Book an appointment with the travelling librarians
I WAS of the opinion, until a couple of years ago, that Thomas Russell, United Irishman, was probably the most exciting librarian of all time.
Russell worked at the Linen Hall Library in Belfast, before turning his attention to serving with the United Irishmen in the 1798 Rebellion. For his trouble, he was hanged at Downpatrick Gaol.
But recently, further plucky librarians entered the equation — the Book Women of Kentucky in the 1930s and 1940s. These indomitable ladies were the travelling librarians in the rural areas of the state.
They would saddle up, usually at dawn, to pick their way up snowy hillsides and through muddy creeks to deliver books to Kentucky’s isolated mountain communities.
There were a few hardy men who also helped out in the book deliveries, but in general women made up what was known as The Pack Horse Library initiative.
Not just printed books were delivered. Home-made ones too. Old magazines and The Book Women rode 100 to 120 miles a week, on their own horses or mules, regardless of the weather.
If the destination was too remote even for horses, they dismounted and went on foot. In most cases, they were recruited locally — according to a Kentucky Library source, ‘a familiar face to otherwise distrustful mountain folk’. Think Deliverance, I suppose. I remember reading about these women some time ago. I emailed my brother at the time — he lives in Virginia — and I said that magnificently romantic though the scheme was, and admirable from every point of view, I couldn’t see roving horseback libraries returning any time in the near future.
They were a shining example of true public service, but now consigned to history.
Who would be a prophet? I have now just received an email from my brother saying that all public libraries in the county where he lives have been closed indefinitely. Saddle up, ladies!