Delivered by Fe Angela M. Verzosa at the seminar sponsored by the University of Mindanao (Matina Campus) on the occasion of the 24th Information Services Month and 81st National Book Week with the theme: “Filipino Reader in the Era of ASEAN Integration” (December 2-8), held in Davao City, on December 2.

1. Developing Community of Readers Through Book Mobile
in Today’s New Learning Environment
by
Fe Angela Verzosa

2. What are Book
Mobile Libraries?
A bookmobile is a vehicle converted to serve as a
mini library.
2
The vehicle has shelves to hold books. Usually, it
has a small reception place, as well as a small
room for readers.
These customized vehicles are used to take
books to readers in locations without brick and
mortar libraries, or to supply books to people who
cannot access libraries.

3. What are Book
Mobile Libraries?
any library service that
does not stay in one place
3
The term is mainly used to
describe a mobile vehicle
that carries library material
International Federation of
Library Associations (IFLA)
Source: http://www.ifla.org/files/assets/hq/publications/professional-
report/123.pdf

4. The perambulating
library of 1858
operating in a circle of
eight villages in
Cumbria, United
Kingdom, was an 1857
project of a Victorian
merchant and
philanthropist, George
Moore, to "diffuse good
literature among the
rural population.“
WikipediaIt loaned more than 12,000 books
during its first year of operation.

5. In the US, the first Book Wagon, Washington County (Maryland)
Free Library, 1905-1910 served rural areas with a mule-drawn
wagon carrying wooden boxes of books. - Wikipedia

6. Britain's first mobile library
A 1920 Ford van carrying hundreds of books around
Perth and Kinross in Scotland in 1921 was in regular
use for 10 years.

7. Munich started its third-ever mobile library in Germany in 1928 in
a tram. There were 3000 books on board and the tram drove on
rails to 8 stations within the city. This tram was used for 42 years.

8. Role of Mobile
Libraries
“The overall objective of a mobile library service is to
The early book mobiles served to deal with illiteracy and
promote reading in remote areas.
“The overall objective of a mobile library service is to
promote equity of service provision by enhancing the
opportunity of access to library services. A mobile
library provides the most flexible of library service, not
being restricted to any particular population center
and able to respond to the needs of fluctuating
populations.” International Federation of Library Associations

9. The world’s successful
bookmobiles
Bookmobiles and mobile libraries can be
found throughout the world. In addition to
standard bookmobiles, camels, donkeys, and
elephants have all been used to pull book
wagons. Some areas use boats and
motorbikes to transport books.

10. Robi Mobile Library
Germany

11. This Bookmobile Project is
primarily based in Montreal
and Philadelphia. It is a
trailer converted into a
small mobile gallery and
library .
This is a Railway carriage
from Thailand converted
into a library and IT center
in cooperation with the
local police force to give
street kids some
education and try and
keep them in a safe
environment

12. MOLLY – Singapore’s National Library Board's
newly retrofitted Mobile Library bus

13. Molly, Singapore’s
Bookmobile
it served more than
230,000 users with about
half a million book loans
13
The improved Molly is equipped with eight iPads
for easy access to NLB’s eResources and
interactive applications that children can have fun
with.
Source: http://sglinks.com/pages/2860750-nlb-launches-molly-reloaded-mobile-
library-aims-extend-reach

14. Books –on-the-go Mobile Library in Kenya, South Africa

15. Bookmobiles in Kenya
Today’s mobile buses in Kenya have computers and
•Vans were converted to mobile libraries in 1977 by
the government of Kenya with the help of donors.
Today’s mobile buses in Kenya have computers and
internet access for people with needs beyond the
stock of books, but they also have the Camels.
•The Camel Mobile Library was set up by the
government-owned Kenya National Library
Service to improve literacy rates in the north-east.
“A static library would be of no use to nomads and so
instead we follow them, wherever they go.”

