In the early part of the twentieth century, before there were any buildings in DeKalb County being used as libraries, there were homes throughout the county where books were held for exchange. According to the DeKalb County Public Library, the first library in the county was established in 1907 in Lithonia when Lula Almand collected 50 books on a shelf in her home. The Decatur Public Library began in 1925 on the second floor of the Decatur Bank and Trust building. In 1950, a new library was built on Sycamore Street in downtown Decatur. Lula Almand and the local Woman’s Club would open the Lithonia Public Library in 1938.

According to history at dekalblibrary.org, the bookmobile first came about around 1940 as part of Roosevelt’s Work Progress Administration (WPA). Maud Burrus put books in the back of her car and visited readers in small towns and farms throughout the county. Louise Trotti followed in Maud Burrus footsteps and became the first supervisor of bookmobile services. The Black community did not have the opportunity to check out books from the bookmobile until 1952 when a new vehicle was purchased and the older vehicle began visiting their homes.

In The Story of Dunwoody, by Elizabeth Davis and Ethel Spruill, Davis recalls the great service the bookmobile provided to the community of Dunwoody. Davis was principal of the Dunwoody School from 1937 until 1962. Davis’ memories were of Louise Trotti as the Bookmobile librarian, which included driving the bookmobile around the county. A PTA member from each school in the county would offer their home during the summer so that books could be delivered there. Then the children could come to that home on a set day to exchange books.

The DeKalb Regional Library System also provided services from 1951 until 1989 to Rockdale County and from 1953 to 1989 to Newton County, until the counties set up their own library systems.  During the years of the bookmobile, the traveling library would visit these counties.

Other libraries throughout DeKalb County were established during the next few decades. The Doraville Library was built in 1970. Brookhaven history on file at the DeKalb History Center says their library was established in 1951. Building a new Brookhaven library has been under discussion recently.

Dunwoody’s first public library was established in 1980, when a space was finished on the bottom floor of office space at 5064 Nandina Lane. This is the same building where the Dunwoody Crier offices were formerly located. Nine years later, the books were moved down Chamblee Dunwoody Road to the former Dunwoody Elementary School building by members of the community. The books were passed down hand to hand until they reached their destination.

With all the technology we have today, it is hard to imagine getting excited about the bookmobile. However, if you imagine it is 1940, your family may have a radio, but no television, no computer, and no library-the anticipation of a book to immerse yourself in is something to get excited about. My mom used to tell me how much the bookmobile meant to her and how she looked forward to its visit. If you remember the bookmobile or have someone in your life who does, please share those stories with me at pasttensega@gmail.com.