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Image / LAPLTraveling Branch Bookmobile

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Title
LAPLTraveling Branch Bookmobile
Alternative Title
Los Angeles Public Library Institutional Photo Collection
Creator
Whittington, Dick
Date Created and/or Issued
Circa 1955
Contributing Institution
Los Angeles Public Library
Collection
Los Angeles Public Library Photo Collection
Rights Information
Images available for reproduction and use. Please see the Ordering & Use page at http://tessa.lapl.org/OrderingUse.html for additional information.
Description
Title supplied by cataloger.
As early as 1949 these bookmobiles, or "libraries on wheels", began taking books to the mostly disadvantaged, low-income areas, or the outlying sections of the city where community libraries had not been established. The Los Angeles Public Library's fleet of bookmobiles was comprised of 3 large vans usually loaded with 4,000 books, and a smaller one known as "Little Toot" that usually carried 3,000 books. They had 28 scheduled stops each week to such places as housing developments, shopping centers, parks, and schools that varied anywhere from an hour to three hours. It is estimated that these Traveling Branches circulated almost 250,000 volumes a year.
A Los Angeles Public Library Traveling Branch Bookmobile can be seen parked at an unidentified location, possibly a school playground or parking lot. The side flaps have been propped open, exposing numerous shelves of books, and several men and women can be seen browsing through these. The front and rear side doors are also open, and ceiling-to-floor shelving is visible inside the book van.
Type
image
Format
1 photographic print :b&w ;21 x 26 cm.
Photographic prints
Identifier
00077005
Los Angeles Public Library Institutional Collection
LAPL_IPC_b083_f1
CARL0000078848
http://173.196.26.125/cdm/ref/collection/photos/id/110948
Subject
Los Angeles Public Library
Bookmobiles--California--Los Angeles
Libraries--California--Los Angeles
Women--California--Los Angeles
Men--California--Los Angeles

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