House of SpeakEasy & Garment District Alliance Present
On the Road: A Bookmobile Block Party
A Free Public Celebration of Literature on Broadway for Car-Free Earth Day
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Broadway between 36th & 37th streets
NEW YORK, NY — In celebration of Car-Free Earth Day, House of SpeakEasy and the Garment District Alliance will close Broadway between 36th and 37th streets for On the Road: A Bookmobile Block Party, a free, open-air literary event featuring House of SpeakEasy’s Bookmobile, free book distribution, and complimentary lemonade served by the Garment District Alliance.
The event takes place on the day of House of SpeakEasy’s annual spring gala, Metamorphosis: On the Wings of a Tale, to be held at Gotham Hall, bringing the organization’s mission to the streets of Manhattan and inviting the public to experience the transformative power of reading.
“At House of SpeakEasy, we believe that book ownership should be a right, not a privilege. Owning a book is a unique form of wealth. What the SpeakEasy Bookmobile is doing is enabling that wealth to be shared.”
“We’re proud to partner with House of SpeakEasy to transform Broadway into a pedestrian-friendly destination, bringing books and literary programming to New Yorkers in celebration of Car-Free Earth Day. This event reflects the energy and creativity that define the Garment District, fostering a vibrant, welcoming neighborhood for all who live in, work in, and visit Midtown Manhattan.”
The SpeakEasy Bookmobile Fleet
This day will mark the debut of House of SpeakEasy’s new fleet of three Bookmobiles, each designed to bring free books directly to the communities that need them most:
The House of SpeakEasy Flagship Bookmobile: This flagship box truck launches an ambitious national tour this summer, themed “We the People” in conjunction with the 250th anniversary of American independence. The tour departs June 9, 2026, from Joe’s Pub in New York City.
The NEW House of SpeakEasy Electric Bookmobile: This all-electric pop-up Bookmobile features the artwork of beloved illustrator Richard Scarry, whose joyful books have sold over 100 million copies worldwide.
The NEW House of SpeakEasy Sprinter Bookmobile: Featuring the artwork of nationally acclaimed author/illustrator James Yang, the newest addition to the fleet expands the organization’s capacity to serve communities nationwide.
The History of the Bookmobile
The House of SpeakEasy Bookmobile is part of a storied lineage of mobile libraries stretching back to America’s first bookmobile, launched in 1904. However, the SpeakEasy Bookmobile does something different: it goes where the need for books is greatest and distributes new books for free. Since its founding in 2017, the Bookmobile has traveled thousands of miles across the country, distributing tens of thousands of books in 18 cities across 14 states.
Event Details
What: On the Road: A Bookmobile Block Party
When: Wednesday, April 22, 2026, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Where: Broadway between 36th and 37th streets, Manhattan (outside Gotham Hall)
Admission: Free and open to the public
Features: Free books, free lemonade, and live literary programming
About House of SpeakEasy
House of SpeakEasy is grounded in the belief that the ability to read and write enables a person to know their rights, be confident in their identity, and engage boldly and empathetically with the world around them. Learn more at houseofspeakeasy.org.
About the Garment District Alliance
The Garment District Alliance is a not-for-profit corporation established in 1993 to improve the quality of life and economic vitality of Manhattan’s Garment District. For more information, visit garmentdistrict.nyc/arts.
About Richard Scarry
Richard Scarry’s joyful, richly detailed books have sold over 100 million copies worldwide. His Busytown universe has taught millions of young readers their first words.
About James Yang
James Yang is a Brooklyn-based illustrator, author, and winner of the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award. In 2026, his artwork was selected for the U.S. Postal Service’s Love Forever Stamps.
MEDIA CONTACT
Walter Greene, Marketing Manager
House of SpeakEasy
+1 (845) 667-0026
[email protected]