These days, we can order almost any book in the world straight to our doorstep or simply download them to devices like kindle. This would definitely come in handy in quarantine. But it wasn’t always so. Just a few decades ago, people who lived in villages or remote areas without a library depended on bookmobiles. The mission of these circulating libraries was to make the printed word accessible to everyone.
One of the earliest recorded bookmobiles was the Perambulating Library in Warrington, England 1859. It was a horse-drawn cart and lent about 12,000 books during its first year of service. Bookmobiles did not appear in the US until the early 1900s. Eventually, they were motorized and reached the height of their popularity in the mid-20th century, when they became an everyday part of American life.
Take a look at these 20 nostalgic images of circulating libraries, that will send you back to a time when the world operated much differently.








Image Source: Crossett Library / Flickr












This is The OLDEST American Motorcycle Company
Of these 10 motorcycle manufacturers, only 2 are operating today. Can you guess the two?
8 Novels Any History Lover Must Read
If you're in the mood for time travel, grab one of these acclaimed and immersive historical novels.
The Literary Puzzle Only 4 People In History Could Solve
Only 4 people have solved this puzzle in nearly a century: meet the 4 solvers of Cain's Jawbone
QUIZ: Which Founding Father Were You in a Past Life?
Do you think you were the great George Washington, the confident Thomas Jefferson, or perhaps someone else? Take this personality quiz and find out!
Have You Seen Vintage Pictures This Cute Before?
It's always great when beautiful vintage photos turn up, but they're even better when they feature adorable dogs and cats all dressed up! Take a look.
This Street Photographer Left His Grandson a Real Treasure
Dylan Scalet finally had time to digitalize the photographs he inherited from his grandfather during lockdown. What he found was incredible.
13 Geniuses, Who On Some Level, May Have Been a Little Mad
These geniuses may have been smart, but they are incredibly weird too!
9:32
Learn All About the History of the English Language
Ever wondered where the English language came from and how it evolved over time? If so, then this is the perfect video for you!
Six Incredible Stories of People Who Survived the Titanic
On the tragic night of the Titanic, there were some who managed to survive. Here are six 'lived to tell' inspiring stories.
10:30
Time Travel Back to the 19th Century in This Vintage Video
This amazingly rare footage gives us a peek of different parts of the world from the 19th century.
Do You Know About the Mysteries of These Famous Icons?
What do you know about these intriguing works of art? Discover their mysteries here.
9 Surprising Sleeping Habits From Around the World
Sleep looks different in different parts of the world. Here are 9 surprising sleeping habits from different countries, some of which you might want to adopt.
2:57
This Is One of The Most Beautiful Duets I've Ever Heard
Watch this mesmerizing duet from 1981 featuring Donovan and Crystal Gayle. This live performance is their rendition of the classic 60s song ‘Catch the Wind’
7 Facts About Ancient Humans That May Surprise You
Our ancient forefathers displayed many moments of courage and even ingenuity. Here are 7 fascinating and surprising facts about prehistoric humans.
You’ve Probably Been Mistaking These Foods for Each Other
In this article, we will look at a few food pairs that have commonly confused all of us.and help you tell the difference between them.
18 of the Most Incredibly-Timed Photos You'll Ever See
These photos will leave you in awe of their timing. The visual impact they have is staggering. Take a look at these 18 images.
Don’t Say These Words Abroad, You Might Be Misunderstood
These 15 words are all similar to English ones, but they mean something completely different in other languages
15 Illuminating Quotes to Remember When You Overthink
The next time you feel like you are slipping into an overthinking spree, remember these illuminating quotes.
The 12 Moonwalkers: The Men Who Touched The Lunar Surface
Here's a look at the only 12 men in history to have walked on the surface of the moon.
16 Wonderful Japanese Ideas We Should All Start Copying
The Japanese are unique. Their ways seem perfectly designed to help the population live happy fruitful lives. Here are 16 cool Japanese things we should copy.
6:49
Secrets to Longevity from the Oldest People in the World
Meet the oldest people living in 2024.
2:59
A Fistful of Dollars: Live and Unforgettable Performance
Watch The Danish National Symphony Orchestra perform Ennio Morricone’s classic song "A Fistful of Dollars."
