The First Bookwagon 1905-1910

The book wagon stops at a country home, west of Hancock. A large stone house stands behind the white picket fence.

Joshua Thomas and the book wagon. Joshua Thomas, a Civil War veteran and member of the GAR, had earlier served as the janitor in the library. He was listed on the 1910 census as a "Book Missionary" for the public library.

Three ladies, Mr. Thomas, the driver, and the original bookwagon, 1905-1910. They are standing in the road, beside a high white picket fence. Joshua Thomas, a Civil War veteran and member of the GAR, had earlier served as the janitor in the library. He was listed on the 1910 census as a "Book Missionary" for the public library.

MISS TITCOMB, LIBRARY HEAD, DIES AT HOME
Librarian And Originator Of Book Wagon Expires After Long Illness

Miss Mary Lemist Titcomb, librarian of the Washington County Free Library and originator of the first traveling library in the country, died at her home, 326 Summit Avenue, last night about 7:30 o’clock following a long illness. Miss Titcomb had been confined to her home since early in January.

Mary Titcomb was the first librarian at Washington County Free Library and the person who originated the idea of a county-wide delivery of books.

Mary Lemist Titcomb, 1857-1932, was born in New Hampshire, worked in the Concord, Massachusetts, Public Library, later became librarian of the public library in Rutland, Vermont and secretary of the first Vermont Library Commission.