Category Archives: Information Resources

As we celebrate National Library Week and National Bookmobile Day on April 13th, it’s the perfect time to explore the history of Nebraska’s first bookmobile. The Nebraska Public Library Commission purchased their first bookmobile on July 28, 1936. I assumed that this bookmobile was purchased to deliver books to patrons around the state, however after doing a bit of research I realized I was wrong.

The Commission documented the purchase of the bookmobile in their 1935-1936 biennial report to the governor: “One of the most important aids in the program of the Library Commission has been the new Bookmobile purchased during the summer of 1936 and first displayed at the State Fair. The Library Commission is indebted to Mrs. R. L. Cochran for her interest in this project and to a group of Omaha business men for their gift of money which made the purchase of the book truck possible. The Bookmobile, which is a specially constructed half ton truck, is used for demonstration purposes and carries a carefully selected collection of three hundred books. It has done much to create interest in library extension.” *

It was reported in the September 4, 1936 issue of the State Journal that “The Nebraska bookmobile will be used for the present of demonstration. Following the state fair it will be on exhibit at some county fairs and will also be taken to several state conventions. . . . The books carried will be duplicates of books which may be borrowed from the library commission, chosen to show the type of service given by the commission. . . . It is hoped plans can be made to use the bookmobile for delivery of books within a limited territory.”

The bookmobile made many stops across the state as is documented by the photographs in Nebraska Memories. In the next year’s biennial report (1936-1938) it was documented that “Eighty-six of the ninety-three counties in the state have been visited by the Bookmobile.” ** In another report by the Commission it states “This “library on wheels” has traveled 4,000 miles over the state. . . and has been a big factor in making people in Nebraska aware of the service which is available to them through the Library Commission. It has resulted in an increased number of requests for books.”

There were a few other interesting things I noticed and wanted to share:

• Looking at the back of the bookmobile, there appears to be a AAA logo above the license plate. What type of emergency road service was needed and offered in the late 1930’s?
• Five of the bookmobile photos were taken in front of public libraries. What’s interesting is that the Commission has modern pictures of three of these libraries.
  • Davenport Public Library – 1937 – 2001
  • Eustis Public Library – 1938 – 2001
  • Nehawka Public Library – 1937 – 2005

Visit Nebraska Memories to search for or browse through many more historical images digitized from photographs, negatives, postcards, maps, lantern slides, books and other materials.

Nebraska Memories is a cooperative project to digitize Nebraska-related historical and cultural heritage materials and make them available to researchers of all ages via the Internet. Nebraska Memories is brought to you by the Nebraska Library Commission. If your institution is interested in participating in Nebraska Memories, see http://nlc.nebraska.gov/nebraskamemories/ for more information, or contact Beth Goble, Government Information Services Director, or Devra Dragos, Technology & Access Services Director.

* State of Nebraska Report of the Nebraska Public Library Commission to the Governor, August 26, 1935 to November 30. 1936 – Page 11 (The full text of this document is available as part of Commission’s State Publications Clearinghouse Service.)

** Biennial Report of the Nebraska Public Library Commission, December 1, 1936, 10 November 30, 1938 – Page 11 (The full text of this report is also available online.)

Nebraska was still a territory when the first shots of the U.S. Civil War (1861-1865) were fired 150 years ago at Fort Sumter, South Carolina, on April 12, 1861, and no battles were fought here. However, being a slavery-free region, a Nebraska volunteer regiment was raised and sent to fight with Union forces. Many veterans of that regiment returned after the war, while other veterans moved here to take advantage of the available land under the Homestead Act.

The shared experiences of the war led many of the Union veterans to join the Grand Army of the Republic, a fraternal organization which eventually became a strong lobbying voice for the rights of veterans. Members, like the gentlemen in the picture to the right, belonged to regional “Departments” and often attended the annual National Encampments. Descendants of veterans formed their own organizations such as Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War.

The first Sailors' and Soldiers' Homes in Nebraska, like this one outside of Grand Island in 1887, housed not only veterans of the Civil War but also their widows and mothers. And the first Decoration Day (later Memorial Day) was celebrated to honor Civil War veterans. Other Civil War materials such as cemetery monuments and records, musical scores, and portraits can be found in Nebraska Memories.

Visit Nebraska Memories to search for or browse through many more historical images digitized from photographs, negatives, postcards, maps, lantern slides, books and other materials.

Nebraska Memories is a cooperative project to digitize Nebraska-related historical and cultural heritage materials and make them available to researchers of all ages via the Internet. Nebraska Memories is brought to you by the Nebraska Library Commission. If your institution is interested in participating in Nebraska Memories, see nlc.nebraska.gov/nebraskamemories/ for more information, or contact Beth Goble, Government Information Services Director, or Devra Dragos, Technology & Access Services Director.

