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 grouping them into different sections or paragraphs. She could start by providing an overview of the Pack Horse Library initiative and its purpose during the Great Depression. Then, she could discuss the challenges faced by people living in the Appalachian region of Kentucky during that time, such as scarcity of food, education, and jobs, as well as the low literacy rates. Alicia could then focus on the logistics of the Pack Horse Library program, including the types of facilities used as libraries, the role of the librarians, the routes taken by the carriers, and the transportation methods. Finally, she could discuss the difficulties and resistance faced by the librarians, such as dangerous roads, unreliable horses, and initial suspicion from mountain families.
2. Possible headings for Alicia's report could include:
- Overview of the Pack Horse Library initiative
- Challenges faced by people in the Appalachian region during the Great Depression
- Logistics of the Pack Horse Library program
- Difficulties faced by the packhorse librarians
- Resistance faced by the librarians from mountain families.
1. Alicia could organize these ideas for her report by creating an outline or a structured list. She can start by listing the main points and then breaking down each point into sub-points or details. This will help her ensure a logical flow in her report and make it easier for readers to follow.
2. Possible headings she could use for her report:
a. Introduction
b. Background on the Great Depression in the Appalachian region of Kentucky
c. The need for the Pack Horse Library initiative
d. Establishing the pack horse libraries
e. Operations of the pack horse libraries
- Housing and locations
- Librarians and carriers
- Frequency and coverage of book distribution
f. Challenges and obstacles faced by the pack horse librarians
- Lack of infrastructure (electricity and highways)
- Illiteracy rates in Kentucky
- Dangerous and impassable roads
- Horses' health and reliability
- Initial resistance from mountain families
g. Impact and achievements of the Pack Horse Library initiative
h. Conclusion
1. Alicia can organize these ideas for her report by categorizing them into different sections that cover various aspects of the Pack Horse Library initiative during the Great Depression in Kentucky.
2. Here are some possible headings Alicia could use:
- Introduction: Overview of the Pack Horse Library initiative and its purpose during the Great Depression
- The Need for the Program: Exploring the scarcity of food, education, and jobs in the Appalachian region of Kentucky during the Great Depression
- Illiteracy Rates in Kentucky: Examining the alarming illiteracy rates in eastern Kentucky and its impact on the community
- Infrastructure Challenges: Highlighting the limited development of electricity and highways in Kentucky compared to neighboring states
- The Pack Horse Libraries: Describing the different locations used as library facilities, such as churches and post offices
- The Librarians and Carriers: Discussing the role of librarians and the carriers who rode horses or mules to deliver books to mountain communities
- Challenges Faced: Examining the difficulties librarians and carriers encountered, including dangerous roads, unreliable horses, and resistance from some families
- Impact of the Program: Analyzing the positive effects of the Pack Horse Library initiative on literacy rates and access to reading materials in the Appalachian region of Kentucky
- Conclusion: Summarizing the significance of the Pack Horse Library program during the Great Depression and its lasting legacy.