How Books Traveling to People Promotes Reading

Computers, tablets, and smartphones make it easy to read on the go, without carrying books or audio devices. But there is still a need and demand for physical books, magazines, and recorded sources of information and entertainment. Here are 2 ways that fulfill that need.

Celebrate National Bookmobile Day

Bookmobiles are mobile libraries that transport books from one local community to another. Bookmobiles make reading more accessible to people who don’t have access to physical public libraries.

National Bookmobile Day , March 22, 2026, celebrates this bookmobile service. The occasion celebrates the work and dedication of the many people involved, including library professionals, drivers, and donors.

National Bookmobile Day – April 22, 2026

The first public library I visited was a bookmobile.

Every week the bookmobile parked next to my elementary school. I climbed the steps into the bus, and walked down the book- lined aisle. These books took me to faraway places, introduced me to famous people, and helped me dream of what I could do with my life.

I read about people who tried new things, made discoveries, travelled around the world and invented products that changed our lives.

From books I discovered the mysteries of the human body and read about people who studied to understand it, to uncover the causes of diseases, and work to cure them.

And I learned about people who used their talents, time and knowledge to make the world a better place. From the library, my dream of working in healthcare was born and nurtured.

Before I graduated from elementary school, a permanent library was built at the site where the bookmobile parked. I continued to make the library my second home, and learned to love the new building.

Go here to learn about the history of National Bookmobile Day

statue of boy reading a book — photo by Dr. Aletha, at a park in Bixby, Oklahoma

Do you buy new or used books, magazines, audiobooks, or DVDs? What do you do with them after you read them?

Last year I began participating in a unique project to service members, veterans, and their families-Operation Paperback.

Operation Paperback

Operation Paperback began in 1999, sending its first shipments to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. It has since shipped over 3.7 million books to 30+ locations overseas.

With 19,000+ volunteers from all 50 states, these individual citizens, American families, and community groups form a network of shippers that send around 15,000 books per month.

They value the praise received at home, the words that mean the most are those that come directly from those served. They appreciate the efforts.

On behalf of my unit and those that received your books through Operation Paperback here at our deployed location, thank you. We greatly appreciate the time and effort you have put into providing us a measure of comfort while we are separated from our friends and family.

Having people out there supporting us during this past holiday season provided us all a welcome respite from normal day-to-day operations. Thank you for your support and dedication during this time. Warm Regards

By: Jessica E (Overseas) (from the website)

Operation Paperback is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization incorporated in the State of Pennsylvania. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.

There are two ways you can help Operation Paperback.

Donate money to help fund the purchase and shipment of high-demand genres and other special request books.
Send books, new or gently used, directly to troops, veterans, and their families. As a volunteer shipper, you will collect and ship your own books using the addresses they provide.

How will you help? Learn more and sign up here.

This post’s cover photo was created using AI.

Exploring the HEART of Health

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Me, at the New York Public Library, on a long-ago trip

Author: Aletha Cress Oglesby, M.D.

As a family physician, I explore the HEART of HEALTH in my work, recreation, community, and through writing. My blog, Watercress Words, informs and inspires us to live in health. I believe we can turn our health challenges into healthy opportunities. When we do, we can share the HEART of health with our families, communities, and the world. Come explore and share with me. View all posts by Aletha Cress Oglesby, M.D.