With April 1st fast approaching it’s a good time to explore some of the humorous items that can be found in Nebraska Memories.
Over the years I’m sure all of us have talked to a fisherman or a fisherwoman who’s had a tale of the one that got away. If they have been out fishing on Pibel Lake, located about 70 miles north of Grand Island, you might want to believe them. Looking at this postcard you can see that there are some big fish in Pibel Lake.
Not into fishing, maybe Laurel and Hardy is more your style or how about a man dressed as a woman? In 1944 at the prisoners of war at Camp Atlanta, near Holdrege, Nebraska, a man dresses as a woman for the theatrical production of “Lovers“.
If your funny bone is still not tickled, maybe you’re not looking at things the right way. This group of folks state that “We are all right when you look at us the right way.”
Before you plan any April Fool’s Day pranks, take a minute to read the lyrics of April First by Thurlow Lieurance and keep in mind “A chap who’s foolish but one day is doing well.”
Visit Nebraska Memories to search for or browse through many more historical images digitized from photographs, negatives, postcards, maps, lantern slides, books and other materials.
Nebraska Memories is a cooperative project to digitize Nebraska-related historical and cultural heritage materials and make them available to researchers of all ages via the Internet. Nebraska Memories is brought to you by the Nebraska Library Commission. If your institution is interested in participating in Nebraska Memories, see http://nlc.nebraska.gov/nebraskamemories/ for more information, or contact Beth Goble, Government Information Services Director, or Devra Dragos, Technology & Access Services Director.

“At least 150 people were killed and over 350 people were injured as a tornado swept through Omaha this Easter Sunday causing thousands of dollars of damage.”

Ninety-eight years ago on March 23 that would have been the lead story on the 10 o’clock news, if there had been TV in 1913. The historic Easter Tornado hit Omaha around 6:00 p.m. Sunday night. Even though there are no TV clips from this time there are many photos in Nebraska Memories documenting the destruction the tornado caused.


The path of the tornado started at 49th & Poppleton and continued through Carter Lake and Council Bluffs, Iowa. Areas suffering the heaviest damage were Bemis Park, Sacred Heart Academy and 24th & Lake Streets.* According to the article in Wikipedia the storm’s path was 40 miles long and ¼ to ½ mile wide.
The exact amount of damage this storm system caused varies a bit from source to source. The Commoner newspaper reported on March 28, 1913 that over 150 people died, 350 were injured and the property loss was estimated at near $6,000,000. The story also states that 1,200 houses, five public schools and seven churches were wrecked or demolished.

Looking at the photos in Nebraska Memories it’s interesting to think about how today’s media would cover this disaster. What would this woman standing in a pile of rubble say to a reporter about the tornado and how it impacted her life?
Visit Nebraska Memories to search for or browse through many more historical images digitized from photographs, negatives, postcards, maps, lantern slides, books and other materials.
Nebraska Memories is a cooperative project to digitize Nebraska-related historical and cultural heritage materials and make them available to researchers of all ages via the Internet. Nebraska Memories is brought to you by the Nebraska Library Commission. If your institution is interested in participating in Nebraska Memories, see http://nlc.nebraska.gov/nebraskamemories/ for more information, or contact Beth Goble, Government Information Services Director, or Devra Dragos, Technology & Access Services Director.
* Source: Driscoll, Charles. Complete Story of Omaha’s Disastrous Tornado, Omaha: Mogy Publishing, c1913.

Whether they visited a general store or a supermarket, Nebraskans have been grocery shopping for many decades. You can explore Nebraska Memories to find many images of grocery stores and their customers.
How do you think the grocery shopping experience at this Omaha store in the late 1930s or early 1940s differed from your own? (Wentworth, William, Women shopping in grocery store, The Durham Museum collection, 1930-1945)

What about shopping at this general store in the early 1900s? (Nelson, John, Family in shop, Nebraska State Historical Society collection, 1907-1917).
See other images of Nebraskans doing their grocery shopping and grocers displaying their wares.
Visit Nebraska Memories to search for or browse through many more historical images digitized from photographs, negatives, postcards, maps, lantern slides, books and other materials.
Nebraska Memories is a cooperative project to digitize Nebraska-related historical and cultural heritage materials and make them available to researchers of all ages via the Internet. Nebraska Memories is brought to you by the Nebraska Library Commission. If your institution is interested in participating in Nebraska Memories, see http://nlc.nebraska.gov/nebraskamemories/ for more information, or contact Beth Goble, Government Information Services Director, or Devra Dragos, Technology & Access Services Director.

When it’s March and it just keeps snowing…and snowing… many of us look for something to get us out of the house and keep the winter blahs away. Activities meant to enrich our lives, such as musical events , have been a popular choice over the years.
Great artist course presenting Miss Rosa Ponsell Polley Music Library Collection, 1923.
This dreamy-eyed beauty (“Sensational Prima Donna , Dramatic Soprano, Metropolitan Opera Company, New York”) appears on the cover of the program for her March 6, 1923 performance at the Lincoln City Auditorium. Rosa was a featured artist for that year’s Great Artist Course series.

