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

Gr 3–7—A trip through history that will warm the hearts of librarians. Mary Lemist Titcomb was an innovator who pushed gender and career boundaries in the early 20th century. Glenn uses examples from Titcomb's life to subtly emphasize the marginalized status of most white women during this time period. (Titcomb had to work twice as hard as white male peers and was often unpaid.) Not even deterred by a dismissal from Melvil Dewey, Titcomb tirelessly pursued her vision of libraries that served the poor and the middle class—not just the rich. The "book wagon," also known as the bookmobile, was one answer to this mission; Titcomb was able to travel to and serve remote areas with book collections. Glenn incorporates many quotes from Titcomb's contemporaries into the narrative, providing a well-rounded view of Titcomb and the reception of her work. In addition, the author has collected a wonderful array of photographs, archival letters and postcards, and other contemporaneous memorabilia to support the narrative, and all are excellently reproduced. The book's design resembles that of a well-organized scrapbook, one with plenty of space and room for readers to browse.