16. Kenyan Camel Library caravan
http://www.afroautos.com/customized-improvised/the-book-mobile-mobile-
libraries-in-kenya
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/picture_gallery/05/africa_kenyan_camel_lib
rary/html/1.stm

17. Bookmobiles in Kenya
•“We start early in the morning and work Monday to Thursday. Each
box contains 200 books. One camel carries two boxes of books.
Another carries the tent and the third one carries our things. We have
nine camels - three caravans.”
•caravans go to 12 different sites
•3,500 registered members
•each child is allowed to borrow two books.
•they have 14 days before we return to the same
place (some 400km from the capital, Nairobi)
•then they can renew the books or borrow
another two

20. Donkey libraries in
Ethiopia
The first yellow mobile library started travelling
in 2006, and now there are six running a circuit
from school to school and from village to village
bringing books to
children.
The donkey library is designed to exactThe donkey library is designed to exact
specifications:
It must hold a treasure trove of books,
have space to hold stools for seating,
and contain a special compartment for
food for the donkey..

21. The Library Tram

22. The Library Tram
An old tram car was transformed into a lively color
mobile library in Brno, Czech Republic.
22
---The Library Tram travels every day on a 70 km route,
teaching not only about library services, but, most importantly,
about benefits of digital reading.
---Visitors can scan QR codes with their mobile phones to
access library’s website, search the catalog, and download
free samples of selected ebooks.
---This innovative mobile library 2.0 was awarded first place in
the 12th IFLA International Marketing Award 2014.

23. MV Logos Hope floating library
The vessel belongs to GBA Ships, a charity organization
based in Germany (GBA means “Gute Bücher für Alle” –
Good Books for All).

25. The Floating Library
MV Logos
The ship travels around the world, promoting
good literature and raising money for charity
25
exhibiting over 7,000 books, ranging from
education to technology, history, philosophy, art,
and fiction.
• With 500 crew and guests that can be
accommodated in 200 cabins
• enough to hold up to 1,000 visitors at any time

27. Bibliomotocarro
27
“Antonio La Cava is a retired schoolteacher from Ferrandina,
Italy.
After 42 years of teaching he asked himself what more he
could do to spread the love of reading among children.
In 2003 he bought a used Ape motorbike and heavily
modified it to house 700 books.
Ever since he travels the Italian countryside, bringing books
to villages in the region of Basilicata.”

28. Luis Soriano Borges takes his “bibliodonkeys” Alfa and Beto through the
mountain villages of Columbia to bring books to children.

29. The Camelback Library

30. The Camel Back
Library
Dashdondog Jamba has traveled more than 50,000
miles through every province of Mongolia
• Over the last 20 years, his library has traveled
30
• Over the last 20 years, his library has traveled
50,000 miles through every province of
Mongolia—mostly before the van was part of the
operation.
• Jamba’s assistants are his wife and his son. They
often spend several days in one place to give as
many children as possible a chance to read their
books.

31. Elephant Mobile Library

32. The Elephant Mobile
Library in Laos
Room to Read Laos teamed up with two other NGOs
(Action with Lao Children and ElefantAsia) as well as
the local government to implement the first ever
Elephant Mobile Library.
“The perfect mode of
delivery for remote
communities”….
32
communities”….
---Stocked with 640 Lao-language children’s books (many
featuring elephants) and supplementary educational materials,
the library’s maiden voyage included four primary schools that
served more than 1,000 students.
---Today, the activity continues with literacy games, songs,
storytelling circles, and comprehension exercises

33. http://blog.roomtoread.org/room-to-read/2011/12/elephant-mobile-library-treats-young-readers-in-
laos-to-a-day-they-will-never-forget.html

34. Thailand has a long history of mobile libraries, where elephants have been
used to transport books to remote areas. The Books-by-Elephant program
continues to travel a twenty day journey spending a few days in each
village. Today, the supplies include laptops and satellite dish connections to
the Internet. Source: http://eduscapes.com/history/contemporary/1930.htm

