Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
NYPL To Deploy A New Fleet Of Bookmobiles For First Time Since The '80s
By
Paula Mejía
Published Apr 16, 2019
Modified Apr 16, 2019
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Jonathan Blanc / NYPL
By
Paula Mejía
Published Apr 16, 2019
Modified Apr 16, 2019
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Over the next few months, the New York Public Library will be bringing books to residents of the Bronx, Staten Island, and Manhattan via a new fleet of sleek, cherry red-colored vehicles.
These new NYPL bookmobiles are intended to help communities that don't currently have ready access to libraries, or whose local libraries aren't totally operational. The Bronx's resident Grand Concourse Library, for instance, is currently closed for the next year due to ongoing renovations—until recently, the borough had no bookstores, following the 2016 closure of Barnes & Noble.
The NYPL has offered New Yorkers books through its mobile libraries, at times called bookwagons, for over a century. Yet the new bookmobiles mark the first time the NYPL has had a mobile library out on the streets since the early 1980s, according to a library spokesperson.
A Bronx bookmobile, pictured in the 1950s. (Courtesy of NYPL)
The new roving libraries, which can hold up hundreds of books at a time, will offer a wide selection for kids, young adults, and adults. Readers can also place books on hold through the bookmobiles—so if they want a specific book, they can order it and pick it up at one of the vehicles. The bookmobiles are expected to start making their way through the Bronx this June, and through the other two boroughs sometime in the fall, after undergoing testing this month. Check the NYPL's Twitter feed and website to find out where they'll be parked.
Tagged
bookmobiles
books
new york public library
nypl
Paula Mejía
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
The real race at the NYC Marathon is getting to the front of the toilet line
"I have to pee so bad."
By
Samantha Max
Published Nov 7, 2026
On HBO's 'The Gilded Age,' Ben Ahlers is New York high society’s man of the hour
The actor plays Jack Trotter, a fictional inventor of an impressive alarm clock. He’s developed an enthusiastic following.
By
Sonia Rao
Arts & Entertainment
On HBO's 'The Gilded Age,' Ben Ahlers is New York high society’s man of the hour
The actor plays Jack Trotter, a fictional inventor of an impressive alarm clock. He’s developed an enthusiastic following.
By
Sonia Rao
Bowling, burgers and civilian housing: Life on the Fort Hamilton Army installation
By
James Ramsay
When turning back the clock means going under an NYC sidewalk
By
Hannah Frishberg
Yes, Stevie Wonder is playing MSG. No, you can't afford tickets. See these shows instead.
By
Hank Shteamer
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .