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Library on Wheels: Mary Lemist Titcomb and America's First Bookmobile
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!
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!
56 pages, Hardcover
First published April 10, 2018
12 people are currently reading
798 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 186 reviews
March 22, 2020
An absolutely gorgeous book about an extraordinary woman. Mary Lemist Titcomb was born in 1852 in Famington, New Hampshire. Her family was poor, but supported their daughter in a quest for an education. Academic and jobs opportunities for women were few, but Mary wanted more than just to be a wife and mother.
When Mary, a bookworm saw a new opportunity for employment, librarianship, open up she found her calling. She would go on to accomplish wonderful things, President if the ALA and the initiator of the bookmobile.
The book is full of wonderful black and white pictures. A book that booklovers will cherish.
When Mary, a bookworm saw a new opportunity for employment, librarianship, open up she found her calling. She would go on to accomplish wonderful things, President if the ALA and the initiator of the bookmobile.
The book is full of wonderful black and white pictures. A book that booklovers will cherish.
March 2, 2020
3.75 stars
I tried to get my hands on this book when I was in the middle of reading The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes and The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson, however was unable to get a copy at that time. I recently found a copy and spent an hour reading it.
This is a very short, easy to read book that is loaded with original pictures taken back in the mid to late 1800's and early 1900's. It tells the story of Mary Lemist Titcomb and how she came to be one of the first, of very few, female librarians. She opened one of the very first children's rooms in her library and then went on to set up what was known as Deposit Stations - very similar to our currently growing "little free libraries" that are sprouting up in peoples yards. Knowing that even this was not sufficient to get books to everyone, Titcomb then pushed the idea of a 'Library Wagon' to take books to those who could not get to a library. Getting approval from the library board her first book mobile set out in April 1905, drawn by 2 horses and carrying 200 books and boxed replacements for the Deposit Stations. As the years advanced so did the Book Mobiles. Titcomb started all this in Pennsylvania and soon other states like Illinois, Delaware, Indiana and Minnesota were following her lead.
What a great book to have read in February, just days prior to March - Woman's History Month.
I tried to get my hands on this book when I was in the middle of reading The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes and The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson, however was unable to get a copy at that time. I recently found a copy and spent an hour reading it.
This is a very short, easy to read book that is loaded with original pictures taken back in the mid to late 1800's and early 1900's. It tells the story of Mary Lemist Titcomb and how she came to be one of the first, of very few, female librarians. She opened one of the very first children's rooms in her library and then went on to set up what was known as Deposit Stations - very similar to our currently growing "little free libraries" that are sprouting up in peoples yards. Knowing that even this was not sufficient to get books to everyone, Titcomb then pushed the idea of a 'Library Wagon' to take books to those who could not get to a library. Getting approval from the library board her first book mobile set out in April 1905, drawn by 2 horses and carrying 200 books and boxed replacements for the Deposit Stations. As the years advanced so did the Book Mobiles. Titcomb started all this in Pennsylvania and soon other states like Illinois, Delaware, Indiana and Minnesota were following her lead.
What a great book to have read in February, just days prior to March - Woman's History Month.
July 24, 2018
Miss Titcomb is the kind of librarian I wish I had been. No matter what she put her mind to, she got it done. She had vision, and she knew how to make those visions reality. She was ahead of her time, creating in Washington County, Maryland, a library that truly served all the different types of people in the region, no matter where they lived. One of the ways she brought books to the people was with the use of a book wagon, which later became what we know today as the bookmobile.
What I liked most about this book was all the pictures of the bookmobile as it evolved through time. The first one held 200 books, and each subsequent bookmobile held more. It amazes me to think how these books transformed lives. “Children who had never owned a book in their lives suddenly could borrow dozens at a time!” (p.29). How empowering!
Sadly, the bookmobile today is becoming a thing of the past. People are mobile and easily able to go to where the books are, plus ebooks, audiobooks, and mail-order books also bring reading to their doors. Glenn’s book reminds us that there was a time when this service fulfilled a need in the community. I’m so glad she wrote it, and how nice of her to get Miss Titcomb a proper gravestone. I highly recommend this book for everyone, not just librarians.
.
What I liked most about this book was all the pictures of the bookmobile as it evolved through time. The first one held 200 books, and each subsequent bookmobile held more. It amazes me to think how these books transformed lives. “Children who had never owned a book in their lives suddenly could borrow dozens at a time!” (p.29). How empowering!
