#Mobilelibraries date to the 1850s. The #PackHorseLibrary initiative was part of FDR’s WorksProgressAdministration #WPA; almost all were women. Both undertakings aimed to deliver books to rural areas where no library existed.
‘Four of the Pack Horse librarians ready for the day’s work’ Goodman-Paxton Photographic Collection, Kentucky Digital Library https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/horse-riding-librarians-were-great-depression-bookmobiles-180963786/ 27.8.20
‘A Pack Horse Librarian returning over the mountain side for a new supply of books.’ Goodman-Paxton Photographic Collection, Kentucky Digital Library https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/horse-riding-librarians-were-great-depression-bookmobiles-180963786/ 27.8.20
Pack Horse Library carrier.’ Goodman-Paxton Photographic Collection, Kentucky Digital Library https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/horse-riding-librarians-were-great-depression-bookmobiles-180963786/ 27.8.20
‘Mountain recipes and scrap books of current events have been developed by the Packhorse librarians who deliver 3,548 books monthly.’ Goodman-Paxton Photographic Collection, Kentucky Digital Library. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/horse-riding-librarians-were-great-depression-bookmobiles-180963786/ 27.8.20
The W.P.A.’s Pack Horse Library initiative sent librarians deep into Appalachia distributing reading material to the people who lived in a rugged, 10,000-square-mile area of eastern Kentucky.
#GreatDepression #TheNewDeal #WPA #libraries #PackHorseLibrary
