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












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.
Fall Back in Love With Summer in South California
A retired military man has been documenting his travels to South California for the past two years. Enjoy the coast through his lens- you can really see the love.
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
These Photos Show How Much The World Has Changed…
These historical images reveal how much the world has changed in the last 100 years and it's absolutely incredible
9:37
The Surprising Origin of the Frozen TV Dinner
Frozen 'TV dinners' once dominated the American market. This is the surprising origins story of this popular food.
A Nostalgic Trip to the Major Events of the 30's and 40's
Take our hand and lets go on a Quick nostalgic trip to the main events the defined the 30's and the 40's.
11 Legendary Military Rulers of the Ancient Past
The annals of history are rich with leaders who earned great renown for their courage and skill in battle. These illustrious kings and generals have won eternal renown due to their courage and brilliance.
These 10 Facts Prove Amelia Earhart Was Extraordinary
To cleberate the legacy of the pioneer aviator, we gathered 10 fats on the life of Amelia Earhart you must know.
The Story Behind One of History's Coolest Photographs
The Story Behind Ormond Gigli’s Photo: “Girls in the Windows”
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.
You Won't Believe These Stories of the White House
The White House stands as a glorious monument to American politics, and in its 200 years of history, has had quite a few interesting encounter!
13 Ways the English Language Changed Completely
English has changed so dramatically over the years, that texts from the medieval era are barely legible for modern English speakers. Why?
These Famous Characters are Based On Real People...
Did you know that certain characters draw heavily on real-life people? Here are 10 iconic characters that were based on people that really existed.
This Will Change Your Perspective On Anger
Anger is an often misunderstood emotion. These facts about anger will change your views on this common emotion.
From Beans to Bar: How Chocolate is Made from Scratch...
Ever wondered how chocolate was made from beans to bar? Well, this collection of photographs will reveal all.
These Alternate Versions of History Will Blow Your Mind...
Our world is full of 'what if?' questions, since we just love to speculate about how things could have turned out differently. Here are 10 of the best!
20 Stunning Photos That'll Bring Happiness to Your Day
without saying anything, here are 20 photos that say a thousand words.
The Real Bonnie and Clyde: 7 Facts About the Outlaw Couple
Media depicts them as glamourous, fearless outlaws. But what was behind the myth of Bonnie and Clyde? These 7 lesser-known facts tell their story.
10 of the OLDEST Perfumes in the World
Here's a list of 10 perfumes on the scale from vintage to antique you can still buy today WITHOUT breaking the bank!
6:56
The Fascinating Tricks Behind 1920 Movie Stunts
Prepare to be amazed by the masters of 1920s movie magic.
The Surprising Link Between English and Sanskrit
Sanskrit is an ancient Indian language, but most people don't know that this archaic language and English have a common ancestor
17 Terrific Charts to Expand Your General Knowledge
We have a treat for all lifelong learners. It’s a list of 17 charts that will enrich your knowledge in geography, nutrition, linguistics & anything in-between!
So Long, Pope Francis: The Story of a Beloved Pope
Let's have a look at the remarkable life and legacy of Pope Francis, exploring the experiences and values that have shaped his papacy and inspired a global community.
8 Most Expensive Auction Items Sold in the Last Decade
This article explores the seven most expensive items sold at auction between 2015 and 2025
The 7 Most Popular Books Ever Sold
In this article, we set aside the Bible and focus on seven other books – from novels to reference works – that have achieved extraordinary global popularity.
These Photos Prove How Weird Our World Has Always Been
These strange yet intriguing photos depict what our world has gone through in its history.
The Golden Age of Old Hollywood: The People We Loved
Look at these gorgeous pictures to see how stars used to be...
This Man Interviewed 500 Rich People and Got These Tips!
Hill interviewed over 500 self-made millionaires over 20 years and these are his financial tips.
18 Amazing Facts About Very Well-Known Brands
There are some really interesting and amazing facts about some of the world's most well-known brands, and you're about to learn 18 of them right now!
7:04
48 Names For Things You Never Knew Had Any
Watch this fascinating video that will reveal to you some words you'll never hear spoken and yet describe things you see every day!
These Photos Will Give You Some Eye Opening Perspective
It’s hard to wrap your mind around something until you take a step back and take a look at the bigger picture. These fascinating comparison images might help.
12:42
Let a Violin Rockstar Brighten Your Day
Professional violin player Ji-Hae's mission to bring beautiful music to everyone.
3:30
Andre Rieu's Haunting Performance: The Godfather Theme
Andre Rieu's haunting rendition of the Godfather theme will leave you speechless.
53:21
The Wars of the Roses: England's Bloody Civil War
This epic civil war is one of the main influences for Game of Thrones and other epic stories. Learn all about it now.
10:42
Meet the 10 Most Dangerous Creatures from the Greek Myths
Greek mythology is filled with some truly fascinating and terrifying creatures. Get to know more about a few of them.
20 Cognitive Biases Ruining Our Decision Making Process
If you find it hard to make a decision, these cognitive stumbling blocks could be what's affecting your behavior.
19:01
How Islam Separated Into Sunni and Shia: The Full Story
What happened, and why did it cause Islam to split into two factions?
If You Have Old Toys Laying Around, You Might Be Rich
If you've got any of these toys from the 1980s laying around, then you might just be sitting on a goldmine!
12 Roman Quotes and Proverbs Well-Worth Remembering
Each of these 12 Roman phrase offers a glimpse into the mindset of a civilization that shaped the Western world.
16:36
15 Unusual Musical Instruments From Around the World
These are perhaps the most peculiar musical instruments you could possibly imagine.
12:52
Common Misconceptions About the Roman Empire
Not everything we hear and read about the Ancient Roman Empire is true, you know... These facts, for example, turned out to be pure fiction!
6:20
What's Hidden UNDER the Colosseum?
The exterior of the Colosseum is certainly epic, but the most remarkable part of this ancient structure is actually hidden underneath the surface...
Did You Know These Vintage Items Might Be Worth Something?
Did you know that there are certain items in your home that might just be worth something? Take a look at these 12 vintage items that may be valuable.
15:14
Ancient Technologies That Remain a Complete Mystery
Scientists may have solved the mystery of Egyptian pyramids, but there are still so many findings that are left completely unexplained
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.
58:01
Full Documentary: Genghis Khan's Legendary Mongol Empire
Learn all about his incredible conquests of the legendary Genghis Khan this cinematic full-length documentary.
14 Old Photos That Show Just How Hard Life Once Was
Remember when doing even the basic tasks took hours? These photos do.
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.