Sadly, the bookmobile today is becoming a thing of the past. People are mobile and easily able to go to where the books are, plus ebooks, audiobooks, and mail-order books also bring reading to their doors. Glenn’s book reminds us that there was a time when this service fulfilled a need in the community. I’m so glad she wrote it, and how nice of her to get Miss Titcomb a proper gravestone. I highly recommend this book for everyone, not just librarians.
.
November 27, 2017
Fascinating book about the life and work of one of America's most influential librarians, Mary Lemist Titcomb.
February 28, 2024
How interesting! This charming book conveys a great deal of information about the country's first bookmobile and the remarkable librarian who made it possible. Clear and informative—but never condescending—this book can be enjoyed by youth and adults alike. The many photographs included add to the enjoyment.
May 10, 2018
Did you know that America's first bookmobile was invented by a lady librarian who just would not quit? Charged with serving the 500-square-mile Washington County in Maryland, librarian Mary Lemist Titcomb would stop at nothing to ensure that as many residents of her county were served as possible. This meant setting up book deposit boxes throughout the county, holding story hours in rural areas, and purchasing a horse-drawn wagon to travel hundreds of miles in the county each year, bringing books to people.
Of course as a librarian, this book spoke to me and I am so glad to learn about this librarian that I didn't know anything about. Tons of archival photos accompany a succinct text, illuminating the struggle of traveling those rugged roads and the accomplishment in serving so many people in the county.
Hand this to every outreach librarian you know and to kids who love libraries, especially those served by the Bookmobile!
Of course as a librarian, this book spoke to me and I am so glad to learn about this librarian that I didn't know anything about. Tons of archival photos accompany a succinct text, illuminating the struggle of traveling those rugged roads and the accomplishment in serving so many people in the county.
Hand this to every outreach librarian you know and to kids who love libraries, especially those served by the Bookmobile!
May 29, 2018
Whatta gal! This fun scrapbook look at early times in Washington County, Maryland tells of Miss Titcomb's library innovations at a time when one brick and mortar library was to serve a whole county. She decided to take the books to the people and came up with the idea of America's first horse drawn bookmobile, so that the County's rural residents could have access to the library's collections. She also made sure the library had a room just for children (most libraries at that time didn't) and established deposit collections in schools and other "deposit stations" around the county. Aimed at Grades 3-7...this one is really for all of us.
June 6, 2019
I loved this book. I recommend reading the author’s note as well.
August 7, 2018
I'm slightly biased about this book. I work in a library and so a children's book about Bookmobile's immediately caught my attention. But this book hasn't made my list purely because of my profession, it deserves all the credit it's due because it manages to tell an incredible story about a woman who wanted to change her world and make her community stronger by offering access to information and books. Along with the writing, which is extensive, this book also fills it's pages with real photographs promising children a chance to see how libraries looked and functioned in a pre-information age. This book is sure to be a valuable resource for children who are curious about libraries, how they work, and where they've come from.
November 8, 2018
"Do all in your power to make the library useful. Do not make the mistake of thinking children are of no consequence. If there is any preference, let it be shown to them."
As a children's librarian, I have a special kind of love for this book. The story is inspiring and the photographs are super cool. Thank you, Sharlee Glenn, for researching and sharing this amazing woman's story with the world.
April 23, 2018
This book is a wonderful researched piece of history from Maryland with excellent photos. Mary Lemist Titcomb was quite a woman and a remarkable librarian. This book would make a great discussion with upper elementary kids and a nice gift for book lovers and librarians. Loved Mr. Thomas calling himself a book missionary. Maybe that is what all old school librarians are these days as technology takes on paper. What joy when the horse and then the horseless wagon came to your homes and barns in the early 1900’s. This is a young people’s non-fiction read to be savored.
September 7, 2024
4* - What an example of making a practical difference in the lives of many! Well done, Miss Mary. Chock-a-block with wonderful period photos.
October 15, 2018
Ms. Titcomb let her passion and love of reading lead her to wonderful heights. She became a librarian whose determination led to the creation of the first bookmobile. She made sure that books could get to the hands of all those in the county that she served. This book is a lovely tribute to her with very cool old photos to boot.
June 7, 2018
I have read Biblioburro by Jeannette Winter, Miss Dorothy and Her Bookmobile by Gloria Houston, My Librarian Is A Camel: How Books Are Brought to Children Around the World by Margriet Ruurs, and now, this marvelous one about the woman who created the first bookmobile in the U.S by Sharlee Glenn.
