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












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
Do You Live in One of the 10 Oldest US Capitals?
Learn about the 10 oldest capital cities in the USA.
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.
13 Books That Will Make Your Time Fly
These times of social distancing are perfect for catching up on your reading. Check out this list of 13 must reads to get started.
22 Rare and Beautifully Colorized Historical Photos
Looking through these meticulously colorized photos, most of which were taken during the two World Wars, is a unique and moving experience.
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!
These 6 Mysterious Objects Can't Be Explained by Anyone
Archaeology is a very rewarding discipline, but there are some mysteries that never get solved. Take these 6 ancient objects. What they are is anyone's guess!
20 Compliments to Show Your Friends You Appreciate Them
Our friends deserve to be appreciated from time to time. These compliments will surely make them smile.
Can You Spot the Camouflaged Creatures in These Photos?
These wonderful animals have gone into hiding. Can you find them? If not, just click on the photo to reveal all!
12:16
An In-Depth Look Into Who Princess Diana Truly Was...
A remarkable feature-length documentary that reveals a side of Diana we have never seen before.
Louis Armstrong Said it Best, Didn't He...?
This amazing song can really open your eyes to nature's beauty, and the beauty we make for ourselves.
All Coffee Drinkers Should Know These 17 Facts
A lot of adults drink at least one cup of coffee each day, but very few actually know these facts about coffee.
10 Amazing Facts You Didn't Know About Christmas
With Christmas just a few days away, get to know these fun and interesting facts about the festival to get into the holiday spirit.
7:55
Welcome to Professional Santa Claus School!
Peek into the classrooms of the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School in Midland, Michigan. This is where they make Santas!
15:00
Nostalgia: The Unforgettable Commercials of the 60s & 70s!
These classic television commercials from the 60s and 70s are a must watch!
59:00
The History Behind Halloween Isn't Quite What You Think...
If you've ever wondered what the origin of Halloween is and what all the fuss about pumpkins, fancy dress, and trick-or-treating is all about, then you should definitely give this documentary a watch.
9:37
What Did the Future Mean to 1958 High Schoolers?
Peep into a high school debate from 1958 about the teenager's future. Are their arguments still relevant today?
Instead of Plastic, These People Used Smart Alternatives
Check out 14 excellent examples of people and companies fighting the global plastic problem.
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
10:39
This Physician's Map Helped Stop the 1854 Cholera Epidemic
Learn all about John Snow, the renowned physician who helped stop the 1854 cholera outbreak with a simple map.
4:27
Watch 23,000 Dominos Fall in Less Than a Minute
Enjoy watching dominoes fall? Then you'll LOVE watching this massive 23.000-domino construction shatter in less than a minute!
These Regulations Should be Adopted by Every Country!
There are weird laws in different parts of the world, but some of them are so amazingly beneficial, they should be put into use everywhere.
115 Incredible Facts You Never Knew About Cats!
Cats are the most popular animal on the internet by far, so we made this extensive list of cat facts that will turn you into a feline expert!
21 Incredible Items Unearthed by Metal Detectors
Metal detecting is a surprisingly popular hobby. Here are some of the coolest and most valuable items found by amateur metal detector hobbyists.
14 Mind-Blowing Optical Illusions You Must See
After trying to wrap your head around these crazy visual challenges, your eyes will be tired but your mind will be thrilled and elated!
12 Love Stories of Couples that Grew Better with Age
12 couples share their stories of growing old together, alongside a dose of worldly wisdom.
This Fascinating Tree Shows How Languages Are Connected
Most of the languages that we speak today can be placed into a couple of groups by their origin. Find out more here.
These Amazing Illusions Are Enough to Make Your Head Spin
Optical illusions have the potential to highlight how the human mind plays tricks when it comes to perceiving things. Take a look at these 20 optical illusions.
Ruby Chocolate is More Than Just Its Pretty Pink Color
Ruby chocolate, the "fourth type of chocolate", has been gaining a lot of attention of late. Is it really a different type of chocolate?
4:29
Meet Lydian Nadhaswaram – The Piano Prodigy of India
Watch child prodigy Lydian Nadhaswaram switch between several famous movie score montages on the piano.
Facts from History You’ve Likely Never Heard Before
If you’re someone who loves uncovering the lesser-known corners of the past, you’ll find something special here.
A Dying Father's Heart Moving Gesture...
A beautiful and touching gesture by a dying father.
Creative Shopping Ideas You’ll Wish Were Everywhere
These stores are setting new standards for what shopping should feel like.
Snuggle Up with These Feel-Good TV Shows This Winter
Cozy up this winter with these feel-good TV shows.
10 Fascinating History Facts You Probably Didn’t Know
In this article, we collected 10 absolutely fascinating historical facts, many of which touch upon the unexpected origins of concepts like New Year's resolutions.
10 Insightful Greek Proverbs You've Never Heard Of
Take a look at some common Greek proverbs that are full of wisdom.
These 20 Vintage Images Will Take You Way Back In Time
As digital images continue to take over, vintage images seem to take on much more significance and wonder. These 20 images will take you back to a bygone eta.
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.
6 Ways to Be Liked According to Top FBI Secret Agent
No one knows more about how to gain friends and trust than a top FBI secret agent. Here he provides 6 amazing rules to help you be loved by all.
14:14
History Lesson: The Armored War Elephants of Ancient India
Elephants in ancient Indian history played a crucial part in warfare. Find out more about their fascinating history...
How I Would Love to Walk in New York of a Century Ago
These images of old New York, supplied by the Library of Congress, give us an idea of what life was like in the early 1900s in this city.
24 Classic Books That Give You Important Life Lessons
Here is a look at ten great classic books that have some deep underlying moral lessons for all of us.
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.
These Latin Phrases Will Make You Think About Life
Take note of these beautiful and wise Latin phrases and understand their deep meanings.
8 Bizarre Customs From Not-So-Long Ago
Here are 8 practices that used to be viewed as normal in the past, but today they seem bizarre, dangerous... or both!
6:15
John Williams Conducts the Theme Song from “Jurassic Park”
Watch legendary composer enthrall the audience as he conducts the famous theme music from “Jurassic Park”.
Frazil, Haboob & Other Weather Words Your Didn't Know
You might have heard a few of these meteorological terms before, but you probably don’t know what they mean.
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.