The Electronic Bookmobile Available to Purchase

Bookmobiles have been an important part of public library service for over a century. Traditionally they have delivered recreational reading material, but new technologies now make it possible for high‐tech bookmobiles to provide a full range of information services. Telecommunications options such as mobile data radio, cellular telephone, and the use of satellites make online circulation, database searching, and facsimile service feasible for library mobile units. Optical disc and other compact storage technologies as well as state‐of‐the‐art navigation systems also have bookmobile applications. Unfortunately, the high cost of technology, particularly for mobile telecommunications, is among the problems delaying the development and commonplace use of ‘electronic bookmobiles’.