4:10
It's Time to Learn All About Ancient Mesopotamia
Learn all about Ancient Mesopotamia, once known as the 'land between two rivers,' in this informative video.
2:45
The Evolution of Wedding Cakes Over the Past Century
Like anything else, the aesthetic of weddings is subject to fashion and change. And what better way to showcase this fashion than through wedding cakes?
2:42
A Soulful Harp Cover of the Song 'The Sound of Silence'
Don't miss this soulful and dreamy harp cover of the classic song 'The Sound of Silence' by Simon & Garfunkel performed in a forest!
7 Interventions of Mother Nature That Altered History
We tend to forget how much power nature has over us. These are 7 times extreme weather conditions completely changed the course of history.
25 Incredible Facts About the Famous Genghis Khan
Genghis Khan struck fear into the hearts of his subjects during his reign, but there's a lot more to the man than meets the eye. Here are 25 intriguing facts.
20 Things Most People Think Are the Same, But Aren't!
These words are often mistaken for synonyms, but in reality they are nothing of the sort, because they refer to different things. Learn about 20 of them.,
10:06
This Fascinating Video Explores the Origins of Mankind
This video will explain exactly what our prehistoric ancestors used to get up to. Fascinating!
Watch These Old Historical Photos Come Magically to Life
Russian animator Alexey Zakharov has managed to achieve something amazing: he animates old photos and turns them into film. You've got to see this.
1925: World Events That Made the News a Century Ago
Let's jump back in time and revisit the major events that captured the world's attention exactly a hundred years ago.
9:16
This Documentary Explains How the Earth Came Into Being
Ever wondered how the planet that we call home came into being? Well, this informative documentary will clear all that up for you! Take a look!
26:07
These Kids Proved They’re the Smartest in the World!
Get ready to meet some of the most impressive young minds to hit the Got Talent stage.
This Dog Saved Her Owner From Certain Death!
This dog proved her love for her owner in an amazing way: she used her incredible sixth sense to help save the woman's life.
7:03
The 5 Tallest Skyscrapers Currently Under Construction
From the Central Park Tower in New York City to the skyscraper in Moscow, one of these five buildings may become the new tallest building in the world
15 Perceptive One-Liners by the Great Charles Darwin
Here are some profound pieces of wisdom from Charles Darwin, the father of evolution.
Astonishing! These WWII Soldiers Survived Against the Odds
These World War II soldiers all suffered terrible ordeals, but they managed to survive against all odds. Here are 6 incredible survival stories from World War II.
Thomas Edison’s Most Inspiring Words of Wisdom
These memorable quotes by Thomas Edison still hold meaning for anyone chasing big goals.
45:39
These 5 Extraordinary People Really Are Superhumans!
This gripping documentary tells the stories of five exceptionally talented people with unique gifts.
2:29
CDs Become Magic Tools in This Mind-Bending Act
Watch this mind-bending magic act by Florian Sainvet in America's Got Talent.
14:44
Former FBI Agent Explains Basics Of Body Language Reading
Former FBI agent teaches you how distance, gestures and other nonverbal elements can reveal information about a person you're talking to
Memoirs That’ll Change Your Life: Must-Reads for Everyone
These powerful memoirs are must-reads for everyone.
10 Blood-Curdling Facts From Modern Life and History
These 10 creepy facts will send shivers down your spine!
18:31
The Most Beautiful Asian Royal Crowns
This video will show you 10 famous crowns from Asia and their fascinating histories.
These Mysterious Cases of Exorcism Are Infamous...
History is full of demon possession and ecorcism stories, which will make your spine crawl. Here are three such mysterious cases.
15 Enchanting Tree Houses That You Would Love to Stay In
In this collection of pictures, we've featured some of the best and most charming treehouses from around the world.
19:11
What's the Secret of Reigniting Desire in a Relationship?
The desire for erotic stimulation stands in contrast to the desire for a stable relationship. So how can we get past this. This witty TED talk informs us.
To enable your Ad-Free Subscription, please fill the fields below
Your subscription was successful, now you can enjoy an ad-free experience!! Note: To make sure you get no ads, please make sure to log in to your account. If you are logged in already, then refresh the page. The subscription can be cancelled at any time.