Photo NVCL’s Deb Hutchison Koep
The first book bike in the Lower Mainland has arrived at the North Vancouver City Library (NVCL).
“We were looking for a creative way to bring the library presence outside of our physical walls in a sustainable, fun and engaging way that the community can connect with," says Mikale Fenton, head of community programs and service development at NVCL.
The 'Spokes n Words' book bike was co-sponsored by the City of Vancouver's PLAY team, which develops placemaking projects to animate city spaces.
"With the book bike you'll have a chance to check in and check out books. We'll be hosting story times out in the community. You can get a library card and information about library programs and services," says Fenton.
'Spokes n Words' will make an appearance at various events this summer including the Fun City Festival, the Long Table Lunch series and the North Shore Canada Day Parade. "The goal is to cater the literature on the book bike to the event we might be attending. On Canada Day we'll probably stock it with materials on Canadian and Indigenous history," she says.
The book bike was built by a Colorado-based company called Pedal Positive. There's a handle on the back that keeps the books in place and it comes with an umbrella to provide shelter from the rain.
The tricycle is also equipped with a motor to help library staff be able to power up the steep hill to NVCL's location at 14th and Lonsdale.
The library is hosting a public launch party for 'Spokes n Words' in celebration of Bike to Work Week during the last week of May with times and further details to be finalized soon.
Photo courtesy of NVCL