Lincoln Symphony Orchestra, 1928-1929, third season, fourth concert Polley Music Library Collection, 1929
This gorgeous Art Deco cover appears on the March 24, 1929 program of a Lincoln Symphony Orchestra concert. The lengthy program includes biographical information about composers. Then, as now, programs often included ads from sponsors. This one includes an ad for a Steinway Piano for $1425!
To see more March concert programs from the Polley Music Library at Lincoln City Libraries, go to March Programs
Visit Nebraska Memories to search for or browse through many more historical images digitized from photographs, negatives, postcards, maps, lantern slides, books and other materials.
Nebraska Memories is a cooperative project to digitize Nebraska-related historical and cultural heritage materials and make them available to researchers of all ages via the Internet. Nebraska Memories is brought to you by the Nebraska Library Commission. If your institution is interested in participating in Nebraska Memories, see http://
nlc.nebraska.gov/nebraskamemories/ for more information, or contact Beth Goble, Government Information Services Director, or Devra Dragos, Technology & Access Services Director.

“American women, the first quarter of the twentieth century, have won two rights: the right of exercising the suffrage and the right of participation in sport.” So said Glenna Collett, one of the greatest female golfers, in 1924.*
To kick-off Women’s History Month, consider some of the sports and physical activities that women and girls have enjoyed. Can you imagine playing basketball wearing dresses and mob caps like these Nebraska high school girls? (“Sacramento basketball team“, Phelps County Historical Society collection, 1913)
See other images available in Nebraska Memories of girls and women who have participated in sports and enjoyed the outdoors.
Visit Nebraska Memories to search for or browse through many more historical images digitized from photographs, negatives, postcards, maps, lantern slides, books and other materials.
Nebraska Memories is a cooperative project to digitize Nebraska-related historical and cultural heritage materials and make them available to researchers of all ages via the Internet. Nebraska Memories is brought to you by the Nebraska Library Commission. If your institution is interested in participating in Nebraska Memories, see http://nlc.nebraska.gov/nebraskamemories/ for more information, or contact Beth Goble, Government Information Services Director, or Devra Dragos, Technology & Access Services Director.
*Glenna Collett, “Sports for Women”, Woman’s Home Companion, 51 (September 1924), 21.

There have been three state capitol buildings in Lincoln. The latest one, designed by Bertram G. Goodhue, took about ten years and $9.8 million to build. A photograph of a model of this third building can be found in Nebraska Memories (Thompson, Alva C., Nebraska State Capitol Building, model, Townsend Studio collection, 1925). If you are traveling to Lincoln for NLA’s Legislative Day later this week, take a look at the image and compare it to the completed version. Do you notice any differences?
All three capitol buildings have been popular backdrops for photographs over the years. Check out more images of the state capitol buildings as well as some past governors and state senators in Nebraska Memories.
Visit Nebraska Memories to search for or browse through many more historical images digitized from photographs, negatives, postcards, maps, lantern slides, books and other materials.
Nebraska Memories is a cooperative project to digitize Nebraska-related historical and cultural heritage materials and make them available to researchers of all ages via the Internet. Nebraska Memories is brought to you by the Nebraska Library Commission. If your institution is interested in participating in Nebraska Memories, see http://nlc.nebraska.gov/nebraskamemories/ for more information, or contact Beth Goble, Government Information Services Director, or Devra Dragos, Technology & Access Services Director.

Have you visited Nebraska Memories lately? If you are interested in Nebraska history, culture, or genealogy, visit Nebraska Memories again, as we have added some things you may not have seen. Images of Chautauqua performers, floods, students, government buildings, athletes, store displays, family portraits and much more can be found in Nebraska Memories.
Nebraska Memories now has collections from 30 participants which include images digitized from photographs, glass plate negatives, postcards, maps, scores, books, and other formats attached to 4,957 records. Among our newest participants are Union College, Ella Johnson Crandall Memorial Library; Townsend Studio; Cheyenne County Historical Society and Museum; and Mitchell Public Library. New images have also been added to the Dodge County Historic Society Collections, Omaha Public Library and Alegent Health Immanuel Medical Center collections.

An example of how Nebraska Memories can help you: Do you have patrons interested in President’s Day? In addition to naming the state capital after President Abraham Lincoln, statues of Lincoln have been erected in, on or by various Nebraska buildings over the years. Here’s one tribute to President Lincoln at the Nebraska State Normal School at Kearney (Abraham Lincoln statue in Auditorium, University of Nebraska at Kearney collection, 1917).
Check out other representations of President Lincoln in Nebraska Memories and browse or search for images of the city of Lincoln.

Nebraska Memories is a cooperative project to digitize Nebraska-related historical and cultural heritage materials and make them available to researchers of all ages via the Internet. Nebraska Memories is brought to you by the Nebraska Library Commission. If your institution is interested in participating in Nebraska Memories, see http://nlc.nebraska.gov/nebraskamemories/ for more information or contact Beth Goble, Government Information Services Director, or Devra Dragos, Technology & Access Services Director.