Bookmobile services operate 2 days weekly serving an average of 24 stops a month throughout the city of Oakland. Stops include preschools, senior care facilities, Rehabilitation Centers and streets stops in areas that are remote from a public library. The 32- foot vehicle features a collection that includes books, magazines, DVDs, CDs, videos, PlayStation 2 games and books on tape/CDs. There are a limited number of materials available in Spanish, Chinese and other Asian languages.
Anyone with an Oakland Public Library card can use the bookmobile which is easy to board and has a wheelchair lift.
Please check out our web page for details regarding our regularly scheduled stops. If you have any questions or concerns, call us at the bookmobile office: (510) 238-6718. Thank you!
Bookmobile History:
Oakland's Soroptimist Club donated Oakland Public Library's first Bookmobile on April 4, 1965 during National Library Week. By 1992 Oakland Public Library provided service from five bookmobiles, including the Outreacher, which served the senior population, a Spanish language Bookmobile, an Asian Services Bookmobile, and a Native American Services Bookmobile as well as one which provided general services citywide. Currently, one vehicle has consolidated these library services.
The Bookmobile serves citizens who are located more than one mile from a branch library or who are institutionalized and/or have mobility issues which restrict their ability to travel to a branch library. In addition, the Bookmobile promotes library services, appearing at special events such as the Art and Soul Festival and the Annual Black Cowboys Parade and Festival.
For more information about services, please call (510) 238-6718.
Above and below are local young patrons taking advantage of one of the earlier Bookmobiles.
