A Wright brothers descendant helped Oakwood develop a new idea to promote reading

Wright Memorial Public Library in Oakwood is rolling out a new service this summer that in part was created by a descendant of the Wright Brothers.

The Book Peddler is a library book bicycle that brings the library into the community and is funded by a grant from the Wright Memorial Public Library Foundation.

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Oakwood residents Bill Rieger and Stephen Wright designed and built The Book Peddler. Wright, a woodworker, and great grand-nephew of Orville, Wilbur and Katharine Wright, built the trailer. Rieger completed the graphic design.

Library Director Kristi Hale said that the Book Peddler is a mini-library on wheels, made up of a wooden trailer stocked with materials that is pulled behind a bicycle. The trailer opens on both sides to display books and other materials.

She added that visitors can check out items, register for a library card, find out about upcoming events and library services or use its mobile hotspot for free Wi-Fi.

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“Our vision is to make it a part of as many community events as possible, including the Farmer’s Market, Ice Cream Social, school events, and block parties,” Hale said. “There are also plans for pop-up library events in places where families tend to hang out, such as area parks.”

The Book Peddler initiative is one of the new ways that the library is working to meet the reading needs of the community.

“Because of Oakwood’s small size and mostly flat topography, the Book Peddler is the perfect vehicle for providing mobile library services out in community,” Hale said.

The Book Peddler’s appearances are still being developed, but the community can get a glimpse of the mobile library on a bike this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Wright Library’s Community Open House and at The Oakwood Farmer’s Market from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Saturday and at the same venue and time on Saturday, Sept. 1.

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“Wherever Oakwood residents are gathered, there is an opportunity for the Book Peddler to provide library services on the go,” Hale said.

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