How Can We Fail?" The Texas State Library's Traveling Libraries and Bookmobiles, 1916-1966

The Texas State Library's multicounty bookmobile program and its earlier "traveling libraries" program had similar missions: to reach rural Texans deprived of proper library service. In both programs librarians faced inadequate funding and the daunting task of sending books over the vast distances of the Lone Star State. Ultimately, Texas's traveling libraries and bookmobiles introduced the pleasure of reading to families in the state's isolated farms and ranches and garnered support for today's county libraries.