Skip to main content

Image / Decorated Los Angeles Public Library Bookmobile

Have a question about this item?

Item information. View source record on contributor's website.

Title
Decorated Los Angeles Public Library Bookmobile
Alternative Title
Los Angeles Public Library Institutional 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.
A hand painted banner is taped to the side of a Los Angeles Public Library Bookmobile depicting several images; "Castelar School", written in glitter, is at the bottom of the banner. It is possible that this bookmobile was decorated to participate in a community parade.
Type
Image
Format
1 photographic print :b&w ;21 x 26 cm.
Photographic prints
Identifier
00077017
Los Angeles Public Library Institutional Collection
LAPL_IPC_b068_f5
CARL0000078835
http://173.196.26.125/cdm/ref/collection/photos/id/110945
Subject
Los Angeles Public Library
Decoration and ornament--California--Los Angeles
Trucks--Decoration--California--Los Angeles
Bookmobiles--California--Los Angeles
Libraries--California--Los Angeles

About the collections in Calisphere

Learn more about the collections in Calisphere. View our statement on digital primary resources.

Copyright, permissions, and use

If you're wondering about permissions and what you can do with this item, a good starting point is the "rights information" on this page. See our terms of use for more tips.

Share your story

Has Calisphere helped you advance your research, complete a project, or find something meaningful? We'd love to hear about it; please send us a message.

Explore related content on Calisphere: