The Gentry County Library was established by a vote of the people of Gentry County after the Missouri State Library Bookmobile demonstrations in 1953 and 1954.

In September 1955 the five member library board appointed by the county hired Mrs. Irene Groom as Library Director along with Mr. A.D. Miller as bookmobile driver.

On January 1 1956 the Gentry County Library Bookmobile began service to the patrons of Gentry County. The first bookmobile was an old bread truck given as a gift from Independence, MO.

The truck was converted by Mr. Miller, with shelving made to hold the meager collection that the bookmobile started with. In  1970 the Gentry County Library purchased a brand new bookmobile from the

 Gerstenslager Company of Wooster Ohio for  $17,008.00.  With a capacity of 3,500 books it was definitely a much improved  asset to the patrons of Gentry County. Every detail was carefully considered during the purchase from

the solid oak shelving to the color of the upholstery and carpeting. It was put into service in July of 1970. The Gerstenslager remained a familiar site in Gentry County undergoing restorative measures in 1997. After

 decades of library outreach service the Gerstenslager bookmobile was retired in May of 2006 and on June 1st, 2006  a brand new Bookmobile mini-van has replaced it.  The Gentry County Library is very proud to

be one of the few in the state that  have maintained its outreach program bringing library resources to communities throughout the county, including nursing homes, senior centers, and retirement communities. The

bookmobile also continues to bring library resources to homebound residents who cannot travel to the library.

1940's Breadtruck

Gerstenslager Bookmobile 1970 model

Front View Gerstenslager model 1970

Rear view of Gerstenslager 1970 model.

New 2006 Dodge Minivan Bookmobile.

Gentry County Library Board Members in New Bookmobile 6-06

Your Library Staff in new Bookmobile!

This was the style of truck that was donated to be the very first bookmobile for Gentry County! The truck was retrofitted with shelves, loaded with the used donated books that the library started with and visited many patrons throughout the county.

From left to right: Betty Grace, board secretary; Gabe Shineman, President; Rosalie Workman, Treasurer; Judy V. Jennings, Vice President; Not Pictured Linda Polley, Trustee.

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1940's Breadtruck

This was the style of truck that was donated to be the very first bookmobile for Gentry County! The truck was retrofitted with shelves, loaded with the used donated books that the library started with and visited many patrons throughout the county.