History on the move: new library van wrap celebrates Oxford’s mobile library heritage

If you spot the newly wrapped Oxford County Library transit van on the road, it’s carrying more than books and supplies — it also holds glimpses of mobile library history. The wrap features archival photographs of the Oxford County Library Cooperative’s first vehicle (1953–1964), along with images of Louise Krompart, Oxford’s first County Librarian, and Christine Crocker, Assistant Librarian.

While not a bookmobile like the Ox on the Run Mobile Library Service, which brings programs and services directly to residents, the transit van travels between OCL’s 14 community branches and the Oxford County Administration Building, and also supports inter-departmental deliveries for Woodingford Lodge, EarlyON, and Paramedic Services.

Images were sourced from the Oxford County Archives, the Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario collections, and the London Free Press Collection of Photographic Negatives at Western University Archives and Special Collections.