The 1930s bookmobile

The bookmobile 1931 -1940.

The 1931 Dodge was "manned" by two ladies at all times: one to drive and one to stand on the running board to keep it from tipping over. Proper attire included "a long-sleeved dress, a broad brimmed hat and gloves" to prevent tanning.

In 1935 they visited 393 homes, dispensing 3,694 books. In 1936 they traveled 1,444 miles, distributing 3,852 books. They only traveled 1,327 miles in 1937, but 4,671 books were borrowed by the patrons. The Librarian's Report of 1937 stated "present model is not only antiquated and clumsy, but unsafe in traffic in city and on highway because of ceaseless noise of motor and rattle of body.” The advent of gas rationing made continuation of the book wagon impossible. The bookmobile made its last trip in the summer of 1940.