LSU Engineering Students Partner with East Baton Rouge Parish Library to Create Mobile Book Bike
May 14, 2026
The Pageturner team present their project at the Capstone Design Showcase.
BATON ROUGE – A team of LSU engineering seniors is helping bring books, technology and library outreach directly into the community through an innovative new project for the East Baton Rouge Parish Library system.
Dubbed “The Page Turner,” the project combines an electric tricycle with a custom-built mobile library trailer designed to travel throughout Baton Rouge neighborhoods, community events and outreach programs. The initiative is part of the library’s growing effort to expand access to books and services beyond traditional library buildings.
The project was developed as an LSU Engineering senior capstone project where a seven-member team of students spent months designing, welding, testing and assembling the custom-fabricated trailer structure in LSU’s Advanced Manufacturing and Machining Facility (AMMF).
The seven-student team consists of mechanical, electrical and computer engineering students—Madison Seymour, ME, from Houston; Austin Thom, EE, of New Orleans; Rebeca Carrillo, EE, of New Orleans; Halle Roach, ME, of Lauderhill, Fla.; Hayden Arzate, CE, of Gonzales; Logan O’Quin, EE, of Mandeville; and Syrena Stewart, ME, of Shreveport, La.
“This project was my first choice,” Seymour said. “I grew up going to the library, and some of my favorite memories are checking out books as a kid. This is a way to bring that experience to people who might not otherwise have access to it.”
The team worked closely with East Baton Rouge Parish Library Bookmobile and Outreach Services Manager/Community Outreach Specialist Tameka Roby throughout the process to refine the design and ensure it meets the library’s needs. The EBRP Library already operates larger bookmobiles that serve schools, neighborhoods and community organizations. However, Roby envisioned a smaller, more flexible alternative that could navigate bike paths, parks, apartment complexes and crowded community events more easily than a traditional bus.
“The ‘Page Turner’ affords us the opportunity to not only provide necessary services and information for members of our community who are not capable of visiting our brick-and-mortar buildings, but also literally fits in spaces that don’t have the capacity to house our large mobile units,” Roby said.
“This unit will allow us to perform library card signups, share important information about upcoming events and, of course, share our love of reading. The ‘Page Turner’ will not only meet our patrons directly at their point of need, but also celebrate literacy, movement, and recreation in a vibrant photo-op-worthy way.”
“ The ‘Page Turner’ will not only meet our patrons directly at their point of need, but also celebrate literacy, movement, and recreation in a vibrant photo-op-worthy way. ”
Unlike many book bikes used across the country, “The Page Turner” is designed to be
larger and more interactive. The custom trailer features walk-in access, collapsible
and expandable components, lighting, storage shelving and electrical systems designed
for safety and visibility on public streets.
Front Yard Bikes installed the battery-powered electrical system using electric assist—a
built-in electric motor that helps to turn the pedals—making transporting heavy loads
easier, especially at the bike’s maximum capacity of 800 pounds.
The trailer also includes brake lights, reflective safety features, a Bluetooth stereo with speakers, LED light strips, turn signals, and Wi-Fi capabilities to support modern outreach needs.
Roby will now be able to set up a small screen to show movies, teach a quick Libby tutorial, conduct a Hive class exercise/movement demonstration, or help patrons charge their phones and other devices.
The team hopes the completed “Page Turner” will eventually appear at schools, neighborhood events, LSU and Southern University football games and other community gatherings, helping promote literacy and library engagement across Baton Rouge.
“We are blown away with the ‘Page Turner,’” Roby said. “I cannot wait to zip up and down our East Baton Rouge Parish roads, delivering all kinds of library love, and maybe even a popsicle or two!” Roby said.
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