'Book Bike 2.0' Rolled Out By Heights Libraries

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH - The Heights Libraries have rolled out the new book bike, which will appear at community events throughout the summer.

The bike made its first appearance at the University Heights Memorial Day Parade. The bike will carry approximately 200 books, all donated or canceled library books. The bike will also have promotional and educational materials about early literacy.

“It’s a small library on wheels,” said Community Engagement Associate Isabelle Rew, who manages the bike and is its primary rider. “The only difference is that customers don’t have to return these books—they get to keep them.”

The bike was a gift from FRIENDS of Heights Libraries. Staff members have started referring to bike "book bike 2.0" because this is the library system's second book bike. The first book bike was used from 2013 to 2018, and is now in semi-retirement at the Noble Neighborhood branch.

Book Bike 1.0 will now be used exclusively for outreach through the Noble branch.

“The new design is more robust and easier to ride,” said Rew, “which ensures that we can continue our mission to reach more people and events in our community in this very green, sustainable way.

The book bike will make appearances throughout the summer. Residents can arrange a visit from the bike online.

"The Heights community has always embraced environmentalism and green initiatives, including cycling, so the book bike creates a lot of excitement—people really enjoy and appreciate not only the free books but the entire concept of people-powered literacy. They get it," Rew said.