Books by bike: Why it works?

Abstract

Books by E-Bike is an outreach initiative developed by the Marko Marulić City Library to bring books directly to older citizens and individuals with limited mobility who can no longer visit the library. Using an e-bicycle, a librarian delivers books to users' homes in a practical, sustainable, and cost-effective way. The service requires minimal resources and allows staff to engage with users in a more personal way—offering not just books, but conversation, and a sense of belonging.

This project aligns with the theme “Not reinventing the wheel – taking a product or service and repurposing it to suit your specific environment or situation”. While the concept of book lending is foundational to libraries, Books by E-Bike adapts it to a local urban setting using existing resources, staff time, and a simple bicycle. No complex infrastructure was required—only a small shift in approach, staff roles, and use of available resources. The result is a beloved service that reduces isolation, strengthens community ties, and reaffirms the library’s presence in users’ daily lives. By extending traditional services in a new direction, Books by E-Bike demonstrates how even the smallest innovations—when grounded in user needs—can have lasting and meaningful impact. Keywords: library services to the elderly, equal access, inclusion