Nicki Jacobsmeyer, Kentucky's Packhorse Librarians. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing, 2025. ISBN: 9781467162180.
This particular volume focuses on the packhorse librarians of Kentucky. This was a New Deal WPA program that provided funding for librarians and volunteers to deliver books and reading materials to deep rural areas. They did so riding horses or mules as they often visited places that were challenging to access. During the Great Depression, these packhorse librarians bought solace, literacy, entertainment, comfort, and hope to some of the poorest areas in Kentucky and Appalachia.
The book features an introduction, seven chapters, and a small bibliography. The strength of the books is in the black and white photographs drawn from various archives. The photos show the work the librarians did, the people they served, and the region. You truly get a feel that you are stepping back in time. In addition, all photos include a text caption to describe the photo as well as tell the overall story.
The book as a whole is relatively easy to read. It shows a bit of history not many outside the region may know. Book is very basic, almost like an annotated photo album.
Recommended for libraries in Kentucky. Some library school programs looking at histories of libraries may want to consider it. For academic libraries, may want to consider it if their school teachers about the Great Depression. We ordered it here I am sure due to regional interest plus some of the photos come from our Special Collections and Archives department. In the end, I really liked it.
4 out of 5 stars.
Qualifies for 2026 Virtual Mount TBR Reading Challenge.
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