Mary Lemist Titcomb was born in 1852, fortunate enough to have parents who allowed her to continue her education, and the story tells that as her brothers began leaving for careers like medicine, Mary wanted to do something, too. Few careers were open to women at that time other than nursing or teaching. Fortunately, the field of librarianship was just emerging and Mary was excited about the idea of working with books and sharing them with others. There was no formal way to become educated in this new career, so Mary moved to Concord, Massachusetts and began working there as an unpaid intern. She never stopped fulfilling her passion for the library. The book is detailed, including numerous photos and documents about Mary's career. She moved from place to place, never failing to succeed in improving what libraries meant, to her and to her patrons!
Mary ended her career as the head of a brand new library in Washington County, Maryland, a mostly rural county. Some did not like that a "newcomer" was hired. Some thought it silly to even open a library. Rural people didn't have time to read! When it opened, crowds arrived and never stopped. Mary seemed to have found a real home.
Mary opened one of the first children's rooms in the nation. She was frustrated, however, knowing that her library and the books were not reaching the county's many rural people. She made sure that outlying school had a good supply of books. She started a storytelling hour in different areas. And, similar to today's "little free libraries" except they were lending ones, Mary started "book deposit stations", small libraries where people could check out books.
They still weren't serving ALL the people in remote areas. Mary thought of a library on wheels, a horse-drawn "book-wagon". And it worked and those days when it arrived at a destination, people came in "from the fields, the barns, and the house." This was 1905, and sadly, this particular first wagon was hit by a train. The driver and the horses were okay; the wagon and books were not. Onward they went, and the next was a "horseless carriage".
Clichéd it is, but the rest is history! Others heard of Mary's idea and success and began copying it with their own bookmobiles. The story is wonderfully written by Sharlee Glenn with a note from her, extra personal information, notes, a bibliography, acknowledgments, image credits and an index.
I grew up in a small town until middle school. There was no close library. We had books, but not many, and the bookmobile saved my reading life, along with the woman librarian who drove it. Each time it came, she had special books to show me, books she thought I would enjoy. She took time to talk to me about what I read, what I liked. I remember the clank, clank up those metal stairs to that "world of books". And I am grateful still for my bookmobile, thus grateful for Mary Lemist Titcomb who began this extraordinary (at the time) outreach with books to people who were far from her (their) library.
Mary Lemist Titcomb was born in 1852, fortunate enough to have parents who allowed her to continue her education, and the story tells that as her brothers began leaving for careers like medicine, Mary wanted to do something, too. Few careers were open to women at that time other than nursing or teaching. Fortunately, the field of librarianship was just emerging and Mary was excited about the idea of working with books and sharing them with others. There was no formal way to become educated in this new career, so Mary moved to Concord, Massachusetts and began working there as an unpaid intern. She never stopped fulfilling her passion for the library. The book is detailed, including numerous photos and documents about Mary's career. She moved from place to place, never failing to succeed in improving what libraries meant, to her and to her patrons!
Mary ended her career as the head of a brand new library in Washington County, Maryland, a mostly rural county. Some did not like that a "newcomer" was hired. Some thought it silly to even open a library. Rural people didn't have time to read! When it opened, crowds arrived and never stopped. Mary seemed to have found a real home.
Mary opened one of the first children's rooms in the nation. She was frustrated, however, knowing that her library and the books were not reaching the county's many rural people. She made sure that outlying school had a good supply of books. She started a storytelling hour in different areas. And, similar to today's "little free libraries" except they were lending ones, Mary started "book deposit stations", small libraries where people could check out books.
They still weren't serving ALL the people in remote areas. Mary thought of a library on wheels, a horse-drawn "book-wagon". And it worked and those days when it arrived at a destination, people came in "from the fields, the barns, and the house." This was 1905, and sadly, this particular first wagon was hit by a train. The driver and the horses were okay; the wagon and books were not. Onward they went, and the next was a "horseless carriage".
Clichéd it is, but the rest is history! Others heard of Mary's idea and success and began copying it with their own bookmobiles. The story is wonderfully written by Sharlee Glenn with a note from her, extra personal information, notes, a bibliography, acknowledgments, image credits and an index.
