Loved this episode? Join us on our Lost Women of New England Tour in Oct 2023! We’ll visit Mary Lemist Titcomb’s birthplace in New Hampshire, her newly-marked grave at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, and so much more!
Mary Lemist Titcomb was a pioneering librarian at the turn of the 20th century, when public libraries were first appearing in America. Believing strongly in the power of books, especially for children in far-flung places, she invented America’s first Bookmobile: a horse-drawn, specially constructed book-wagon to bring books to remote farms in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Her triumphs over prejudice and disaster resulted in nationwide bookmobile programs that continue to affect the lives of millions globally.
Our guest is Sharlee Mullins Glenn, award-winning author of Library on Wheels, the new children’s biography of Titcomb and her Book Contraption.
Visit the digital archive of the Washington County Free Library for more photos, information and resources. Or visit the Digital Public Library of America’s fascinating exhibit on the history of libraries.
*Correction–in this episode Glenn misspoke and said that Titcomb was only four feet tall. She was actually five feet tall.
All photos below courtesy of the Washington County Free Library unless otherwise indicated
photo courtesy of Utah State Library
photo by Daniel Foster Smith
photo by Daniel Foster Smith
photo by Daniel Foster Smith
photo by Daniel Foster Smith
Sharlee Mullins Glenn is an award-winning poet, essayist, and children’s book author. She was a Hinckley Scholar at Brigham Young University, holds an MA in Humanities, and taught college for a number of years before giving up academia for the writing life. Glenn presents at conferences and workshops across the country and her work has appeared in Women’s Studies, Irreantum, The Southern Literary Journal, Segullah, and BYU Studies. She has also published a novel and a number of picture books for children. She is the founder and president of Mormon Women for Ethical Government. Her book Library on Wheels: Mary Lemist Titcomb and America’s First Bookmobile, was released in April 2018.
Music featured in this episode included:
“Goodbye, Liza Jane” by Marc Nelson
“Granite Creek” by Andy Reiner and Jon Sousa
“Arirang” by Andy Reiner and Jon Sousa
“My New Friend” by Jeff Cuno
“Richmond” arranged by Andy Reiner
performed by Berklee World Strings directed by Eugene Friesen
featured soloists Bruce Molsky and Darol Anger
Episode 3 Mary Lemist Titcomb
Episode 3 Mary Lemist Titcomb
Episode 3 Mary Lemist Titcomb
I worked summer school a few years ago at a low income school and there was a book mobile that came every week. I thought it was neat.
I listed to this episode the day it came out and LOVED it. Finally had a chance to visit your website today and these pictures are amazing!! The photo with the little girl getting the book out of the cupboard on the porch reminds me of all the neighborhood libraries around my neighborhood. So great!