Photo: Kimberly Farmer | Unsplash
The primary mission of the 21st Century Packhorse Librarian project is to “distribute quality literature, free of charge, throughout the Blue Ridge Mountains, ensuring that individuals and families – especially in rural and remote areas – have access to great books.” Kirsten Crawford Turner, who started the project, is originally from the area in North devastated by Hurricane Helene in 2024. Turner was desperate to help and decided to emulate the efforts of women in the 1930’s who delivered books to rural residents in hard-to-reach places. She has found that her role goes beyond handing out books to those who want them. She spends most of her time at each event talking to people, and hearing their stories. This is both rewarding and challenging, Turner said. “I get to carry a little bit of their burdens for them, and hear how much bringing books means to them,” she said. Since October, Turner has organized events in nine communities in western North Carolina, and given away more than 9,000 books for free.
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