I grew up in a small town until middle school. There was no close library. We had books, but not many, and the bookmobile saved my reading life, along with the woman librarian who drove it. Each time it came, she had special books to show me, books she thought I would enjoy. She took time to talk to me about what I read, what I liked. I remember the clank, clank up those metal stairs to that "world of books". And I am grateful still for my bookmobile, thus grateful for Mary Lemist Titcomb who began this extraordinary (at the time) outreach with books to people who were far from her (their) library.
June 19, 2018
Library on Wheels: Mary Lemist Titcomb and America's First Bookmobile. 2018. Sharlee Glenn. Abrams. 56 pages. [Source: Review copy]
First sentence: Mary Lemist Titcomb grew up wanting to do things. The problem was, people were always telling her that she couldn't. She couldn't do this, because she was too young. She couldn't do that, because she was a girl, or because her family didn't have enough money, or because it just wasn't practical. But Mary never gave up.
Premise/plot: Library On Wheels is about a pioneer librarian, Mary Lemist Titcomb. Librarianship was a new field when she came of age, and it wasn't an accepted field for women. (Not like teaching or nursing.) But Titcomb was diligent, determined, and ambitious. It wasn't only that librarianship was a brand new field but that public libraries were brand new as well. Titcomb's vision of what could be--what should be--would have a lasting impact.
The library she would have the biggest impact on perhaps was Washington County Free Library. (This wasn't her very first library to work.) The Washington County Free Library was the second county-wide library in the U.S. (I believe this is in 1901).
But her biggest accomplishment was her vision of having book wagons deliver books to the people.
I loved, loved, loved that Mr. Thomas listed his profession as BOOK MISSIONARY in the 1910 census.
The book wagon evolved through the years--especially after a tragic accident with a train. This book tells a remarkable story of that evolution and the extraordinary librarian behind it.
My thoughts: I loved this one. I did. I absolutely loved it. I think it is for all ages. Yes, it's a nonfiction book for middle grade, but, it's so much more than that. I think it is for anyone and everyone who has ever loved a book or loved a library. I found it fascinating. There are so many pictures!!! They just weren't that many awesome nonfiction books when I was a kid.
First sentence: Mary Lemist Titcomb grew up wanting to do things. The problem was, people were always telling her that she couldn't. She couldn't do this, because she was too young. She couldn't do that, because she was a girl, or because her family didn't have enough money, or because it just wasn't practical. But Mary never gave up.
Premise/plot: Library On Wheels is about a pioneer librarian, Mary Lemist Titcomb. Librarianship was a new field when she came of age, and it wasn't an accepted field for women. (Not like teaching or nursing.) But Titcomb was diligent, determined, and ambitious. It wasn't only that librarianship was a brand new field but that public libraries were brand new as well. Titcomb's vision of what could be--what should be--would have a lasting impact.
The library she would have the biggest impact on perhaps was Washington County Free Library. (This wasn't her very first library to work.) The Washington County Free Library was the second county-wide library in the U.S. (I believe this is in 1901).
It had been established for all the residents of Washington County, but over half of them--some 25,000 people--lived far from town, on farms scattered across nearly 500 square miles. How to get the library's books to them?
Miss Titcomb was determined that everyone should have access to the library--not just adults, not just the rich or educated, not just those who lived in town. She was absolutely unwavering in her dedication this vision. First, she opened a children's room in the library--one of the first in the nation. She also made sure that all the outlying village schools had a good rotating supply of books and pictures from the library. Then she started a storytelling hour in remote areas to get the country children excited about books and reading.
Next, she set up book deposit stations throughout the county. These served as small branch libraries where people could check out books, then return the ones they had already read...
But her biggest accomplishment was her vision of having book wagons deliver books to the people.
"The book goes to the man. We do not wait for the man to come to the book."
The book wagon made its maiden voyage in April 1905. Although Miss Titcomb rode along whenever she could, she still had her duties to fulfill back at the main library, so Mr. Joshua Thomas, the library janitor, was enlisted to be the driver. The wagon was pulled by a pair of dapper horses named Black Beauty and Dandy.
I loved, loved, loved that Mr. Thomas listed his profession as BOOK MISSIONARY in the 1910 census.
The book wagon evolved through the years--especially after a tragic accident with a train. This book tells a remarkable story of that evolution and the extraordinary librarian behind it.
My thoughts: I loved this one. I did. I absolutely loved it. I think it is for all ages. Yes, it's a nonfiction book for middle grade, but, it's so much more than that. I think it is for anyone and everyone who has ever loved a book or loved a library. I found it fascinating. There are so many pictures!!! They just weren't that many awesome nonfiction books when I was a kid.
