On July 3, 2025, Daytona State College revealed its newest outreach effort, a mobile library known as the Book Bike. Funded by a grant from the Northeast Florida Library Information Network (NEFLIN), the project aims to make library resources more visible and accessible across campus.
“We were thinking of something that academic libraries don’t usually have,” said Claudia Davidson, a librarian at DSC. Inspired by similar ideas in public libraries, the team saw an opportunity to bring something new to the academic setting, something that could travel between campuses and meet students where they are.
The Book Bike is stocked with popular fiction, graphic novels, manga, and other genres. Davidson brings a laptop to each outing, allowing her to check out books to students on the spot. “If they come by the Book Bike and they browse and see something they want, I can check it out to them outside,” she said.
The bike appears on campus about twice a month and is also featured at various campus events. Its next solo outing is scheduled for Tuesday, September 23, from 2-4 p.m.
The response from faculty and students has been positive so far. Davidson noted that the bike’s eye-catching design draws people in, giving staff a chance to promote the physical library on the third floor of the student center and share information about upcoming events.
The team is already planning themed days, including one for May the 4th, featuring Star Wars titles and other sci-fi books.
But launching and maintaining the Book Bike hasn’t been without its challenges. “The biggest challenge we faced in launching the Book Bike is getting the word out,” said Anibal “AJ” Delgado Gonzalez, Director of Library Services. “Although the Book Bike is very striking, and will be noticed once outside, we have been finding ways to communicate to the community that the Book Bike is here and where they can find it.”
He added that upkeep involves everything from monitoring tire pressure to ensuring the bike stays protected during transport between campuses, something that the DSC facilities department has helped with.
Beyond helping students check out more books, the team hopes that the Book Bike will create a better sense of community on campus. Elizabeth Martino, a member of the library staff, said her dream setup would be a “cozy pop-up experience outside the Student Center, complete with blankets, crafts, and a curated selection of popular novels.”
Ultimately, the goal is visibility. “A lot of people might not even know that we’re here,” Davidson said.
“It’s not really obvious where the library is since we’re on the third floor of the student center,” she said. “So, I think it’s a good way for people to see that we’re here, and that we have a presence on campus.”