Historical fiction I enjoyed regarding the Pack Horse Library: Kim Michele Richardson's The Bookwoman of Troublesom Creek and The Bookwoman's Daughter.
I didn't exactly grow up inside a library. But for a few years in my childhood, my mother worked part-time as an assistant librarian. She was a homemaker and homeschooler, so, when she worked, we came with her. We brought our workbooks, but I spent more time reading from the shelves than doing homework. Since then, libraries have felt like places of refuge. When I lived in the city as a poor student, my recreational outings were usually to go to the central branch of the public library.
That sounds like an ideal childhood! I loved my childhood library in Roseville, California. The main library was next to a large park. I could spend hours in that place—and did. The only thing that would have been better? Having an excuse to be there every day!
The (relative) lack of a third place in modern society doesn’t get talked about enough.
I was lucky. Growing up my third place, the practice field, still survives. However I know for many people (especially those raising kids!) there’s nowhere for their children to go and be kids.
Yes, I find that fascinating. I’ve read a handful of ebooks in the last decade and a half but don’t much enjoy it. I’d rather read print any day, though I do love a good audiobook.
Municipalities always struggle to fund; there are usually too many compelling demands for the available dollars. But libraries seem like a better bet than many other expenditures. Still, I wonder what it would take to encourage more publicly-open, private libraries like the independent association in the UK. That would be interesting.
Of course you did 🙂. Your review makes me want to reread it, but I have to confess that your link-filled posts take me down so many fascinating rabbit holes I may not have time for books any more! Unintended consequences 😂.
What a treasure this is Joel! I absolutely love the StoryCorps video. What an amazing childhood to grow up in a library and be able to just go there anytime to read. Also - I have read about the pack houre librarians before but its fascinating. Your newletters are always well research and interestesting. I just sent mine out yesterday but will share links to this next month if that is ok with you.
For three years in high school, I worked in my local public library. I made 80 cents an hour to start, and by my senior year had worked up to the majestic sum of $1.50 an hour, but was happy as a pig in shit. Someone was PAYING ME to spend time amongst the books and periodicals. 60 years have passed, but it is still the most enjoyable job I ever had.
What a fabulous piece, Joel! I love things like this. Will definitely be researching more on the Pack Horse Library Initiative - what a story that would make!
Joel, this is a bit unrelated, but this is as good a place as any to mention it. I've searched your blog for any review or mention of Tom Mole's fun volume, "The Secret Life of Books." (Sorry for the quotes, but I can't figure out how to italicize here.) I know we've talked about Mole's book before, but your book-loving readers would likely enjoy knowing about it, if they don't already.
Our local lending library was at the core of my teen years, had some of my happiest and most expansive times exploring its contents and reading there. It was also a refuge of sorts too.
Wonderful to have that memory. I had a similar time exploring my local library growing up. I remember bouncing between the young adult fiction shelves for Tarzan novels and the folklore and mythology section for Celtic and Norse mythology—my favorite back then.
Historical fiction I enjoyed regarding the Pack Horse Library: Kim Michele Richardson's The Bookwoman of Troublesom Creek and The Bookwoman's Daughter.
That’s great! Thanks for sharing!
I didn't exactly grow up inside a library. But for a few years in my childhood, my mother worked part-time as an assistant librarian. She was a homemaker and homeschooler, so, when she worked, we came with her. We brought our workbooks, but I spent more time reading from the shelves than doing homework. Since then, libraries have felt like places of refuge. When I lived in the city as a poor student, my recreational outings were usually to go to the central branch of the public library.
That sounds like an ideal childhood! I loved my childhood library in Roseville, California. The main library was next to a large park. I could spend hours in that place—and did. The only thing that would have been better? Having an excuse to be there every day!
The (relative) lack of a third place in modern society doesn’t get talked about enough.
I was lucky. Growing up my third place, the practice field, still survives. However I know for many people (especially those raising kids!) there’s nowhere for their children to go and be kids.
We’re so virtual these days I wonder if we don’t spend enough time thinking about physical spaces and how they impact our social interactions.
Great article and so encouraging (speaking as a 4- decade English teacher) to read that the youngest generations are returning to libraries and print!
Yes, I find that fascinating. I’ve read a handful of ebooks in the last decade and a half but don’t much enjoy it. I’d rather read print any day, though I do love a good audiobook.
I can't say enough about libraries. They are undervalued and underfunded, despite the good done by articles like this one.
Municipalities always struggle to fund; there are usually too many compelling demands for the available dollars. But libraries seem like a better bet than many other expenditures. Still, I wonder what it would take to encourage more publicly-open, private libraries like the independent association in the UK. That would be interesting.
Anthony Doerr’s _Cloud Cuckoo Land_ has a plot in which libraries and librarians are central.
I loved that novel. I reviewed it back in 2022 https://www.millersbookreview.com/p/anthony-doerr-cloud-cuckoo-land
Of course you did 🙂. Your review makes me want to reread it, but I have to confess that your link-filled posts take me down so many fascinating rabbit holes I may not have time for books any more! Unintended consequences 😂.
LOL. These are the risks!
What a treasure this is Joel! I absolutely love the StoryCorps video. What an amazing childhood to grow up in a library and be able to just go there anytime to read. Also - I have read about the pack houre librarians before but its fascinating. Your newletters are always well research and interestesting. I just sent mine out yesterday but will share links to this next month if that is ok with you.
Yes! Please do, Shayne. Thank you!
For three years in high school, I worked in my local public library. I made 80 cents an hour to start, and by my senior year had worked up to the majestic sum of $1.50 an hour, but was happy as a pig in shit. Someone was PAYING ME to spend time amongst the books and periodicals. 60 years have passed, but it is still the most enjoyable job I ever had.
What a fantastic memory! One of my first jobs out of high school was working in a used bookstore. It was glorious.
What a fabulous piece, Joel! I love things like this. Will definitely be researching more on the Pack Horse Library Initiative - what a story that would make!
Yes! How wild, right? I’d never heard of them before, but now I’m captivated.
Same! Thanks for the introduction!
Library’s importance can not be underestimated.
Agreed. A hugely valuable institution.
Joel, this is a bit unrelated, but this is as good a place as any to mention it. I've searched your blog for any review or mention of Tom Mole's fun volume, "The Secret Life of Books." (Sorry for the quotes, but I can't figure out how to italicize here.) I know we've talked about Mole's book before, but your book-loving readers would likely enjoy knowing about it, if they don't already.
Wayne, that’s a great point. It’s got me thinking of doing a post on books about books. Stay tuned!
Our local lending library was at the core of my teen years, had some of my happiest and most expansive times exploring its contents and reading there. It was also a refuge of sorts too.
Wonderful to have that memory. I had a similar time exploring my local library growing up. I remember bouncing between the young adult fiction shelves for Tarzan novels and the folklore and mythology section for Celtic and Norse mythology—my favorite back then.
What a great world to get absorbed in!