August 14, 2024
This book is EXCELLENT for older readers. It's more academic than a story but it's a biography that needs to be told. I need a full length biography and her personal papers and photos donated to an archive for the public to see. Mary Lemist Titcomb's contribution to library service deserves to be recognized.
She never took no for an answer. Surprisingly, she was not from an elite family but a regular humble farm family who believed in the importance of education. Mary Lemist Titcomb served as a librarian and asked to be a part of the ALA part of the 1893 World's Fair but Melville Dewey (the one who invented the DDS) told her she didn't have enough national recognition. Later in life she did serve as the vice president of the ALA.
When Mary Lemist Titcomb had the idea for a book cart to serve the farmers of rural Washington County, Maryland, the board thought she was nuts! Farmers don't read! Well they do if they have access to books and Mary wouldn't accept no for an answer. A horse drawn cart with a personable driver and a friendly librarian made 31 trips in 6 months loaning out over 1,000 books! How's that for crazy!
An accident in 1910 turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The automobile was rapidly taking over the streets and Mary's next bookmobile was "horseless carriage" that cost $2,500 (1910 dollars I assume). A even crazier board member believed in the plan and donated the money! This bookmobile held 300 books at a time and covered new routes, each route three times a year. The next one held 500 books plus a passenger seat for a younger, friendly library assistant. By this time the mobile library was so famous, everyone wanted to join the ride.
This book is part scrapbook with photos of Mary Lemist Titcomb, her bookmobiles and other photos of the Washington County bookmobile from the early 1900s to today. Today they have a huge BUS!
Sadly, Mary Lemist Titcomb died unknown and was buried in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Concord, Mass. in an unmarked grave. The author of this book was thrilled by the discovery that the subject of her new book was buried so close to the woman whose book inspired her to write books in the first place, my hero also, Louisa May Alcott.
Backmatter is extensive and includes author's note, (end)notes, select bibliography including online collections/websites and publications by Mary Lemist Titcomb.
She never took no for an answer. Surprisingly, she was not from an elite family but a regular humble farm family who believed in the importance of education. Mary Lemist Titcomb served as a librarian and asked to be a part of the ALA part of the 1893 World's Fair but Melville Dewey (the one who invented the DDS) told her she didn't have enough national recognition. Later in life she did serve as the vice president of the ALA.
When Mary Lemist Titcomb had the idea for a book cart to serve the farmers of rural Washington County, Maryland, the board thought she was nuts! Farmers don't read! Well they do if they have access to books and Mary wouldn't accept no for an answer. A horse drawn cart with a personable driver and a friendly librarian made 31 trips in 6 months loaning out over 1,000 books! How's that for crazy!
An accident in 1910 turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The automobile was rapidly taking over the streets and Mary's next bookmobile was "horseless carriage" that cost $2,500 (1910 dollars I assume). A even crazier board member believed in the plan and donated the money! This bookmobile held 300 books at a time and covered new routes, each route three times a year. The next one held 500 books plus a passenger seat for a younger, friendly library assistant. By this time the mobile library was so famous, everyone wanted to join the ride.
This book is part scrapbook with photos of Mary Lemist Titcomb, her bookmobiles and other photos of the Washington County bookmobile from the early 1900s to today. Today they have a huge BUS!
Sadly, Mary Lemist Titcomb died unknown and was buried in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Concord, Mass. in an unmarked grave. The author of this book was thrilled by the discovery that the subject of her new book was buried so close to the woman whose book inspired her to write books in the first place, my hero also, Louisa May Alcott.
Backmatter is extensive and includes author's note, (end)notes, select bibliography including online collections/websites and publications by Mary Lemist Titcomb.
July 29, 2018
This book had me at the dedication: "For Mary and all the other unsung heroines of history."
Sigh. If only all biographies for kids were like this.
It's brief. It reads more like a picture book biography, except instead of illustrations the visuals are photos and ephemera: maps, a school catalog, a newspaper article, etc.
Part of the reason that it is brief is because there isn't much information about this fascinating woman, as the author details in the back matter, the part of the book that takes it from 4 stars to 5. She outlines her research process, speaking with Miss Titcomb's grand nieces and nephews (Mary Titcomb had no children.) In the end, when the author realized Miss Titcomb was buried in an unmarked grave near famed author Louisa May Alcott, she (the author, Sharlee Glenn) became more than biographer and actually spearheaded the effort to fundraise for a headstone. This work is clearly personal to this author, as bookmobiles are so personal to those that they serve, and I'm so glad this book exists to chronicle that history.