35. http://www.cambodiacircles.com/articles/184/mobile-library-a-new-window-to

36. Mobile Libraries in
Cambodia
SIPAR is a non-governmental organization
has eight mobile libraries operating daily in 100 sites in suburb
areas in Cambodia since 2000
at least 3000 books within one mobile library
One mobile library goes to two targeted places within a day
Activities - story-telling, games, painting pictures
Total Cambodge, world’s fifth largest oil and gas company,
signed a contract to support SIPAR by providing fuel

37. Bike-powered Mobile Libraries

38. The NLP Bookmobile
Services
Books on Wheels or Bookmobiles form an integral part of
Fourteen (14) Bookmobile units cater to rural areas by
selected public libraries in the country. Due to budget
constraints, there have been no additional units acquired by
NLP for the past recent years.- CONSAL COUNTRY REPORT 2010
Books on Wheels or Bookmobiles form an integral part of
the library system. They can serve as vital links between
local governments and members of the community, can
give direct access to the under privileged segment of our
populace, can serve as aids in the various programs of the
national government and can stimulate good reading habits
in the rural areas where there are no libraries or reading
centers. Source: http://web.nlp.gov.ph/nlp/?q=node/1257

39. http://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/mobile-library-brings-back-books-
typhoon-affected-children-n242066

40. Beep Beep Books
Project
• Beep Beep Books is a mobile book library
project of Pandoo Foundation to provide story
books and hope to the children in disaster-hit
areas
• Project collects new and used books, puts
40
• Project collects new and used books, puts
together “starter sets” of 100 children’s books to
help school libraries restart, then delivers them
to remote rural communities with a team of
storytellers and teachers
• Funding comes from local donations, the It
Matters Initiative, and the Pandoo Foundation

41. Museo Pambata
Mobile Library
• had its beginning in 1995 after the opening of
Museo Pambata with a Tamaraw FX carrying
50 books and a simple sign that read "Museo
Pambata Mobile Library“
• in 2001, through a grant from Ford Foundation
Philippines, a “dream mobile library van” was
inaugurated - a six-wheeler Isuzu NPR truck

42. • carrying at least 300 children's books and other learning aids
• conducting numerous storytelling and book-lending sessions around Manila
• reaching provinces such as Laguna and Batangas
• after 8 years, it had to undergo countless automotive repairs and parts
replacements, due to wear and tear incurred during its travels.

43. Museo Pambata
Mobile Library
• refurbishment of the van began in July 2011 with
support from Pilipinas Hino Inc.
• Metrobank Foundation also gave a grant to
support the Mobile Library’s programs.
• Read more here:
http://www.museopambata.org/advocacies.html
http://mpmobilelibrary.blogspot.com/

44. Activities include: storytelling, art workshop, games, and
Snacks are provided free. Token souvenirs are given to children after.
Gota de Leche moms and kids visited the Museo Pambata mobile library
February 2014 (see next photo)

46. The Davao City Mobile
Library Project
The first mobile library bus was
donated by the Japanese
government to the National
Library, and subsequently turned
over to the City Government of
Davao. The mobile library service
began on June 15, 1981 with two
junior librarians and a driver.

47. Another airconditioned
Bus was acquired by
Mayor Sara Duterte-
Carpio equipped with
laptops and
multimedia projector.
From an initial
collection of
2000 books, it
now rotates
5,819 volumes.
The mobile library serviceThe mobile library service
prioritizes its target audience in
districts 2 and 3 where residents
have no access.
Other target clients:
1. Indigenous people
2. Mentally challenged
3. Persons with
Disabilities

50. Accomplishments
In 2014, the Mobile Library served
---24 public elementary schools in districts 2 & 3
---Free services, such as book lending, story----Free services, such as book lending, story-
telling, film viewing, and basics in computer
literacy were also provided on case-to-case
basis to private schools.
---Free services were also extended to public
parks and recreation areas, such as Osmena
and People’s parks

51. Mobile Library Services as of October 2014
Book lending - 14,673
Story-telling - 15,524
Film viewing - 4,079
Basics in computer literacy - 348
TOTAL - 34,624

52. The NLP Book Mobile
Project
The Rotary Club of Boracay mobile library was conceptualized in 2006
during the term of Past President Delnora Nano. By Boracay Sun on 14Jan 2014

53. De La Salle Lipa City's Book Mobile and Reading Program (BMRP) was
supported by Pusong Pinoy. “Through a transportable library and a
guided reading program, the De La Salle BMRP is a response and
commitment to develop children's reading skills directed towards
increased functional literacy.” Beneficiaries of this outreach program
were 3,000+ grades 1-3 children from eight public schools in Lipa City .

