In 1963, Montréal’s city limits were vastly extended with the integration of the municipalities of Rivière-des-Prairies and Saraguay. The city decided at the time to acquire a portable library that could serve these new neighbourhoods.
The first Bibliobus (Bookmobile) went into service on August 16, 1966. Under the impetus of its principal founder and librarian, Jean Brunet, the Bibliobus (Bookmobile) took to the road with 4,000 books on board. In 1972, a used semi-trailer was fitted up to replace the first one, which had become dilapidated.
The third Bibliobus (Bookmobile), the one now in use,
went into service on August 16, 1993, 27 years to the day after the first
Bibliobus (Bookmobile) began service. In 2003, after stopping for a year, the Bibliobus (Bookmobile) hit the road again to serve the boroughs of Ahuntsic-Cartierville, Mercier – Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, Rosemont – La Petite-Patrie and Villeray – Saint-Michel – Parc-Extension!
When distance is an obstacle...
Some areas of Montréal are less well served by their library. The Bibliobus (Bookmobile) overcomes these shortcomings by giving Montrealers a chance to visit close to where they live. The Bibliobus (Bookmobile) meets the needs of young people especially, for whom distance can be a difficult obstacle to overcome.
A complete library
In its 45-foot semi-trailer, the Bibliobus (Bookmobile) offers a choice of 5,000 books for young people, in French and English. Its collection includes more than 40,000 documents, including non-fiction, novels, comic books, picture books, talking books and magazines. Every two weeks, the employees rotate the materials available on the Bibliobus (Bookmobile): seasonal subjects, new material, subjects about research work, celebrities, etc.
As it travels through the streets of Montréal, the Bibliobus (Bookmobile) gives flight to the idea that access to culture, books and reading is the foundation of creativity and innovation, one of the essential engines of personal and collective growth.
