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
⚫ 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 grouping them together based on their relevance and relation to each other. For example, she could start by introducing the Pack Horse Library initiative and its purpose, then dive into the statistics and facts about the program's reach and impact. She can also include information about the challenges faced by the librarians and the people in the Appalachian region. By organizing the ideas in a logical and coherent manner, Alicia can ensure that her report flows smoothly and provides a comprehensive overview of the topic.
2. Possible headings Alicia could use for her report:
- Introduction to the Pack Horse Library initiative
- The Great Depression and its impact on the Appalachian region
- Lack of access to education and reading materials in Kentucky
- The role of the Pack Horse Library initiative
- Reach and impact of the program
- Challenges faced by packhorse librarians
- Benefits and resistance from the local community
- Conclusion: Legacy and significance of the Pack Horse Library initiative
1. To organize these ideas for her report, Alicia could consider grouping the facts based on their relevance and connection to each other. By organizing the information logically, she can create a cohesive and comprehensive report on the Pack Horse Library initiative. Alicia could use a combination of chronological and thematic organization to present the facts in a clear and engaging manner.
2. Alicia can use the following headings to structure her report:
I. Introduction
- Overview of the Great Depression and its impact on Appalachia
- Introduction to the Pack Horse Library initiative
II. The Need for the Pack Horse Library initiative
- Scarce resources in the Appalachian region during the Great Depression
- High illiteracy rates in Eastern Kentucky
III. The Pack Horse Library Program
- Description of the program and its objectives
- Services provided by the packhorse librarians
IV. Role of Packhorse Librarians and Carriers
- Recruitment and training of librarians
- Responsibilities of the carriers
- Frequency and distance of book deliveries
V. Challenges Faced by the Pack Horse Library initiative
- Lack of infrastructure in Kentucky
- Availability and reliability of transportation (horses and mules)
- Resistance from mountain families
VI. Impact and Legacy of the Pack Horse Library initiative
- Increased access to education and reading materials
- Long-lasting benefits to the community
VII. Conclusion
- Recap of the Pack Horse Library initiative and its significance
- Summary of the key findings and contributions made by the program
1. Alicia can organize these ideas for her report by categorizing them based on their main themes or topics. She can group related facts together to create a clear and logical structure for her report.
2. Here are some possible headings that Alicia could use to organize her report:
- Introduction: The Pack Horse Library Initiative during the Great Depression
- The Need for the Pack Horse Library Initiative:
- Lack of access to education and reading materials in the Appalachian region
- Difficulties in transportation and infrastructure
- The Operation of the Pack Horse Library Initiative:
- Description of the program and its goals
- Roles and responsibilities of librarians and carriers
- Frequency and distance of book deliveries
- Challenges Faced by the Pack Horse Library Initiative:
- Dangerous and impassable roads
- Health and reliability of horses and mules
- Initial resistance from mountain families
- Impact and Success of the Pack Horse Library Initiative:
- Number of families and schools served
- Contributions from outside donations
- Improvements in literacy rates in eastern Kentucky
- Conclusion: The Legacy of the Pack Horse Library Initiative