{"id":317655,"date":"2026-05-15T19:17:21","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T19:17:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/317655\/"},"modified":"2026-05-15T19:17:21","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T19:17:21","slug":"libraries-on-the-move-across-oc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/317655\/","title":{"rendered":"Libraries On The Move Across OC"},"content":{"rendered":"

Public libraries across Orange County are hitting the road to bring resources outside of their traditional spaces.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Using \u201cbookmobiles,\u201d four of the county\u2019s library districts have mobilized to reach underserved areas in their communities.<\/p>\n

Out of the 12 library systems in Orange County, the Santa Ana Public Library<\/a>, Placentia Library District<\/a>, Anaheim Public Library<\/a> and Orange County Public Libraries (OCPL)<\/a> operate their own bookmobile programs.<\/p>\n

These miniature libraries on wheels offer many of the same amenities that one would expect to find in their local library including access to books, Wi-Fi, computers and DVDs.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Editors\u2019 Note: This dispatch is part of the Voice of OC Collegiate News Service<\/a>, working with student journalists to cover public policy issues across Orange County. If you would like to submit your own student media project related to Orange County civics or if you have any response to this work, contact admin@voiceofoc.org.<\/p>\n

The bookmobiles visit places such as youth centers, schools, senior apartments and public parks in their districts.<\/p>\n

\"\"Santa Ana native, Rosario Garcia, utilizes the mobile library to help her learn English in Jerome Park on April 26, 2026. Credit: BENIGNO ALVARADO, Voice of OC<\/p>\n

Jerome Park is one of more than eight parks<\/a> in Santa Ana that the Knowledge Mobile visits within the city.<\/p>\n

Rosario Garcia, who was visiting the Knowledge Mobile<\/a> at a recent Jerome Park stop with her husband, said the program allows them to enjoy the outdoors while checking out library materials.<\/p>\n

Garcia said the Knowledge Mobile stops have given her a chance to practice speaking English and check out resources to continue at home.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause I have a [library] card, right now, I can take a book home and practice [at home],\u201d Garcia said.<\/p>\n

The city operates two<\/a> Knowledge Mobile vehicles, referred to as Know-Mo and Know-Mo XL, for over $140,000 annually, according to Hong Ha, Santa Ana Library operations manager.<\/p>\n

\"\"Santa Ana librarian Erik Jones works at his desk at a bookmobile event at Jerome Park in Santa Ana on April 10, 2026. Credit: BENIGNO ALVARADO, Voice of OC<\/p>\n

Both vehicles offer many of the same services, but Know-Mo XL is a newer and larger vehicle that holds more books.<\/p>\n

The Knowledge Mobiles offer a selection of books, crafts and host family programs like storytime.<\/p>\n

The Anaheim Public Library\u2019s bookmobile costs over $850,000 annually to operate, according to Beth Lapkowski, an administrative assistant with the city\u2019s community services department.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Their bookmobile is a full-sized bus that operates two stops a day \u2014\u00a0Monday through Thursday \u2014 with occasional stops at community events on Saturdays.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The bus holds a variety of books, graphic novels, DVDs and kits allowing children to explore science and art projects at home in both English and Spanish.<\/p>\n

Although there were bookmobiles roaming around OC starting in the \u201850s, the oldest of those currently around is the OCPL mobile library.<\/p>\n

The current iteration of the outreach service<\/a> was created in response to the closures of the county\u2019s libraries during the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n

The county\u2019s outreach service brings books, Chromebook laptops and Wi-Fi hotspots to locations around its 29<\/a> library branches.\u00a0<\/p>\n

[Read: Mobile Library Expands Access to Seniors, Low Income OC Residents<\/a>]<\/p>\n

The county can\u2019t provide an estimate of spending on their bookmobile program because \u201ccosts are not budgeted for individual programs,\u201d according to OCPL spokesperson Danilo Seranilla.<\/p>\n

The system\u2019s overall budget is over $110 million for 2025-2026<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"Orange County Public Library Bookmobile 1970-1975. Photo courtesy of OC Public Libraries<\/p>\n

Placentia\u2019s bookmobile is the newest of the four programs in OC, operating with a budget of just over $100,000, according to Yesenia Baltierra, Placentia assistant library director.\u00a0<\/p>\n

[Read: Placentia Library To Take Books to the Streets<\/a>]<\/p>\n

\"\"A bookshelf inside the Placentia bookmobile. Credit: BENIGNO ALVARADO, Voice of OC<\/p>\n

Their program offers books, internet hotspots, Spanish learning games, board games, toys and educational kits for checkout with a library card.<\/p>\n

\"\"OCPL librarian Hoang Trinh stands by the bookshelves on display in Max Berg Plaza Park in San Clemente on March 24, 2026. Credit: BENIGNO ALVARADO, Voice of OC<\/p>\n

The Placentia Library District is working to expand its partnership with the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District (PYLUSD) to extend more outreach events to local schools, according to Damean Sanz, Placentia librarian.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are plans to expand service offerings, including the introduction of laptops to support digital access,\u201d said Sanz, who was working at the Placentia bookmobile outside Valdez Middle School Academy.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe program already provides mobile hotspots, and there is ongoing interest in increasing the availability of STEM and STEAM kits to better support children\u2019s learning and engagement.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Placentia City librarians, Damean Sans (left) and Greg Chavez (right) stand by their desk outside Valdez Middle School Academy in Placentia on April 2, 2026. Credit: BENIGNO ALVARADO, Voice of OC<\/p>\n

While programs and activities may vary across districts, each bookmobile offers residents an opportunity to register for a free library card.<\/p>\n

And while bookmobile programs aren\u2019t meant to fully replace traditional libraries, they can make their resources more accessible to the communities they serve, said OC Public Libraries spokesperson Serranilla.<\/p>\n

\u201cBringing resources directly into neighborhoods increases convenience, supports community engagement, and ensures that everyone can connect with library programs, technology, and literacy services in ways that best fit their daily lives.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"OCPL librarian Erika Reeb works at her desk during a bookmobile event in Max Berg Plaza Park in San Clemente on March 24, 2026. Credit: BENIGNO ALVARADO, Voice of OC<\/p>\n

Erika Taylor contributed reporting to this story.<\/p>\n

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