1955 Chevrolet Series 3600 Model J255 Pickup

During the 1980s and 1990s, AACA library staff and leadership had dreams of one day owning and operating an antique bookmobile. It was obvious that there was no better way to spread the word about the old car hobby than having a unique, purpose-built vehicle to represent the library on the road. That dream became a reality in April 2011 when AACA Hornets Nest Region Members Tom Gibson and Dave Bowman donated a custom bodied 1955 Chevrolet 3600 bookmobile that served residents of Anderson County, S.C. from 1956-1991.

The first bookmobile was used in Washington County, MD in 1905. It was a horse-drawn wagon that was painted black and residents quickly mistook it for the 'dead wagon.' In spite of this rough start, bookmobiles quickly became a valuable tool that allowed libraries to reach underserved residents in shut-in and rural populations.

After the Anderson Public Library purchased the Chevrolet truck chassis, it was sent to the Rock Hill Body Company in Rock Hill, SC, for its custom book box and entered into service in 1956. Not long after this truck was finished, larger bookmobiles of the modern walk-through style became a more popular choice for bookmobile fleets. In spite of this fact, the Chevrolet 3600 continued to serve residents in rural areas for 35 years before its retirement in 1991.

From 1991 to 2011, the bookmobile stood motionless in a storage garage until making the trip north to Pennsylvania in April of 2011. Once in Pennsylvania, the truck went to the restoration shop of Rick Hoover in Middletown, PA, where it received a complete off-frame restoration. The AACA Library Bookmobile will be a regular fixture at AACA events and also non-AACA car events. In addition to car events, the bookmobile will visit schools, retirement homes, parades, community centers and just about any place it is invited.