Mobile Library

With the new vehicle offering more library services to the community, the name will change from Bookmobile to Mobile Library. The new name better reflects the breadth of service that is offered through the vehicle. It is also a more accessible name for people visiting the vehicle's stops, including newcomers to our city and people whose first language is not English.   

Once fully decommissioned, like most city vehicles, the existing vehicle will go to auction. We will not be able to keep the current vehicle for additional outreach stops due to budget and maintenance constraints. 

Instead of a 39-foot step van which is the current vehicle style, we will have a 32-foot straight truck. While slightly smaller, the new Mobile Library will have a different layout that will enhance the user experience inside the vehicle.  

The exterior of the Mobile Library will feature a vibrant, colorful design created by local artist, Emma Eubanks. The new design was informed by community feedback. We surveyed current Bookmobile users and community members to learn about their vision for the next Mobile Library. Much of the feedback leaned into the theme of “magic” in many senses of the word. The new design captures a sense of magic while also depicting the many different types of resources and services people can expect to find onboard the Mobile Library and at the other various library locations around Saint Paul. 

Services will pause beginning March 31 while library staff transition from one vehicle to the next. The new Mobile Library is currently expected to hit the streets in May 2024. 

A community celebration and ribbon-cutting for the new Mobile Library is being planned for late spring. More information will be shared soon!