How Sioux Falls started its first-ever 'Parnassus on wheels': Looking back
When it was introduced in 1951, reporter David H. Smith called the Sioux Falls Public Library’s Bookmobile “Parnassus on Wheels,” likening it to the subject of Christopher Morley’s 1917 book of the same name. Mount Parnassus, in Greek mythology, was home to the muses; the inspirational goddesses of literature, science and the arts. To children of the time, it was like a piece of the downtown library had come to visit their own neighborhoods.
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In November of 1950, bids for a bookmobile were requested. Head librarian Lora E. Crouch saw a bookmobile as a way to reach more of the outlying parts of Sioux Falls’ expanding area. At the time, Sioux Falls’ only library, the Carnegie Library, at the southeast corner of 10th Street and Dakota Avenue, was being outgrown. There were so many books that new books were difficult to find room for. A bookmobile could store and distribute 2,500 books from the collection.
The lowest, and only, bid for Sioux Falls’ bookmobile was submitted by the Gerstenslager Company of Wooster, Ohio. Gerstenslager built a number of similar vehicles for other communities, and before long, became known for building remote television vans and Oscar Mayer’s Wienermobile. The cost of the bookmobile was $7,301.46, and its cost was afforded entirely with late fees collected over the previous 11 years.
Pauline Streimer, a recent graduate of the University of Minnesota Library School, was chosen to take the wheel. Prior to college, she had worked for two years in the Martin County library in Fairmont, Minnesota. Streimer was no stranger to the library arts, and soon she would be in charge of multiple bookmobiles for the Sioux Falls Public Library.
The bookmobile was used year-round and was equipped with its own generator and heater. Electric lights made books easy to find, even on overcast days, or on winter days, when the sun would fade from the sky before closing time. The shelves in the bookmobile were angled to help books stay in place while the ‘mobile was en route.
Sioux Falls’ first Bookmobile was in operation five days a week, making two stops a day between 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. On Monday, the rolling library could be found at Russell Street and Dakota Avenue, and at the airbase school grounds. Tuesday brought it to Axtell Park, then 15th Street and Western Avenue. Wednesday, it could be found at 8th Street and Lowell Avenue and Franklin School. On Thursday, Streimer would drive out to 26th Street and Cliff Avenue and Beadle School. Friday, children could find the bookmobile at the Sunshine at 26th and Minnesota, and at the Jefferson School grounds.
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On June 13, 1954, the Children’s Library opened at 416 S. Phillips. This helped to alleviate the stress on the resources at the Carnegie. The Carnegie children’s department, which had been located in the basement, was replaced by a department for teens and young adults.
On September 1, 1957, the city’s second bookmobile was put into service. This one was of the same design as the first, and also built by the Gerstenslager Company. The second was paid for with tax dollars and was made necessary by the city’s expansion. By 1959, the twin bookmobiles would circulate 11,207 books in the month of January alone. By comparison, the Children’s Library hustled 10,764. The city’s third bookmobile was ordered in December 1959.
The bookmobile program was a resounding success and continued for decades. Pauline Streimer was in charge for the length of her career with the library. She shared her love of books with adults and children alike.
On November 3, 1970, the city’s first bookmobile, by then nicknamed “Old Chugger” was retired. Its replacement was built by Gerstenslager Company for $23,995. It was seven feet longer than the one that proceeded it, and carried 3,100 books. The second and third ‘mobiles were still in use at this time.
Children remember the regular appearances of the Parnassus on Wheels and looked forward to the next. Over the years, muses, in the form of books, inspired thousands of children in their lives, hobbies, and careers. The Bookmobile is currently undergoing repairs, but when in operation, is available by request for events, daycares, schools, neighborhoods, and nearby towns.
This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: How Sioux Falls started its first-ever 'Parnassus on wheels': Looking back
