Book Bike

08 Jun Book Bike

As part of our Summer Reading Kick-off and Bicentennial Project, The Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library is proud to announce the unveiling of its newest service revolution for people in Hendricks County – a new book bike. The book bike is a bicycle and trailer that will bring the Library resources to our community.

In 1916, The Plainfield Public Library was the first Library in the state to have a Book Mobile and now in 2016, 100 years later, we are first to have a book bike. The book mobile catered to mostly rural areas. It was designed by a local physician Dr. Ernest Cooper who was on the Library board. It was mounted on a 1916 Ford chassis.

“Our new Book Bike will be an amazing tool to connect our community to our Library, wherever they are! Whether you are at the splash pad, Lunch Bunch, at one of our many parks, festivals or riding our outstanding trail system, we will bring our Library to you,” explains Joanna Carter, Community Central Manager, Plainfield Public Library.

Thanks to a special sponsorship from Hendricks Regional Health, the Library collaborated with the Burgeon Group in San Francisco to design and build the custom book trailer. “Our hospital applauds the Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library for coming up with this innovative program to help promote both literacy and physical fitness in our community. We’re thrilled to be part of it,” explains Adam Scott, Business and Community Relations Manager at Hendricks Regional Health.

A-1 Cyclery in Indianapolis is assisting with the TREK bike and buddy bike to pull the custom trailer. In business since 1967, A-1 Cyclery owner Chris Wiggins explains, “We were more than happy to assist the Library with their bicycle project. Bicycles bring people together, and allow you to experience your community on a much more personal level. I would love to discover a new book during a bike ride.”

The Plainfield Public Library currently has more than 10 staff members who plan to ride and will receive special training, gear and safety equipment from Hendricks Regional Health. Avid bike rider and Digital Services Librarian Matthew Stevenson, will be the book bike team captain and will be the first to ride it in the community.

The bike is fully equipped with Library resources: books, eBooks, library cards and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The book bike will be seen throughout Plainfield, anywhere people are congregating from farmers markets to festivals. Be sure to watch for it in the Quaker Day Parade as well.

The new Book Bike will make its first public appearance at the Plainfield Farmers’ Market on June 8 from 4 – 7 p.m. at the Plainfield Friends Meeting at US 40 and SR 267 N in downtown Plainfield.