A Novel Idea

The Pack Horse Librarians of Kentucky

This episode of A Novel Idea tells the story of the dedicated librarians of the WPA's Pack Horse Library Initiative. These indomitable women braved treacherous trails, harsh weather, wild animals, and suspicious locals to deliver books to Kentucky's most isolated homes and schools during the height of the Great Depression. Host: Erin Goad Chief Researcher / Writer: Angela Naiser Producer / Editor: Kristin Wright References: Burgess, A. (2017, August 31). The women who rode miles on horseback to deliver library books. Retrieved from https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/librarians-horseback-new-deal-book-delivery-wpa [https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/librarians-horseback-new-deal-book-delivery-wpa] Fifield, J. (2018, April 7). Bookmobiles alive and kicking in Kentucky which has more than any other state; 75 are on the road. Retrieved from https://www.nkytribune.com/2018/04/bookmobiles-alive-and-kicking-in-kentucky-which-has-more-than-any-other-state-75-are-on-the-road/https://www.nkytribune.com/2018/04/bookmobiles-alive-and-kicking-in-kentucky-which-has-more-than-any-other-state-75-are-on-the- [https://www.nkytribune.com/2018/04/bookmobiles-alive-and-kicking-in-kentucky-which-has-more-than-any-other-state-75-are-on-the-road/]road/ [https://www.nkytribune.com/2018/04/bookmobiles-alive-and-kicking-in-kentucky-which-has-more-than-any-other-state-75-are-on-the-road/] McGraw, E. (2017, June 21). Horse-riding librarians were the Great Depression’s bookmobiles: During the Great Depression, a New Deal program brought books to Kentuckians living in remote areas. Retrieved from https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/horse-riding-librarians-were-great-depression- [https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/horse-riding-librarians-were-great-depression-bookmobiles-180963786/]bookmobiles-180963786/ [https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/horse-riding-librarians-were-great-depression-bookmobiles-180963786/] University of Kentucky (n.d.) Packhorse librarians in Kentucky WPA project 1936 – 1943[photographic collection]. Retrieved from http://www.kywcrh.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/WPA-Project-pack-horse-librarians-in-kentucky-1936-43.pdfhttp://www.kywcrh.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/WPA-Project-pack-horse-librarians-in-kentucky-1936-43.pdf [http://www.kywcrh.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/WPA-Project-pack-horse-librarians-in-kentucky-1936-43.pdf] VCU Libraries Social Welfare History Project. (1937) WPA traveling libraries: A speech in 1937 [transcript].  Retrieved from https://socialwelfare.library.vcu.edu/eras/great-depression/wpa-travelling-libraries/https://socialwelfare.library.vcu.edu/eras/great-depression/wpa-travelling-libraries/ [https://socialwelfare.library.vcu.edu/eras/great-depression/wpa-travelling-libraries/]