National Library Outreach Day (formerly National Bookmobile Day) celebrates library outreach and the dedicated library professionals who are meeting their patrons where they are. Whether it’s a bookmobile stop at the local elementary school, services provided to community homes, or library pop-ups at community gatherings, these services are essential to the community. Each year, National Library Outreach Day is celebrated on Wednesday of National Library Week.
In 2026, National Library Outreach Day is on Wednesday, April 22.
National Library Outreach Day is an opportunity for library advocates to make their support known—through thanking library staff, writing a letter or e-mail to their libraries, or voicing their support to community leaders.
National Library Outreach Day is coordinated by the ALA Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services (ODLOS), the Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services (ABOS), and the Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL).
ACLA Mobile Services
ACLA Mobile Services is on the road every day, providing support services to enhance and expand the rich library resources available in Allegheny County. Mobile Services offers much of what a physical library building provides, offering a personalized environment in a location accessible to patrons who may not otherwise be able to visit a library.
Community Route
There are 3 community stops that serve a school district, a municipality, and a library. The bookmobile is stocked with a wide variety of materials for children and adults, and provides many of the same library services available in a stationary building.
Preschool Services
ACLA Mobile Library Services provides monthly visits to select Head Start classrooms and daycares throughout Allegheny County. A visit consists of a 20-minute storytime in the classroom followed by a visit to the bookmobile by the children and staff, where they can check out their own books. We also register children for what will typically be their first library card.
Senior Services
ACLA Mobile Library Services provides monthly visits to select senior high-rises and assisted living centers throughout Allegheny County. Bookmobile staff will bring multiple book carts into the facility, along with items that were pre-ordered by residents and/or activity personnel. In this way, Mobile Services eliminates many barriers to the use of the bookmobile such as inclement weather, navigating sidewalks and stairs, and possibly excluding patrons from taking advantage of the service due to other mobility issues.