Special celebration planned for Wednesday, April 22, as part of National Outreach Day
For Erin Foley, the bookmobile’s magic lies in the mix of nostalgia and discovery it brings to those who board it.
“There’s a special joy that comes with stepping onto the bookmobile,” Foley said. “It feels both nostalgic and fresh at the same time. For some, it brings back fond memories of childhood visits. For others, it may be their very first library experience. That blend of history and possibility is what makes the bookmobile so special.”
Foley has managed Wake County Public Libraries’ bookmobile service for the past four years, and she says the community response has been overwhelmingly positive.
“Families appreciate the accessibility, especially for those who may not be able to visit a branch regularly,” Foley said. “Adults often tell us how excited and nostalgic they feel seeing a bookmobile again. People tell us they’re grateful for the access to books, for the programming and for the opportunity to engage with library staff in a familiar, local setting.”
Now, Wake County Public Libraries is launching its brand-new Bookmobile, and residents will have the chance to explore it for the first time during a Sneak Peek Tour beginning this spring.
“Wake County has a long and proud history of bringing library services directly to our residents, and this new Bookmobile continues that commitment,” said Wake County Commissioner Tara Waters. “By meeting people where they are, we’re removing barriers, sparking curiosity and ensuring that every child and family has access to the power of books.”
Be one of the first to board the Bookmobile
The Bookmobile has already hit the road and will be coming to a library or park near you over the next few months. Families and young children are invited to:
- Step inside the new Bookmobile
- Browse a curated selection of books
- Sign up for a library card
- Check out and return items
- Learn about upcoming outreach programs
The 24-foot Bookmobile’s collection of more than 2,000 books is dynamic and shaped by what visitors want to see. Staff listen to patrons’ feedback and refresh the collection regularly to make sure every visit offers something people are genuinely excited about.
While it’s primarily for children, the Bookmobile also features a small section of adult titles, making sure parents and caregivers don’t go away empty handed.
The new Bookmobile joins the system’s Book Hauler, which is designed to support social connection and lifelong learning for seniors. The Book Hauler makes regular visits to Friendship Cafes hosted by Meals on Wheels. Both vehicles are part of the Library on the Go initiative, which brings library services directly into the community.
A full schedule of events can be found at wake.gov/LibraryOnTheGo.
A special celebration of the Bookmobile and Book Hauler will take place from 10 a.m.–noon Wednesday, April 22, at the Olivia Raney Local History Library, the historic home of Wake County’s first bookmobile service. The event, marking National Outreach Day, will honor the County’s legacy of mobile library outreach and celebrate the next chapter of Library on the Go. More details will be announced soon.
A Long Tradition on Wheels
Wake County’s first bookmobile hit the road in 1942, serving schools, post offices, gas stations, drugstores, homes and even the local prison. The first vehicle was funded by State Aid for Public Libraries and shared between the Olivia Raney Library and the Richard B. Harrison Library.
Service expanded with a second vehicle in 1947, continued through the 1950s and 1960s, and provided resources to community libraries in towns such as Wendell, Fuquay-Varina and Apex. Funding cuts ended the program in 1973, but Wake County revived it in 1996 with grant support and added a second bookmobile in 1999.
The 2026 Bookmobile honors that legacy while bringing a modern, flexible and community-centered experience to residents countywide.
Learn more at wake.gov/LibraryOnTheGo.
