Bold Vehicle Graphics Help Take Libraries to the Community

A fully-wrapped mobile library operated by the Colorado-based Poudre Libraries was recently introduced to deliver books and other materials to specific communities – particularly children and adults – in the Northern Colorado area. Resplendent in bold graphics, and carrying about 1,500 books and audiobooks, the all-electric vehicle, known as “Evie,” also serves as a place to get involved with the library, to check out and return books, and as a mobile hot spot.

The mobile library project also included an electric book bike. | Credit: Poudre Libraries

The vehicle’s striking graphics drew inspiration from a mural by award-winning author and illustrator Rafael Lopez, in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado. Lopez donated the mural to Poudre Libraries in honor of its IMAGINANTES program, which engages underserved youth with their community. The mural was painted by IMAGINANTES participants. In addition to being used in the van graphics, the design was also used for the library system’s new electric book bike, which is used to deliver library programs and services, particularly story-times and pop-up activities.

Printing and installation of the project was carried out by Action Signs & Banners (Fort Collins, Colorado). According to Travis Schuett, project designer, the project was printed on the company’s 64” HP Latex printer and completed by the company’s lead installer. One element that helped this project succeed, he says, is good design. “The designer did a very good job providing print-ready files that didn’t require much adjusting.” Because of the complexity of the design, he says measurement and alignment on the wrap had to be very precise. Asked what he thinks of the completed job, he says, “I think it looks amazing … seeing it going down the road is a good feeling for us.”

Katie Auman, communications and development director at Poudre Libraries, shared the customer view of this project:

When did Evie initially hit the road?

Our vision for a mobile library and initial planning started in 2021. Over time, our plans evolved to have the mobile library be a fully electric vehicle that could serve our community and also further our library’s sustainability efforts.

Evie officially debuted on April 22, 2023, as part of our community’s Earth Day celebration and our library’s National Library Week activities. Evie is Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region’s first all-electric, zero-emissions mobile library van, so it was fitting to have her hit the road on Earth Day.

What has the reception been for Evie, particularly its external design?

The reception for Evie has been amazing. She is a head turner when library staff take her out and about. People absolutely love the design! Evie seems to elicit fond memories for adults of childhood bookmobile visits and wows young children, especially the chance to walk on to Evie, browse the shelves, and select books to check out.

We really wanted to create an experience for visitors from the time they see Evie on the road to the time we pack up and head to the next destination – we were able to do that through a combination of the vibrant artwork that wraps the van exterior and the space that we created inside and outside the mobile library.

For the he artwork … we worked with Rafael to license and update his artwork for the van wrap, not only changing colors to match our new branding but to also ensure that it worked on the exterior of a vehicle. The original community mural was done on a single flat wall; with the updated design, we had to take into account the curves and cutouts of the vehicle and determine how to place the pieces of the original artwork so it looked cohesive around the vehicle. It was a fun and challenging design project, and we couldn’t be more thrilled with the results.

How effective is Evie as a mobile focal point for the library system?

We couldn’t have created a more visually stunning design and representation of the library. Not only does the Evie function as a mobile library but she is essentially rolling artwork. And the design honors the communities that are primarily served through our outreach team.

Public libraries have transformed over the years and become community hubs. We wanted our outreach vehicles to evoke that same excitement and energy that our buildings do, so we couldn’t go with a traditional design. We needed something that was colorful and vibrant, just like the library. You can’t miss Evie on the road!