Library Report

    #46

    Patrons Visit The Bookmobile In 1962. Mrs James B. Wilson, Librarian, Performs Readers' Advisory Service At Far Right

    Patrons Visit The Bookmobile In 1962. Mrs James B. Wilson, Librarian, Performs Readers' Advisory Service At Far Right

    Anne Arundel Country Public Library Report

    #47

    Carolyn Herntz Assists Patrons Visiting The Bookmobile, 1958

    Carolyn Herntz Assists Patrons Visiting The Bookmobile, 1958

    Anne Arundel Country Public Library Report

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    JessPotato84
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Are those magnets announcing the next arrival? Glob, these are all so incredible! 😮😍

    #48

    Patrons Visiting The Bookmobile

    Patrons Visiting The Bookmobile

    Anne Arundel Country Public Library Report

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    #49

    A Photo Of The Bookmobile From Washington County (md) Free Library

    A Photo Of The Bookmobile From Washington County (md) Free Library

    Anne Arundel Country Public Library Report

    #50

    Bookmobile At Headquarters, 1977

    Bookmobile At Headquarters, 1977

    Kern County Library Report

    #51

    Presentation Of The New Bookmobile At The Paris Colonial Exposition Held In Paris France, 1931

    Presentation Of The New Bookmobile At The Paris Colonial Exposition Held In Paris France, 1931

    Crossett Library Report

    #52

    Bookmobile, About 1925

    Bookmobile, About 1925

    Multnomah County Library Report

    #53

    Bookmobile Interior, May 1927

    Bookmobile Interior, May 1927

    Multnomah County Library Report

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    Brent Sarazin
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow. The leather straps. That must have smelt really nice when the Sun would shine on it.

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    #55

    Summer Book Wagon, 1928

    Summer Book Wagon, 1928

    Multnomah County Library Report

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    #58

    A Tram In Berlin With 2400 Books In Berlin, 1952

    A Tram In Berlin With 2400 Books In Berlin, 1952

    Junge, Peter Heinz Report

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    Michael Kenney
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Can't help but recall that only a few years earlier some people were burning books in Germany. Wonderful how enlightenment always returns. But at great cost.

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    #59

    Framingham Public Library, 1956

    Framingham Public Library, 1956

    Framingham Public Library Local History Report

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    #60

    Utah State Library Bookmobile On The Road, 1970

    Utah State Library Bookmobile On The Road, 1970

    Utah State Library Report

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    #61

    The Bookmobile Of Providence Public Library, 1967

    The Bookmobile Of Providence Public Library, 1967

    Providence Public Library Report

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    #62

    Paul Buttars, Former Manager Of The Utah State Library Bookmobile Program, In One Of The “older” Bookmobiles. Taken In Chesterfield, Ut, C.1975

    Paul Buttars, Former Manager Of The Utah State Library Bookmobile Program, In One Of The “older” Bookmobiles. Taken In Chesterfield, Ut, C.1975

    Utah State Library Report

    #63

    The Bicentennial Bookmobile In Utah, 1976

    The Bicentennial Bookmobile In Utah, 1976

    Utah State Library Report

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    #64

    Patrons Visiting The Bookmobile

    Patrons Visiting The Bookmobile

    Anne Arundel Country Public Library Report

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    #66

    Getting Ready, 1976

    Getting Ready, 1976

    Kern County Library Report

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    #67

    Patrons Visiting The Bookmobile In 1962, Assisted By Mrs. James B. Wilson And Mrs. William H. Gary

    Patrons Visiting The Bookmobile In 1962, Assisted By Mrs. James B. Wilson And Mrs. William H. Gary

    Anne Arundel Country Public Library Report

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    Kim Carnahan
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Notice how the women were not identified by their own first names, but by their husbands'.

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    #68

    Patrons Visit The Bookmobile

    Patrons Visit The Bookmobile

    Anne Arundel Country Public Library Report

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    Toni Nase
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh lord, I had that dress, brown print with white collar and cuffs

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    #69

    Bookmobile, C. 1950

    Bookmobile, C. 1950

    Kern County Library Report

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    Michael Bratton
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The Postman would put a notice in the mailbox when the bookmobile would be coming down our street. I had a bike just like that.

    #70

    Interior Of A Circulating Library In A Streetcar In Munich, Germany

    Interior Of A Circulating Library In A Streetcar In Munich, Germany

    Crossett Library Report

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    #71

    Patrons Visiting The Bookmobile

    Patrons Visiting The Bookmobile

    Anne Arundel Country Public Library Report

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    #72

    Bookmobile

    Bookmobile

    Multnomah County Library Report

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    #73

    Patrons In Bookmobile Line

    Patrons In Bookmobile Line

    Multnomah County Library Report

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