Books on Wheels, Donkey or Camel
In 1905, Mary Titcomb of Washington County, Maryland had an idea. Find a way to get books to the rural dwellers who otherwise would not have had access to them.
Hence, the first Bookmobile in the United States was born.
Many of us have fond memories of the bookmobile rolling down our neighborhood streets as we grabbed our library cards and took off running to get in line. Within the pages of books we are able to explore, learn and free our minds for a few moments in time.
Bookmobiles come in all shapes and means of transportation and it’s interesting to see the way they have evolved through the years.
This is a “Perambulating Library” from 1857 in Cumbria, U.K.
In 1941, this gentleman took to the road in his car:
The residents of New York City stood in lines anticipating their turn to check-out a good read:
Bookmobiles have evolved through the years and no matter the manner, people are determined to keep them alive.
Japan has a more modern looking bookmobile:
Seattle’s is hip and cool:
Not even the lack of wheels will stop this librarian in Africa from getting books to people:
In Indonesia, they scale the size down for ease of transportation due to the traffic:
No matter the location in Columbia, Biblioburro will get the books to you:
San Francisco’s bookmobile reflects the hip culture of the city:
It does not seem to matter, people will find a way to get books to people. I like this version and think it’s a great idea.
Look out New Orleans, Lynne’s Traveling Library is coming to town:
Viva La Bookmobiles!
I remember reading about ‘The Lost Boys’ of Sudan and how they grabbed their books when they fled. Nothing was more important to them. Books free your mind, and give you hope. CS Lewis said “We read to know we’re not alone.” I think that’s so true.
Love these old photos. Great post, Lynne.
I too read about The Lost Boys and never knew that about the books.. That makes me smile..The importance of books is something I hope lasts until the end of time. Love the CS Lewis quote
(PS-How did the Open House go?)
I don’t really know? They looked around for an hour so I took that as a good sign and they asks about my utilities…? I guess I just have to sit and wait! Ugh!
BTW, anytime you find yourself in my neck of the woods or if you even want to plan a trip to Chi-town, you know you always have a place to stay. I’d love to have you and I’d give you a tour you’d never forget.
Lynne, loved these pics and go for it, “Lynne’s book mobile sounds great.” I’d like to do that with an old VW van! Books are the best — real ones! They take you away and open your mind. Free you.
Have you read Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn? SO GOOD. I read it in a day. Loved this post!
Oh I’d have to have a moped or something..I’d get exhausted riding around town..LOL.. Thanks for the book tip, will check it out when i make my weekly Library trip!!!
I was just wondering yesterday if the bookmobiles are still a part of the USA culture! How well I remember going to town with my mother during the summertime for ‘book mobile day! Oh, to step inside that musty book-crammed bus was a delight, and mother returned home with her selection of novels while i savored each eclectic book that i selected. when my sons were growing up, the bookmobile service was cancelled because of funding.
Now here in remote ecuador, i am thrilled when i see any book written in english!
thanks for a great post!
lisa/z
My town is doing away with them and that makes me so sad. I used to love when it came to my neighborhood when I was a child..funny you mention your Mom because i too recall mine reading her books and hers were so thick compared to mine and I always said when i grow up I will read big books too
what a great story about your mother; i am sorry that your town is losing the book mobile.
i especially loved the photo taken in columbia and would love to know more about the photo and that dear man!
z
Here you go.. Biblioburro even had a TV show done on him
http://www.pbs.org/pov/biblioburro/
i love you i love you i love you!
and i am staying in a hostal tonight, so the connection speed will be strong enough to watch this! thank you so much in advance!
z
Even in these days of e-readers there is still something so special about picking up a favourite book and feeling the pages between your fingers.
I could not agree more.. I tried the Kindle and had to pass on it.. I’ll always be a book-aholic
These photos do my heart good. Although it also makes me sad that some places have such little access to books that people have to bring books to them via burro and camel.
I saw where my town is stopping Bookmobiles and I felt so sad..When i found those pictures of the Donkey & camel people I was amazed.. how cool is that
This is one of those posts that restore your faith in humanity. Look at what lengths people will go to bring some joy and education to people. Just lovely.
When I saw the pictures of the Camel library I thought, “Wow, books really are so important. What an amazing man he is to do that”.
yes, I feel the same was as you
The Bookmobile was a lifesaver to me when I was so sick after my son was born. It stopped in front of our house and the librarian brought right to my door a stack of books she knew I’d like.
(I found one of those “book lending boxes” you mentioned in an earlier post when we were in Florida. It was painted up all fun and funky.)
I love the bookmobile..love them.. Oh you lucky duck, you saw the “Little Free Library”..They are popping up like wildfires I hear
Ah, the good old mobile library. Sadly, disappearing in the UK now – along with static ones, too.
The are dwindling in numbers here as well.. makes me sad ..
My dad remembers bookmobiles from when he was growing up in Des Moines. What a wonderful thing.
They are/were wonderful.. Hate to see some good things go away with the changing times !
Nice!
A nice piece of Americana!!
Glorious! I like the word “perambulate,” too. Must use it more.
That is a cool word if I must say so myself
very interesting, well done!
Thank you
Reblogged this on Beautiful Railway Bridge of the Silvery Tay.
I still have not witnessed a bookmobile of my own — I did not know their were several types!
Yes indeed..although the ones I’ve seen in person are not this cool looking
n the summer I always go the book mobile on my holiday and I love it for many reasons. It brings back happy memories from my childhood. The bus is always parked by the sea and the smell from the ocean, kids who are laughing on the beach and the seagulls makes me smile. The atmosphere in the bus is always fantastic, and they also have with them a wide range of interesting books,
.
I have such great memories as a child of standing in the line and then my turn to go inside the bus and pick and choose books.. Yes, the smells and lighting added an air of mystery. Such good times for sure!
Let us reclaim those good childhood feelings into our lives again,
. By the way, for a long time I nourished a dream to own a bookstore. Everybody told me not do it, and I listened, 
. I can still see my blueprint in front of me, and it’s still a novel idea that I haven’t seen anywhere yet… 
. I bet your bookstore in New Orleans is going to be marvelous!
I agree.. I have recently been doing a lot of reflection on the years gone past and realize how fortunate I have been..I would love to hear about your plans.Why would you not still pursue that adventure?
Lynne, I’ve spent the entire summer doing a lot of reflection on the years gone past as well,
. And most years have been good, even though some of them have been extremely tough. Your question has been going around, and around in my mind for hours. It’s a good question. Do I want to talk to about it? I would love to, but not in public and I also need to think about it for awhile. Why did I believe more in other people than myself and why did I give up such a big dream? I’ve invested a lot of time, and money in my current profession. I’ve lots of studying behind me, many titles like mental trainer, motivational speaker, business- and lifecoach, grief counselor etc + a few different specialities. Do I want to give that up, do I want to give up working abroad, my travelling or can I combine it all with a bookstore? Interesting thought and I’m very grateful that you’ve planted a seed in my mind. Thank you! Wishing you a fabulous week! 
Fantastic!
And I love your bookmobile most of all! (Well, it’s the only one made by someone I know.)
Ha.. that’s not actually my Bookmobile but it’s what I would create.. really, all I could afford