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1953–
The library on wheels: In 1953, the library's history records, "the Library's first Bookmobile served residents who were not served by a branch." The library's photograph collection preserves the vehicle's delivery — and its maker: the bookmobile was produced by the Studebaker Corporation and finished by Dallas & Mavis, a South Bend wagon on South Bend streets, built by the city's own carmaker in the last decade of its life. The bookmobile was the county service in rolling form, carrying the collection to the townships and neighborhoods the branch map had not yet reached. The sources reached for this history do not date the end of bookmobile service, and the present system lists no bookmobile among its services; the vehicle's retirement stands as a named gap in the record.
Sources:
- St. Joseph County Public Library, "History of the St. Joseph County Public Library" — the first bookmobile, 1953.
- Indiana Memory, Library History collection — the bookmobile delivery photograph and caption: produced by the Studebaker Corporation, finished by Dallas & Mavis.