Granville Public Library Book Bike

When the Granville Public Library set out to bring a community book bike to life, the dream hit an unexpected wall. Funds had been raised to hire a professional fabricator, but the company disappeared after taking the deposit, leaving the library without a book bike, without money, and after years of frustrating litigation, nearly without hope of ever finishing this project. When I heard what had happened, I knew we couldn’t let the story end there. I volunteered to design and build an entirely custom library book bike at no cost, determined to turn a major disappointment into something joyful, imaginative, and unmistakably Granville.

What began as a rugged industrial warehouse trike, originally built to haul heavy machinery and tools, became the foundation for a rolling celebration of books, creativity, and community. I designed and fabricated a custom outdoor-ready book box using plywood and weather-resistant materials, complete with modular shelving, hidden internal book storage, a pop-up whiteboard lid for community messages and activities, colorful accessories, a rainbow shade umbrella, a playful flag, whimsical sound effects, and an assortment of delightfully unnecessary horns. Every detail was built to feel playful, inviting, and just a little magical.

But the biggest challenge came after the build was complete. Even with its three-speed drivetrain, the fully loaded bike was too heavy for library staff to pedal around town comfortably. So I installed an electric hub motor in the front wheel. Suddenly, the book bike transformed from a difficult novelty into a fully functional mobile library that could effortlessly cruise to parks, festivals, schools, and community events throughout Granville.

Want to collaborate on something creative, weird, meaningful, or wonderfully unexpected? Email me at ryan@mcguiremade.com.