Horse-Riding Librarians Were the Great Depression’s Bookmobiles

September 5, 2017 8:42 AM

The Pack Horse Library initiative, which sent librarians deep into Appalachia, was one of the New Deal’s most unique plans.

Also:
Pack Horse Librarians in Kentucky (pdf version of slideshow)
WPA Traveling Libraries
Down Cut Shin Creek,
The Pack Horse Librarians of Kentucky

posted by carter (7 comments total)

Whoa.

In my imagination, in addition to the saddlebags full of books they also have holsters hanging from their belts, from which they can quick-draw the most vital reading material.
posted by XMLicious at 9:20 AM on September 5, 2017

Marian the Equestrian...
posted by jim in austin at 9:33 AM on September 5, 2017

This is where I live. We still have an ungodly illiteracy rate, even though most people do graduate high school these days.
posted by Miss Cellania at 11:37 AM on September 5, 2017

I love that bookmobiles have (and had) so many different forms based on the needs of the community. (Though clearly there are many, many communities who still have a great need that isn't being met.) Check out these bibliocycles (bookmobiles by bike) as the modern contrast.
posted by carrioncomfort at 1:30 PM on September 5, 2017

Ok there needs to be a prestige drama about this. Have Book, Will Travel.
posted by stevis23 at 1:31 PM on September 5, 2017 [3 favorites]

One thing I love about the New Deal is how many niche programs there were - it was so far from one size fits all.

I would pay to subscribe to any service that makes this into a TV series. Plus it should be a children's book. If I had known about the Pack Horse Librarians as a child I would have been able to think of nothing else. Books + horses! The two things I spent all my time thinking about! Together in the mountains!!!
posted by Emmy Rae at 1:49 PM on September 5, 2017

There's been at least one.
posted by brujita at 2:55 PM on September 5, 2017 [1 favorite]