Tauranga City library users may have a double take the next time they see the mobile library bus, as its first repaint writes the next chapter in its existence.

From today until January 26 the mobile library bus is off the road as it's being repainted with officials keeping tight-lipped on the new colour scheme and design.

The mobile library bus is off the road getting a new paint job this week. Photo: File.

'This is the first time in its very long existence that it is being repainted and we can't wait to see how it turns out,” reads a post on Tauranga City Libraries' Facebook page.

'Be on the lookout for it Tuesday the 27^th and let us know what you think.”

Tauranga City Library manager Jill Best told SunLive last month the repaint is the first time in the bus' 15-year existence that the new design will represent Tauranga.

The Mobile Library bus has been part of the city libraries service since it was purchased in 1999, replacing an earlier model.

Since then the mobile library's main problems have been political, but moves to remove it on budgetary grounds have been overturned by public support for the service.

'It will be a different design and different colour, but we haven't unveiled that yet,” said Jill at the time.

'It will look quite different and beautifully reflect that's it a Tauranga bus.”

The mobile library has had a busy few months having been off the road prior to Christmas after a car slammed into it on a bend near the Faith Bible College in Welcome Bay on November 10.

The driver of the red Holden Astra appeared to lose control on a bend before hitting the front of the library bus, killing 19-year-old passenger Karanbir Singh.

The mobile library resumed normal service on December 18 offering about 3000 books to the community following a long layoff.