Goodman-Paxton Photographic Collection University of Kentucky Packhorse Librarians in Kentucky WPA Project

PACKHORSE LIBRARIANS IN KENTUCKY: WPA PROJECT, This visual display has been prepared to complement the promotion of the University of Kentucky Libraries’ Works Progress Administration / Work Projects Administration (WPA) materials collection. Recognized as a Center of Excellence for its WPA collection, UK Libraries is committed to the continued development of the collection, acquiring material for both preservation and use. Display Curator: Angelia Pulley Full Credit Narrative - Posted on Wall Photos and text included in this display were obtained from the Goodman-Paxton Photographic Collection, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.

“Packhorse Library Carriers mounted on horses outside Packhorse Library in Hindman, Ky.” box 23 item 2885

“Four of the Packhorse librarians ready for the day's work” box 13 item 695

box 26 item 3963

box 20 item 1501

“Many roads can be traveled only on horseback by the carriers on Packhorse Library Projects” box 11 item 610

“Packhorse librarians cross footlogs to reach home used as a distributing center for that mountain community” box 11 item 609

“WPA Packhorse librarian visits isolated mountain house, carrying books in saddle bags and home- made hickory baskets” box 13 item 692

“Mountain recipes and scrap books of current events have been developed by the Packhorse librarians who deliver 3,548 books monthly” box 11 item 608

“Packhorse Library Building in Hindman, Ky.” box 23 item 2877

“Red, white and blue Packhorse Library sign outside Louisa, 1941” box 24 item 3058

“Mrs. Short, certified Packhorse Library worker, standing in doorway, 1941.” box 24 item 3059

“Sign at Norris Packhorse Library project, 1941.” box 24 item 3060

“Mr. Hale, Librarian at Norris Packhorse Library, 1941.” box 24 item 3061

“Interior of WPA Library in Hyden, KY.” box 24 item 3102

“Packing saddle bags with carefully chosen books which will be distributed in rural and mountain communities” box 13 item 694

“Librarians checking out rural carrier at McKee Public Library operated by WPA” box 22 item 2461

“Interior view of McKee Public Library operated by WPA” box 22 item 2462

“Four pack horse librarians in this county [Owsley] rode 564 miles last month with saddle bags filled with books and magazines...” box 36 item 5638

“Pack Horse Librarians start down Greasy Creek to remote homes of mountaineers anxious for books.” box 31 item 4968

“Interior of mountain cabin visited by WPA Packhorse Librarian.” box 24 item 3101

“One of the mountain homes visited by WPA Packhorse librarian. Man was permanently injured by bullet wound” box 13 item 696

“Interior of mountain cabin. Packhorse Library Carrier is seated at wooden table.” box 23 item 2886

“Packhorse Library Carrier mounted and ready to leave mountain cabin after delivering books.” box 23 item 2887

“WPA Librarian visits mountain school.” box 24 item 3100

“Eleanor Roosevelt visiting the Packhorse Library in West Liberty, KY” box 31 item 4966

“Mrs. Roosevelt chats with a Pack Horse Librarian of the Kentucky Mountains at the dedication exercises of the West Liberty High School.” box 31 item 4965

“Books donated for distribution on WPA Packhorse Library Project. 3,914 books and 8,808 magazines delivered monthly...” box 13 item 693

Works Projects Administration Exhibit Description This visual image display is supplementary to the promotion of the University of Kentucky’s WPA collection as a Center of Excellence. Its purpose is to promote an understanding of what the WPA is and its impact on the State of Kentucky. The Works Progress Administration (WPA) collection at the University of Kentucky is becoming more comprehensive thanks to the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries (ASERL), and the Collaborative Federal Depository Program (CFDP). UK has been given the opportunity to develop a Center of Excellence for the WPA through an Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) grant. As a Center of Excellence, UK is developing a collection of archival pieces that are non-circulating and will preserve the WPA publications in their original format. The libraries are also acquiring extra copies for use by researchers. Currently, UK's collection has over 2,000 items published by the Works Progress Administration. Goodman-Paxton Photographic Collection, PA64M1 Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries The collection consists of 5,699 black and white photographic prints. These images document the accomplishments of the WPA within the state of Kentucky: the construction of schools, hospitals, courthouses, libraries, and municipal buildings. Many of these photographs show people enrolled in various WPA programs: pack-horse librarians, writers, musicians, teachers, artists, doctors, nurses, and women’s training centers. Credits Undergraduate Student Angelia Pulley curated the exhibit with the guidance of Mary McLaren, Federal Depository Collections Librarian, Jennifer Bartlett, Head of Reference Services & The Hub at W.T. Young Library, and Dr. Randolph Hollingsworth, Assistant Provost, University of Kentucky, as Faculty Sponsor for Internship. Contribution was made by Lillie Staton, Paul Laurence Dunbar High School Intern, and Ruth Bryan, Director of Archives & University Archivist, for research assistance. Sections WPA Construction Projects from Kentucky’s 120 Counties Kentucky Pack Horse Librarians WPA Women’s Training Centers WPA Recreation and Child Care Programs WPA Programs: Writers, Musicians, Artists, Teachers, Doctors and Nurses, employed in WPA programs