Library on Wheels: Mary Lemist Titcomb and America's First Bookmobile

(Hardback)

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Description

If you can't bring the man to the books, bring the books to the man.

Mary Lemist Titcomb (1852-1932) was always looking for ways to improve her library. As librarian at the Washington County Free Library in Maryland, Titcomb was concerned that the library was not reaching all the people it could. She was determined that everyone should have access to the library - not just adults and those who lived in town. Realizing its limitations and inability to reach the county's 25,000 rural residents, including farmers and their families, Titcomb set about to change the library system forever with the introduction of book-deposit stations throughout the country, a children's room in the library, and her most revolutionary idea of all - a horse-drawn Book Wagon. Soon book wagons were appearing in other parts of the country, and by 1922, the book wagon idea had received widespread support. The bookmobile was born!

Reviews

**STARRED REVIEW**
"Readers will be inspired by Titcombs dedication to her work and indifference to naysayers. The books attractive layout resembles a scrapbook, where archival photos, reproductions of letters, and other historic ephemera grace most pages. Glenns accessible writing provides just the right amount of historical context to highlight the extraordinary nature of Titcombs work and unquestionably establishes her as a true American pioneer."

* Booklist *
Attractively designed to resemble a scrapbook, the engaging narrative is complemented with archival photographs, reproductions of correspondence, and other artifacts. An ennobling portrait of a pioneer who took the library out of its walls and to the public * Kirkus Reviews *
Handsomely design, well researched biography . . . * Publishers Weekly *
Glenn incorporates many quotes from Titcombs contemporaries into the narrative, providing a well-rounded view of Titcomb and the reception of her work . . . Bibliophiles, history lovers, and fans of libraries will thoroughly enjoy this pleasing addition to nonfiction collections. * School Library Journal *

Author Bio

Sharlee Glenn has published articles, essays, poems, and short stories for adults and children. She lives in Pleasant Grove, Utah.