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Image / Los Angeles Public Library Traveling Branch Bookmobile

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Title
Los Angeles Public Library Traveling Branch Bookmobile
Alternative Title
Security Pacific National Bank Photo Collection
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.
Side view of the Los Angeles Public Library Traveling Branch Bookmobile. This is just one of four such bookmobiles that traveled to schools throughout the Los Angeles area. This one is parked at an unidentified school and has not yet 'opened for business'. Three "flaps" with handles can be seen along the side, which when propped open, expose numerous bookshelves with dozens upon dozens of books.
Type
image
Format
1 photographic print :b&w ;21 x 26 cm.
Photographic prints
Identifier
00076999
Security Pacific National Bank Collection
L.A.-Libraries-LAPL-Branches-Bookmobile.
CARL0000078838
http://173.196.26.125/cdm/ref/collection/photos/id/110938
Subject
Los Angeles Public Library
School buildings--California--Los Angeles
Bookmobiles--California--Los Angeles
Playgrounds--California--Los Angeles
Libraries--California--Los Angeles

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