Some people are just built differently, and their desire to help society never stops, one such example is a retired teacher, Antonio La Cava from Italy. Being a retired teacher he broke the code of retirement and started a mobile library, to spread the joy of reading far and wide. In the mesmerizing hills of Basilicata, Italy, a breeze of innovation carries the promise of knowledge. Amidst the rocky escarpments, a pale blue miniature bus gracefully navigates, cradling infinite adventures condensed into a mobile library.
Antonio’s noble endeavor began when he decided to transform his Ape 3-wheeler van. He transformed the wheel into a tiny book repository wheels. In Italian, “Ape” means bee, and just like a diligent bee, Antonio buzzes through the narrow lanes and remote villages of Basilicata, carrying an ignite of change. Even after a 42-year teaching career, Antonio didn’t stop and felt that he could still do something for children to discover the joy of reading books and the written word.
In a world where technology is taking over the joy of reading. Antonio’s mobile library emerges as a symbol of resilience, community, and the enduring magic found within the book. As it winds its way through Basilicata’s landscapes, this miniature marvel leaves behind not just tire tracks but a legacy of literacy and knowledge. A van full of books, that can indeed change the world with one page at a time.
A library on wheels, spreading joy with each turn. Love this tiny treasure
