# Pedal-Powered Libraries Street Books Delivers Literature to Portland's Homeless By Michael Hines | Published 2011-08-19 | World Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/street-books References: [planetcustodian](http://www.planetcustodian.com/2011/08/pedal-powered-street-books-library-for-homeless/) & [streetbooks.org](http://streetbooks.org/) Portland-based artist/writer Laura Moulton is the genius behind Street Books, a [mobile library for the homeless](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/latin-america-memorial-library). Street Books offers those who live on Portland's streets the opportunity to read everything from classic titles to modern hits. Fun fact: to get a library card you must have a proof of address. Since the homeless don't have an address, they cannot get a library card and thus the need for Street Books. Moulton uses a card catalog to keep track of who checks out what and a return policy that makes heavy use of the [honor system](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/im-library-people). Moulton is not paid for operating Street Books but does accept donations in the form of new books. In addition to books, [stories and photos of patrons](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/personal-library) are also collected and published on Street Books' website. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.3/10 - Popularity: 29% | Activity: 31% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [World](https://www.trendhunter.com/world) > [Regional](https://www.trendhunter.com/regional) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Mobile Libraries:** Distributing books and literature to underserved communities through mobile libraries presents opportunities for reaching new audiences and increasing literacy rates. - **Honor System:** Implementing an honor system for library checkouts can remove barriers and increase access to books for those without a permanent address or proof of residency. - **Community Publishing:** Collecting and sharing stories and photos of library patrons creates opportunities for community-building and amplifying diverse voices. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Public Libraries:** Public libraries can explore the concept of mobile libraries to reach and engage with underserved populations and improve literacy rates in their communities. - **Nonprofit Organizations:** Nonprofit organizations can establish and support mobile libraries to address literacy and educational gaps in underserved communities. - **Publishing:** Publishing companies can collaborate with mobile libraries to provide books and resources to underserved populations and promote reading culture. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Mobile Reading Pavilions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/library-of-us.md) - [Open-Air Libraries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ikea-billyotheque.md) - [Mobile Glass Libraries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/la-libreria.md) - [Pedicab Shuttle Services](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/go-by-bike.md) - [Book Vending Machines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cornwall-public-library.md) - [Reading-Focused Compact Houses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/library-tiny-house.md) - [Temporary Translucent Libraries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/la-liberia.md) - [Banned Book Library Cards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/banned-books-library-card.md) - [Digital POC-Backed Libraries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/saint-heron-1.md)