Alicia is writing an informative text on the topic of the Pack Horse Library initiative, a mobile library program created during the Great Depression. Alicia gathered the following facts from her initial research:
During the Great Depression, librarians rode on horseback into the Appalachian region of Kentucky and distributed reading material to the people otherwise isolated from schools and libraries. This program was called the Pack Horse Library initiative. In 1936, packhorse librarians served 50,000 families and, by 1937, 155 public schools. During the Great Depression, food, education, and jobs were scarce for people living in the Appalachian region of Kentucky. In 1930, up to 31 percent of people in eastern Kentucky couldn’t read. Electricity and highways in Kentucky were not as advanced as those in neighboring states. Libraries for the Pack Horse program were housed in any facility that was available, from churches to post offices. Librarians staffed these libraries, giving books to carriers who then rode their horses or mules and brought books to those living in the mountains. Carriers rode out at least twice a month, with each route covering 100 to 120 miles a week. Riders used their own horses and mules. Riders earned $28 a month. The books and magazines they carried usually came from outside donations. Roads could be dangerous and impassable. Health, strength, and reliability of the horses were a problem. Some mountain families initially resisted the librarians, suspicious of outsiders/intruders.
1. How could Alicia organize these ideas for her report?
2. What headings could she use?
1. Alicia could organize these ideas for her report by categorizing them into subtopics related to the Pack Horse Library initiative. She could start with an introduction that provides an overview of the program and its purpose during the Great Depression. Then, she could discuss the challenges faced by people in the Appalachian region and the importance of literacy during that time. Following that, Alicia could go into more detail about the logistics of the program, including the librarians' methods of distribution, the number of families and schools served, and the locations used as library facilities. Finally, Alicia could address the difficulties and dangers faced by the librarians and the initial resistance from some mountain families.
2. Possible headings for Alicia's report could include:
- Introduction
- Challenges Faced during the Great Depression in the Appalachian Region
- The Pack Horse Library Initiative: Background and Purpose
- Logistics of the Pack Horse Library Initiative
- Dangers and Difficulties Faced by the Librarians
- Overcoming Resistance: Changing Perceptions of Mountain Families
1. Alicia could organize these ideas for her report by creating an outline that highlights the main points and subtopics. This will help her present the information in a structured and coherent manner.
2. Possible headings Alicia could use for her report are:
- Introduction: The Pack Horse Library initiative during the Great Depression
- Background: The socio-economic conditions in the Appalachian region of Kentucky during the Great Depression
- The Pack Horse Library Program: Overview and Goals
- Implementation: How the program operated and the role of librarians
- Housing and Locations: Libraries' locations and facilities
- Carriers and Routes: The individuals involved, their responsibilities, and distances covered
- Challenges and Dangers: Difficulties faced by the librarians and carriers
- Impact and Outreach: Statistics and achievements of the program
- Initial Resistance: Skepticism and mistrust from some mountain families
- Conclusion: Importance and legacy of the Pack Horse Library initiative
1. To organize the ideas for her report, Alicia can use a structured outline. This will help her identify the main points and supporting details, allowing for a clear and logical flow of information in her writing.
2. Alicia can use the following headings to organize her report:
I. Introduction
A. Background on the Great Depression
B. Overview of the Pack Horse Library initiative
II. Need for the Pack Horse Library initiative
A. Scarcity of food, education, and jobs during the Great Depression
B. Illiteracy rates in eastern Kentucky
III. Implementation of the Pack Horse Library initiative
A. Description of packhorse librarians and their role
B. How libraries were housed in various facilities
C. Frequency and distance of book distribution routes
IV. Challenges faced by the Pack Horse Library initiative
A. Dangerous and impassable roads
B. Health and reliability of the horses
C. Initial resistance from mountain families
V. Impact and significance of the Pack Horse Library initiative
A. Number of families and schools served
B. Contributions from outside donations
C. Role in increasing literacy rates and providing access to reading material
VI. Conclusion
A. Recap of the Pack Horse Library initiative
B. Importance of the program during the Great Depression