In the age of eBooks, its demise wouldn't be a surprise – and yet in some places the mobile library is thriving. The Guardian takes to the road.
From the piece...
A mobile library typically carries 1,500-3,500 books, according to Brook. "Half of the stock is adult fiction, with the rest usually made up of popular non-fiction, such as gardening and cookery."
As Baldwin's purchase shows, many mobile libraries go on to enjoy an active retirement, too. A brand new vehicle will cost as much as £120,000, but you can pick up a secondhand model for £2,000-£25,000, according to Joe's Garage in Harrogate, which specialises in renovating old mobile libraries. "They so adaptable," says the owner. "They're like Swiss army penknives on wheels. We even turned one into a mobile casino once."
And don't forget that tomorrow is National Bookmobile Day, an "annual celebration of the contributions of our nation's bookmobiles and the dedicated professionals who make quality bookmobile outreach possible in their communities."
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