Writing’s on the Wall for L.A. Library’s Bookmobile Program

The bookmobile -- the mini-library on wheels that for generations has brought books into the neighborhoods of young and old readers -- may have reached the end of the road in Los Angeles.

Bleak budget conditions have combined with what some library officials describe as declining interest in the city’s bookmobile program, landing the service in the cuts category of Mayor James K. Hahn’s 2004-05 budget proposal.

Possible elimination of the 55-year-old program reflects a larger shift in public book-borrowing habits, according to Los Angeles Public Library spokesman Peter Persic, with more readers opting to visit branch libraries as opposed to their motorized counterparts.

“What we find is people much prefer going to a full-service library where they have a full collection of books, CDs, DVDs, access to computers, community rooms and programs for children and teens -- all the things the bookmobile doesn’t have,” Persic said.

Branch libraries are more accessible than ever, he said. Two voter-approved construction campaigns have resulted in nine new branch libraries in Los Angeles since 1989. By the end of this year, the city is expected to have 72, which, city officials say, will do away with the need for bookmobiles.

“We feel every neighborhood has access to a branch library,” said Sahar Moridani, a Hahn press deputy. She estimated that eliminating the mobile program would save the city $458,000 annually.

When the Los Angeles bookmobile program started in 1949, the San Fernando Valley had only three of the city’s 39 branch libraries, compared with 21 today, library officials said.

As branches have increased, use of the bookmobiles has decreased -- from roughly 400 users a day in 1999-2000 to about 50 a day in the last fiscal year, 2002-03, when the number of bookmobiles shrank from its maximum of four to two.

The bookmobiles’ declining popularity was not evident during a recent stop at Camellia Avenue Elementary School in North Hollywood.

Even though two new branch libraries have recently opened within two miles of the school, students sat on picnic tables devouring Dr. Seuss books and National Geographic magazines they had checked out from the bookmobile.

“They love this,” substitute teacher Michael Immel said of his second-graders. “They practically trample me to get here.”

Once inside the book-packed, purple and red bus, the children peppered librarian Hilary Smith with questions: “Where are the Spanish books?” “Where can I find books on travel?” “How many Junie B. Jones books can I check out at a time?”

One by one Smith answered the children’s queries.

The bookmobile is filled with fun books for youngsters, Smith said, many from working-class families who may not otherwise get to visit a public library.

The bookmobile also enhances the school’s library at a time when literacy is being emphasized by district officials, said Camellia Avenue Principal Dora Pimentel-Baxter.

“It touches so many students’ lives,” she said. “The books open up a whole new world to them.”

Rachel Zermeno, 7, said the bookmobile has a better selection of Junie B. Jones books than her school library. Several students surrounded her after she found “Cheater Pants,” a highly sought-after installment in the Junie B. Jones series. They begged her to trade books with them.

“Everybody wants it because we’ve never read it,” Rachel explained.

Each of the city’s bookmobiles has about 4,000 books, compared with 30,000 to 80,000 at a branch library. What the bookmobiles may lack in selection, fans say, they make up for in convenience, personal service and a safe environment.

For example, two branch libraries are within three miles of the Estrada Courts public housing development in East Los Angeles, where a bookmobile recently stopped. But one young girl said her mother wouldn’t allow her to walk to the nearest library, for fear of gangs.

“We serve the working poor, immigrants and their children,” said Alicia Randolph, children’s librarian for the Inner-City bookmobile.

“We go to places in the city where even though a branch could be two to three miles away, it’s difficult for them to access. A lot of them can’t afford the cost of transportation to the branch.”

Within minutes after the bookmobile pulled up to Estrada Courts, Rosarie Andrade, 26, was among 18 people to cram onto the bus, scouring its collection for a favorite book, magazine or movie.

The pregnant Andrade took time out from her search for a baby-name book to ponder the importance of a service she has used off and on since she was in elementary school.

“It’s important for the kids who live around here,” she said. “If it’s not here, they’ll have more chances to be on the street doing something stupid.”

Alex Rosales, 14, credits the bookmobile with fostering his love for reading.

“In the beginning I didn’t like to read books, but this got me into reading,” he said as he stood near the bookmobile. “I didn’t know what to read until the librarian recommended I check out a vampire book.”

After that, he said, he was hooked, as are many of his neighbors.

“I don’t want them to close it,” said resident Alicia Jimenez, 52, who has been borrowing books on health, immigration and citizenship for more years than she can remember. “I need the library.”