The Stuttgart mobile library is formed of the two buses Max and Moritz, which take reading fun to young and old alike, and in so doing have gained a loyal fan club!
Magazine
When the bus brings the books.
In Stuttgart, two Setra S 415 UL vehicles have been converted into libraries on wheels.
Two Setra S 415 ULs have been converted into mobile libraries, driving to nurseries and schools to ignite a passion for reading in children. Their range of books, magazines and comics inspire both young and old alike.
Two Setra S 415 ULs as mobile libraries.
“The children love the bus and always want to ride along”, says Stephanie Zeiner, Head of Stuttgart Mobile Library. She took the wheel of the library about a year ago – quite literally! The librarian has a bus driver’s licence herself and, if her drivers are unavailable, she is able to fill in.
The exterior design of the bus makes it plain to see that this is a library on wheels.
The exterior design of the bus makes it plain to see that this is a library on wheels.
The two mobile libraries are named “Max” and “Moritz” after the well-known German children's books. Both are Setra S 415 ULs. Max was first registered in 2009, making him slightly older than Moritz, who was registered in 2013. Having been professionally converted into libraries on wheels, the two buses are now kitted out with the latest additional equipment standard for libraries: a projector and screen, an awning, and of course, staff workstations and self-issue machines for borrowing books. The side and roof windows have also been covered up. On board the S 415 ULs, customers can choose to borrow from around 4,000 to 4,500 items, which, in addition to books, also include magazines, comics and films. Books are not only in high demand, but also have a proven positive impact on young people's development. Studies show that children who read books regularly develop significantly better speech comprehension.
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On-board: Around 4,000 to 4,500 books, magazines, comics and films, as well as the latest standard library equipment.
On-board: Around 4,000 to 4,500 books, magazines, comics and films, as well as the latest standard library equipment.
On-board: Around 4,000 to 4,500 books, magazines, comics and films, as well as the latest standard library equipment.
On-board: Around 4,000 to 4,500 books, magazines, comics and films, as well as the latest standard library equipment.
On-board: Around 4,000 to 4,500 books, magazines, comics and films, as well as the latest standard library equipment.
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Stephanie Zeiner, Head of the Stuttgart Mobile Library
Children are particularly fascinated by the driver's workstation on the bus – and often want to climb behind the wheel themselves!
Stephanie Zeiner, Head of the Stuttgart Mobile Library
The bus is a highlight for children.
At around 8 a.m. each morning, the buses leave the mobile library's depot in Stuttgart before parking up at nurseries and schools. "For most children, the bus is one of the highlights of their day, a real attraction. Browsing books in a library on wheels is double the fun", says Stephanie Zeiner. "Boys in particular are amazed at the combination of technology and media. Children are particularly fascinated by the driver's workstation on the bus – and often want to climb behind the wheel themselves!" she says with a laugh.
Books on tour.
In the afternoons, the buses make up to three stops in local neighbourhoods. Max and Moritz drive to places in Stuttgart where there is no stationary library, including Asemwald, Kaltental, Sillenbuch and Wangen. Max drives around 7,600 kilometres a year and Moritz around 4,000 kilometres a year. The two Setras are on the road five days a week, with an average daily mileage of around 40 kilometres: a very manageable figure.
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Many of the children would love nothing more than to drive the Setra buses straight away, but of course, without a driver's license, this is a no-can-do!
The predecessors of the two current Stuttgart mobile libraries were also named “Max” and “Moritz”.
The predecessors of the two current Stuttgart mobile libraries were also named “Max” and “Moritz”.
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People love spending time on board the buses.
Stephanie Zeiner, Head of the Stuttgart Mobile Library
Buses with a big fan club
The Setra buses are the place to be for book lovers of all ages. Climb aboard, and you'll find as many different people as there are books on the shelves: as well as lots of parents with their children, patrons also include a children’s book author who frequented the mobile library herself as a child and who today finds inspiration in “Max's” library books. Another regular is an older woman, no longer so steady on her feet, who says with enthusiasm: “I’m so happy to have the mobile library.”
Max and Moritz meet children and adults where they are: in nurseries, schools and neighbourhoods. The mobile libraries have been part of city life in Stuttgart since 1971, creating a very close relationship between the regular customers and the mobile library team, and the Setra buses Max and Moritz have long been part of the family here. Stephanie Zeiner highlights that the book offering fosters linguistic, social and cognitive development in children, and adds: “People love spending time on board the buses, and long may that continue!”
Always a cheerful presence in the mobile library: Bus driver Oliver Ehrke on board the bus