54. Byaheng Bukmobil – Raul S. Roco Library (Naga, Camarines Sur)
• Deploys the city’s Book Mobile to public schools in far-flung barangays.
• Enhances learning in public schools and inculcates love for reading.
• To generate more readers, a local personality is brought in to do story-
telling.
• Beneficiaries of this project are 10 schools located in the city’s upland
and agricultural barangays whose distance from the Library makes
commuting expensive for their pupils.

56. Mobile Libraries
Act of 2013
Former President and now Pampanga 2nd district
Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her son
Camarines Sur
Rep. Diosdado Arroyo
are pushing for the
creation of mobile libraries
to encourage Filipinos to read,
56
to encourage Filipinos to read,
sponsoring House Bill 2644 or the “Mobile Libraries
Act of 2013″.
Under the bill, a P100 million budget from the earnings of the
Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) and
the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office will be used for the
creation of mobile libraries.
Read more at http://www.mb.com.ph/arroyos-push-for-mobile-
libraries/#lzD7tpyAXpEqv4p4.99

57. IFLA Mobile Library
Guidelines
• What activities to include
• Services Provision – areas to
cover, no. of stops, frequency,
population profile/needs, etc
57
• What activities to include
• Funding support
• Staffing
• Transport System
• Collections to build
• Furniture & equipment
• Facilitieshttp://www.ifla.org/files/assets/hq/public
ations/professional-report/123.pdf

58. IFLA Mobile Library
Guidelines
• Physical and locational
PLANNING TIPS
Considerations must be
given to the following:
58
• Physical and locational
• Human factor
• Climate and weather
• Vehicle costs
(maintenance, fuel, etc)
• Collection consideration
and materials rotation
• Marketing / promotion
http://www.ifla.org/files/assets/hq/public
ations/professional-report/123.pdf

59. “The simplest way to make sure that we raise
literate children is to teach them to read, and to
show them that reading is a pleasurable
activity. And that means, at its simplest, finding
books that they enjoy, giving them access to
those books, and letting them read them.”

60. We are done!
Congratulations!
Fe Angela M. Verzosa 60
University of Mindanao (Matina Campus), Davao City, 2 December 2015

61. Questions ?
famverzosa@yahoo.com

62. References
Beep Beep Book Project
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/mobile-library-brings-back-books-typhoon-
affected-children-n242066
Museo Pambata : http://www.museopambata.org/advocacies.html
Pusong Pinoy: http://pusongpinoyorg.blogspot.com/2009_06_01_archive.html
Extraordinary Mobile libraries;
•http://ebookfriendly.com/extraordinary-mobile-libraries/
http://www.fahrbibliothek.de/
•http://ebookfriendly.com/extraordinary-mobile-libraries/
•http://www.finebooksmagazine.com/fine_books_blog/2012/06/a-field-guide-to-mobile-
libraries.phtml
•https://www.thetrumpet.com/article/12152.24.169.0/world/the-camelback-library
•http://blog.roomtoread.org/room-to-read/2011/12/elephant-mobile-library-treats-young-
readers-in-laos-to-a-day-they-will-never-forget.html
•http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/picture_gallery/05/africa_kenyan_camel_library/ht
ml/1.stm
•https://www.flickr.com/photos/scottishlibraries/2492551548
•http://www.cambodiacircles.com/articles/184/mobile-library-a-new-window-to
•http://www.bibliobuses.com/documentos/Bibliobuses%20en%20Alemania.pdf
•http://eduscapes.com/history/contemporary/1930.htm
•http://www.lifesomundane.net/2011/02/real-magic-of-bmrp.html