Mobile & Outreach Services
Map and Schedule
Mobile Library Interest Form
Before You Request a Visit
We focus on serving people who have fewer resources and less access. Because there’s high demand, we are not be able to meet every request.
Service Area Statement
All sites must be within the Alameda County Library service area.
Our service area includes:
- Cities with Alameda County Community Libraries
- Unincorporated areas of Alameda County, such as Cherryland, Ashland, Hayward Acres, San Lorenzo, and Castro Valley.
You can find more examples of unincorporated areas using the Alameda County Unincorporated Locator map.
New sites must meet our service area requirements and depend on our availability.
Cities Outside Our Service Area
If your site is in one of the following cities, please contact that city's library for mobile or outreach services:
- Hayward (incorporated areas)
- San Leandro (incorporated areas)
- Oakland
- Livermore
- Pleasanton
- Berkeley
Request a Visit
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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We are very similar to your Community Library although we do not offer printing or computer services. All you need to check out materials is an AC Library Card. If your Library Card is expired, or you need a new or replacement card, we can help you on the Mobile Library, with or without an ID. If you do not have an ID, we can give you a Welcome Card with limited borrowing privileges.
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Yes, you can return Mobile Library items to any AC Library location. If you need to return items that you checked out at one of our Community Libraries, we can accept them on the Mobile Library.
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In general, all items are due back on the date of our next scheduled stop.
Programs We Offer
Public Mobile Library Service
Poppy (Mobile Library Van) and Redwood (Mobile Library Bus) visit neighborhoods across the county in order to deliver library services where they're needed most.
Partnership Programs
We bring library services directly to students, teachers, after-school programs, and summer camps through our School Partnership program.
Our Preschool Partnership program offers storytimes. Children can choose books to read in their classroom, and teachers can check out materials for their classrooms.
Outreach Libraries
We work with community organizations to offer outreach libraries: small collections that provide easy access to books and resources for the people they serve. If your organization is interested in hosting an outreach library, please contact us.
Mobile Library Fleet
Named after two icons of the California native landscape, Poppy and Redwood are our stunning new vehicles.
Mobile Library Fleet
Named after two icons of the California native landscape, Poppy and Redwood are our stunning new vehicles.
Redwood
Redwood offers a larger than life library on wheels experience. At 40 ft long, it houses approximately 7000 books and its spacious layout allows us to serve 10-15 members or a classful of students at a time.
Poppy
Poppy is our smaller more agile outreach van. It holds nearly 1000 books, a wheelchair lift for ADA access, and has the size and flexibility to maneuver in more densely populated areas.
Redwood
Redwood offers a larger than life library on wheels experience. At 40 ft long, it houses approximately 7000 books and its spacious layout allows us to serve 10-15 members or a classful of students at a time.
Poppy
Poppy is our smaller more agile outreach van. It holds nearly 1000 books, a wheelchair lift for ADA access, and has the size and flexibility to maneuver in more densely populated areas.
Books About Bookmobiles
Our Purpose
Mobile & Outreach Service focuses on serving people who have fewer resources and less access. We operate two mobile libraries, perform targeted outreach with community partners, and maintain Outreach Libraries that provides curated library collections that are tailored to each location’s audience.
Mobile library service has been part of our work for over 70 years. We continue to connect with people wherever they live, learn, and gather.