Gatherings

Bicentennial

Reunions

Miscellaneous

2014

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Members of the Bicentennial Steering Committee thought the Lane Public Library bookmobile should be part of the 200-year celebration, because the bookmobile has been a part of the village culture, since, at least, the middle of the last century. Perhaps the public library service "on wheels" occurred before then; more research may "tell the tale." (Some other bookmobile tales are told in the "Memories" section below.)

Unfortunately, we do not possess any photographs of the bookmobile in Darrtown. However, some people who visited the library on wheels during the middle of the last century remember the bookmobile looking something like the one seen in the image at the right.

Given the Steering Committee's desire to include the Bookmobile in the Bicentennial, plans were set in place. Betty (Lindley) Daniels coordinated the details and, as shown by the following images, the Lane Public bookmobile rolled into E-Dot Park on Saturday morning, July 5, 2014.

Memories of the bookmobile

BELOW is a bookmobile schedule from 1957

BELOW is a bookmobile schedule from 2020

In March of 2020, Darrtown Facebook friends were invited to share their memories of the bookmobile. Responses included the following comments.

I couldn’t wait for the Bookmobile to come to Darrtown! It used to park next to the Hitching Post.

Roxanna Russell Otto

I remember it coming each month as well. I would walk there from Scott Rd. with my book bag and load up! I would then walk back to my Grandma and Grandpa Baumanns and show them my loot and have an orange push up on their front porch! Feels like yesterday.

Amanda Havlin

Yes! I lived on Oxford Street and I would sit at the kitchen window waiting to see it pull up next to the Hitching Post. I now work in a library and I occasionally tell my patrons about our book mobile!

Teresa Ward Beasley

I remember it coming to Collinsville! Oh the smell of the books! To this day, I love to read.

Mary Jane Dengler

I can STILL remember the smell of the bookmobile. It was a mixture of paper, ink, maybe dust and a little bit of love. The ladies were always so sweet and helpful. Some of my best childhood memories were having my nose in a book, sitting outside on Mulberry Street!!

Lois Tussey Alfred

It came to Somerville and parked on Main Street in front of the bank. I can’t remember the exact day but I was always excited about it.

Judy Cross McQuiston

Loved when it came to Collinsville in the summer. Wish they were still around the country to give  more people a chance to read more!

Kristi Coombs

The bookmobile was a welcomed treat twice a month on Tuesdays at 10am in Somerville. Rain or shine there was always a long line as we waited our turn to load up an arm load of the latest western,mystery thrillers,biographies or just to meet our friends. I have been a library card holder for the past 60 years. Thanks to that bookmobile for making those lazy days of summer more enjoyable!

Sandra J. Beckett

The book mobile came to Hanover school when l went there in seventh grade I cut my arm on window in door going to the book mobile

Chuck Dowd

Yes, I would take children and grandchildren to the Bookmobile in Darrtown. I believe it still comes to Darrtown. Good memories!

Carolyn Russell

I remember Rick Martin talkin about the bookmobile that came to darrtown he thought it was a great idea he enjoyed it

Charlotte Proctor

In 6th grade at Collinsville school, about 1970, we had a stern talking to by Murry Peters because a bunch of people had a contest to see who could get the thickest book.

Richard Wells

From the time I was about 10, my parents would allow me to ride my bicycle to Darrtown to the bookmobile. My dad rigged his Army knapsack on my bike & I’d head out from the corner of Darrtown & Nichol Road—quite a ride for a 10 year old with a bag full of books. That bookmobile was my lifeline in the summer. It’s a good memory.

Georgetta Nichol Stambaugh

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