Post by hulia-j

What are the most creative ways to distribute information in the modern world? Well, you can go online, buy a kindle, use the library … or even find one of those classic small town “book mobiles” (which apparently still exist)

All of these are more or less widely available to most of us — you are reading this post on a computer, yes? — but what can be easy to get, can also be fairly boring.

book mobile by flickr user paulswansen

Isn’t there anything more fun than a book mobile?

Surely not a kindle.

What about a tank?!

Raul Lemesoff, an Argentinan artist has built an Arma De Instruccion Masiva (Weapon of Mass Instruction) and drives around the country delivering books to anyone who wants one. All books were donated and are free.

Raul passes through cities and let’s folks grab books right off the truck. He also drives his tank in rural areas where access to information and books can be limited, especially for children.

The choice of a tank is interesting because it speaks to the form and the function of the arma de instruccion — conquering new territories with knowledge much as a tank conquers new areas through force and control. It is also an inherently political statement, where as the book mobile is just about the least offensive vehicle you could possibly ever see on a road.

But know what’s even cooler (or at least cuter) than a book tank?

A book mule. Or should I say, Bibilomulas!

Proyecto Bibliomulas is a university initiative to improve literacy in remote, rural areas in Venezuela by bringing books to kids on mules. Started several years ago, the program has expanded to include (at least one) more mule, has a website, and is just a part of a larger social initiative which may include expanding internet access, medicine delivery, and information to even more rural areas in Venezuela.