Boston Public Library's Bibliocycle travels through Boston's neighborhoods in third season

The BPL Bibliocycle, a bicycle-powered mobile library, returns to the streets of Boston in its third season, visiting street fairs, markets, and festivals to meet people where they are and deliver library services beyond its physical locations. Over the past two years, the Bibliocycle has had more than 2,200 visitors, with staff issuing 140 library cards and more than 500 book checkouts. The first stop for the Bibliocycle will be on Saturday, May 7, at the Wake up the Earth Festival in Jamaica Plain.

“The Bibliocycle is the perfect complement to community events and activities in Boston’s parks and outdoor spaces," said Mayor Walsh. "I encourage residents to take advantage of the opportunity to connect with one of the City’s great assets – our library system."

Features of the Bibliocycle program include library card sign up, book checkout, demonstrations of BPL’s digital resources, help with reference questions, and pop-up story times. The mobile collection of up to 50 books includes new releases, bestsellers, cooking, gardening, picture books, and bike repair titles.

“The Bibliocycle has been one of our most successful outreach programs, taking library services out into the community, to our users, and we are happy to see it return, expanding our reach and giving staff the chance to interact with many more users,” said Boston Public Library Interim President David Leonard.

The Bibliocycle visits the neighborhoods of Jamaica Plain, Copley Square, Dorchester, Roxbury, and Fenway in May and June. The complete schedule of Bibliocycle destinations, including a form where interested organizations may request a visit from the Bibliocycle, can be found at bpl.org/community. The Bibliocycle checkout limit is 10 items per person. The Bibliocycle team is not equipped to handle fines and book returns. Patrons will need to visit one of the BPL’s many brick-and-mortar locations to complete that type of transaction.

About BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY 
Boston Public Library has a Central Library, twenty-four branches, map center, business library, and a website filled with digital content and services. Established in 1848, the Boston Public Library has pioneered public library service in America. It was the first large free municipal library in the United States, the first public library to lend books, the first to have a branch library, and the first to have a children’s room. Each year, the Boston Public Library hosts thousands of programs and serves millions of people. All of its programs and exhibitions are free and open to the public. At the Boston Public Library, books are just the beginning. To learn more, visit bpl.org.