Kentucky Rural Librarians Oral History Project

Reading Local: Rural Public Librarians in Kentucky documents the work and expressive culture of rural librarians in Kentucky (primarily in Appalachian counties). The project was conducted in Summer 2024 by Berea College Folklorist Emily Hilliard with research assistance from Berea student Sreekuttan Palakkadan. The interviews focus on the role rural librarians serve as community resources, as well as how their workplaces—rural public libraries—are invaluable community hubs in remote rural areas. This collection includes recorded audio interviews and interview transcripts of 18 Kentucky rural librarians, and 158 related photos taken at 18 different libraries.

The project was supported by Berea College’s Undergraduate Research and Creative Projects program.

Those interviewed are:

Adair County Public Library; Lee Ann Jessee
Bell County Public Library; Jenn Cornette
Bourbon County Public Library; Mark Adler
Casey County Public Library; Sammie Betler
Crittenden County Public Library; Leah Chumbler
Garrard County Bookmobile; Andrew Bishop
Goodnight Memorial Public Library (Simpson County); Jim Peterson
Harlan Memorial Library (Monroe County)
Jackson County Public Library; Ashley Wagers
John L. Street Public Library (Trigg County); Pam Metts
Letcher County Public Library (Blackey); Grace Raglin
Letcher County Public Library (Whitesburg); Alita Vogel
Livingston County Public Library; Tracey Dismore
Madison County Public Library; Brandon Thompson
Marion County Public Library; Jamie Collins
Nicholas County Public Library; Hannah Albright
Rockcastle County Public Library; Pam Chaliff
Wolfe County Public Library; Julie Hendrix