Oakland ~ Twelve years after it was first introduced before a special City Council meeting, the Oakland Public Library's "library-on-wheels" has been officially "retired" from service while the Library awaits the arrival of a new, state-of-the-art bookmobile. The old bookmobile made as many as 60 weekly service stops, primarily to preschool and childcare centers, retirement homes, rehabilitation centers, and neighborhood "street" stops. In recent years, this vehicle experienced numerous mechanical problems associated with its age. The Oakland Public Library will be replacing the bookmobile with a new one, which it expects to be on the road sometime in March or April. An announcement of the exact date and an opening celebration will be released when this information becomes available.

Oakland Public Library's first bookmobile was donated to the library in 1965 in honor of National Library Week by the local Soroptimist Club. At one time, there were five bookmobiles serving the residents of Oakland, including the Outreacher Van (for seniors), a Spanish language bookmobile, an Asian services bookmobile, and a Native American services bookmobile, in addition to a general services vehicle. As many of these ethnic collections became housed in permanent facilities, only one vehicle remained to ensure that people who live in geographically isolated parts of the city or who cannot make it to a library due to mobility problems or other issues would have access to library materials. The bookmobile also serves as the Library's outreach arm, appearing at many community events throughout the city.