Have you heard of the Packhorse Library?

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I recently finished reading ‘The Giver of Stars’ by Jojo Moyes. Although fictional, it is based on fact, specifically the Pack Horse Library Project, a program instigated by a Works Progress Administration and designed to deliver books to remote regions in the Appalachian Mountains in Kentucky, USA. The project ran between 1935 and 19443 and eventually had 30 different libraries serving 100,000 people. The books were delivered by women, mostly, on horseback. The terrain and weather were very challenging indeed but there was a great demand for the service. The books were delivered to individuals and to schoolhouses. Occasionally, a ‘librarian’ would spend time reading to a person. The books were donated but counties had to provide storage for the books and had to cope with the administrative tasks involved in the running of the library. The Wikipedia article on this subject is worth reading. Moyes’ book is also worth reading and gives an insight into the harsh lives led by those in the Appalachians. It also deals with the attitudes of the people towards religion, education and the position of women. The photo is mine and I’ve taken the opportunity to show you some more of the endurance riders.