Sigh. If only all biographies for kids were like this.
It's brief. It reads more like a picture book biography, except instead of illustrations the visuals are photos and ephemera: maps, a school catalog, a newspaper article, etc.
Part of the reason that it is brief is because there isn't much information about this fascinating woman, as the author details in the back matter, the part of the book that takes it from 4 stars to 5. She outlines her research process, speaking with Miss Titcomb's grand nieces and nephews (Mary Titcomb had no children.) In the end, when the author realized Miss Titcomb was buried in an unmarked grave near famed author Louisa May Alcott, she (the author, Sharlee Glenn) became more than biographer and actually spearheaded the effort to fundraise for a headstone. This work is clearly personal to this author, as bookmobiles are so personal to those that they serve, and I'm so glad this book exists to chronicle that history.
July 18, 2018
Written by a lady from Utah, who discovered that the first bookmobile was thought of and organized by a woman librarian. Short, informative, with many photos, including some of the old book wagon and farm children gathered round to trade their books.
I've always been fond of bookmobiles, since I remember going to the one that parked by the fire station in our town in Arkansas, when I was small. Of course someone had to dream it up first, before getting books out to rural communities. I'd just never paused to think about the lady who thought it up and deserves the tribute of this book.
I've always been fond of bookmobiles, since I remember going to the one that parked by the fire station in our town in Arkansas, when I was small. Of course someone had to dream it up first, before getting books out to rural communities. I'd just never paused to think about the lady who thought it up and deserves the tribute of this book.
September 30, 2022
A wonderful picture book that tells the story of librarian Mary Lemist Titcomb who helped form the Washington County Library in Maryland and developed America's first bookmobile. A little known story that deserves to be told.
January 26, 2026
I never heard of Mary Lemist Titcomb till I came across this book at my local library. I was browsing children's non-fiction for my kids when I came across this. It goes to show you can learn something new, even in the children's non-fiction section.
May 26, 2018
I loved the format of this nonfiction book about the first American Bookmobile with the ephemera and photographs.
June 5, 2018
A beautiful book about a pioneering rural librarian whose belief, "The book goes to the people. We do not wait for the people to come to the book," led to the country's first bookmobiles. Miss Titcomb's persevering desire to get books in the hands of all children is inspiring!
February 27, 2020
I want to leave a legacy like Mary Titcomb did. Wow, what a librarian.
November 27, 2022
Inspiring juvenile book about the Woman who first invented the Library Bookmobile. It makes me want to go listen to Parnassus on Wheels again!
June 29, 2018
This book is about the life of Mary Lemist Titcomb and the development of the "Library Wagon," the precursor to today's Bookmobiles.
Excellent!
Excellent!
April 6, 2019
What an inspiring woman, well ahead of her time, determined, and able to think outside the box with a passion to get books in the hands of all people!!
August 23, 2018
The story! The photos! THE BOOKS!!!!!!!!!!
July 31, 2018
Wonderful J Biography about the founder of the Bookmobile in the U.S.
January 8, 2019
A picture book biography of librarian Mary Lemist Titcomb who was an influential librarian of the early 1900s and pioneered the idea of a scheduled book wagon route (eventually bookmobile) for the rural areas served by the Washington County Library of Hagerston, Maryland.
A well done biography of a largely forgotten woman. Ms Glenn had to do quite a bit of research to find solid information on this woman and her library work. She's included many primary resources and photographs which help the history and woman come to life nicely. This is a good reminder that even if you don't have the flashiest of jobs, you can still make a powerful impact in your community by doing your job well and faithfully. This is a great biography of an "ordinary" woman to have on hand for middle grade readers, and of course, library and book lovers.
A well done biography of a largely forgotten woman. Ms Glenn had to do quite a bit of research to find solid information on this woman and her library work. She's included many primary resources and photographs which help the history and woman come to life nicely. This is a good reminder that even if you don't have the flashiest of jobs, you can still make a powerful impact in your community by doing your job well and faithfully. This is a great biography of an "ordinary" woman to have on hand for middle grade readers, and of course, library and book lovers.
November 5, 2018
I am not sure where I found this but apparently I ordered it and it showed up on my desk. It is a juvenile biography of Mary Lemist Titcomb the pioneer of the bookmobile. Super awesome.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 186 reviews