The latest trend in mobile outreach is even greener than electric vehicles-pedal power. Seattle Public Library (SPL) launched its new Books on Bikes pilot program this summer. Librarians on bicycles pull a custom-built book trailer that can carry 500 pounds of materials and display 75 books at a time out of a collection of about 400 titles, including best sellers, fiction and nonfiction, do-it-yourself titles, and children's and teen literature. The 11 "bikebrarians" and paraprofessionals hold book talks, pop-up story times, and information sessions at parks, farmers markets, and community events. The roaming library also has a mobile Wi-Fi hot spot, which librarians use with tablet computers to show visitors how to access ebooks and other digital services, help answer reference and research questions, and even check out books and activate library cards.
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