National Library Outreach Day

National Bookmobile Day began in 2010. It was created by the American Library Association, the Association for Rural and Small Libraries, and the Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services.

These groups wanted to shine a light on mobile libraries and the people who run them. Every year, the day falls during National Library Week in April. It highlights how bookmobiles help people who may not live near a public library.

Bookmobiles have a long and interesting past. In 1905, librarian Mary Lemist Titcomb in Maryland started the first one in the United States. Her team used a horse-drawn wagon to carry books to people in remote areas.

Later, these wagons became motor vehicles. They could then travel farther and reach more places. Over time, mobile libraries became key to bringing books to small towns, rural areas, and neighborhoods without easy access to reading materials.

The launch of National Bookmobile Day gave people a reason to talk about these services again. It gave communities a chance to say thank you to the bookmobile staff.

Bookmobiles, or buses that transport free library books, is a service that has been in use since the early 19th century. The American School Library was one of the first traveling libraries. Published by Harper & Brothers. They would travel to rural towns and small communities, giving them the chance to read new books.

Today, the Smithsonian National Museum of American History has the original set of horse-drawn wooden carriers showcased. Over time, bookmobiles rose in popularity throughout the early 20th century. People began to enjoy reading books that were brought right to their neighborhood.

The concept was especially popular during the Great Depression. An effort was called for to bring libraries to the people located in the remote coves and mountainsides of Kentucky and Appalachia. These packhorse librarians, called the Pack Horse Library Project, brought books to people in remote areas. Access to books helped educate people in rural mountain areas.

The rise in bookmobiles began to decline during the 21st century when technology made reading materials available through the internet. For some, bookmobiles have become an outdated service due to high costs, and issues transporting books to people. To counteract this, people have been petitioning for greener solutions for bookmobiles.

This includes reducing their carbon footprint to help bring back the popularity of bookmobiles. Formerly known as National Bookmobile Day, and rebranded in 2021 in appreciation for how library workers outreach to their communities, National Library Outreach Day is sponsored by the American Library Association, in hopes to advocate for bookmobiles as an alternative resource.

Books are important in helping educate people all over the world and give them the resources they need to learn.