Works Progress Administration Fayette County Library Project records

Abstract

The Works Progress Administration Fayette County Library project records (1935-1939, undated; 0.3 cubic feet; 1 box, 1 item) comprise newspaper clippings, correspondence, photographs, pamphlets, reports, interviews and statistics, and a scrapbook documenting the works and operation of the WPA's Library Project in Fayette County, Kentucky.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Works Progress Administration Fayette County Library Project records
Date
1935-1939, undated (inclusive)
Extent
0.3 Cubic Feet
Subjects
African Americans -- Kentucky
Bookmobiles.
Libraries and community -- Kentucky -- Fayette County.
Libraries -- Kentucky -- Fayette County
Libraries -- Kentucky.
Library extension.
Public libraries -- Kentucky
Arrangement
Collection arranged into four series: Frances L. Dugan, Fayette County Library Project, Printed materials, amd Photographs.
Finding Aid Author
Processed by Megan Mummey
Preferred Citation
46m29: [identification of item], Works Progress Administration Fayette County Library Project records, 1935-1939, undated, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
Begun in 1938, the Works Progress Administration Fayette County Library Project was sponsored by four agencies: the United States Works Progress Administration; the Fayette Community Council; the Fayette Board of Education and the Lexington Public Library. The purpose of the Project was to circulate books to rural populations in Fayette County through small temporary branches called Book Centers in county schools and churches. The Book Centers were supplied through a "Bookmobile", a trailer attached to a car. Staffed by WPA employees, the centers included locations at Athens High School; David's Fork Baptist Church; Cleveland Pike; Durbin's Tabernacle Baptist Church; Richmond Pike; Shelby School; Jacks Creek Pike; Kenwick School; the Douglass Community Center; and the waiting room of the Fayette County Court. The Douglass Community Center location served the African-American population. The project served books primarily from the Lexington Public Library collection, but also circulated donations from the community. Frances Lathrop Dugan (later Shine) served as the supervising librarian for the circulating library. After running successfully for a year, the project closed in August 1939.
Scope and Content
The Works Progress Administration Fayette County Library project records (1935-1939, undated; 0.3 cubic feet; 1 box, 1 item) comprise newspaper clippings, correspondence, photographs, pamphlets, reports, interviews and statistics, and a scrapbook documenting the works and operation of the WPA's Library Project in Fayette County, Kentucky. Items of note in the collection include various monthly reports giving circulation statistics for different book centers in Fayette County; photographs of library centers in Fayette County; reports indicating the areas where the circulating library was significant such as the black communities in the county; and a transcript of a 1939 radio interview with the project director, Frances L. Dugan.

Restrictions on Access and Use

Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open to researchers by appointment.
Use Restrictions
The physical rights to the materials in this collection are held by the University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.

Contents of the Collection

Frances L. Dugan, 1938-1939, undated

Correspondence, 1938-1938

  • Box 1, folder 1
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"Everybody's Farm Hour" WLW radio interview with Frances L. Dugan on WPA Library Project, [1939] July 15

  • Box 1, folder 2
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Notes on Fayette County Library Project, undated

  • Box 1, folder 3
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Remarks, most likely by Frances L. Dugan, regarding the WPA Library Project, undated

  • Box 1, folder 4
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Fayette County Library Project, 1938-1939, undated

Circulation reports - Fayette County, 1938, undated

  • Box 1, folder 5
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Contact list, undated

  • Box 1, folder 6
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Final inventory results for Fayette County, circa 1939

  • Box 1, folder 7
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Handwritten letters and comment cards for the Fayette County Library Project, 1938

  • Box 1, folder 8
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Library Project procedures, undated

  • Box 1, folder 9
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"Recommendations for the Future Operation of a Library in Fayette County", circa 1939

  • Box 1, folder 10
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"Sponsor's Contribution" report, undated

  • Box 1, folder 11
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"What did the Library Do for the Community", circa 1939

  • Box 1, folder 12
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WPA Library Project monthly reports, 1938, undated

  • Box 1, folder 13
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Printed materials, 1935-1939, undated

American Library Association pamphlets, 1937, 1939

  • Box 1, folder 14
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"Berea College Extension Library report", undated

  • Box 1, folder 15
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Excerpted quotes regarding libraries and libraries in Kentucky, 1935-1939

  • Box 1, folder 16
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"Facts about Public Library Service in Kentucky" fact sheet, State Division of Library Extension, 1937

  • Box 1, folder 17
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Information regarding Libraries in Kentucky, undated

  • Box 1, folder 18
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"Library Facilities in the Kentucky Mountains" statistics, undated

  • Box 1, folder 19
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Newspaper clippings, 1938-1939, undated

  • Box 1, folder 20
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Photographs, circa 1938-1939

Scrapbook, circa 1938-1939

Description of WPA Fayette County Library Project, circa 1938-1939

  • Item 1, page 1
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"Mr. Wilder, Secretary, Fayette Community Council, and the new book trailer"; bookmobile trailer, circa 1938-1939

  • Item 1, page 2
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"Preparing the trailer"; bookmobile trailer, circa 1938-1939

  • Item 1, page 2
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"First loading at rear of Lexington Public Library whose books are circulated"; bookmobile, circa 1938-1939

  • Item 1, page 2
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"Visit to the first health clinic Shelby School"; Women and children in front of bookmobile, circa 1938-1939

  • Item 1, page 2
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"Shelby Clinic learning about the new library"; women and children in front of bookmobile, circa 1938-1939

  • Item 1, page 2
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Newspaper clipping "Library on Wheels will Distribute Volumes Among Rural Book-Lovers of Fayette County", 1938 August 21

  • Item 1, page 3
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"Typical of the Blue Grass churches where centers will be established"; unidentified church, circa 1938-1939

  • Item 1, page 4
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"Talking it over with one of our sponsoring clergeymen"; Men in front of unidentified church, circa 1938-1939

  • Item 1, page 4
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"First day at Athens High School center, Mrs. Wilson (right) first book borrower", circa 1938-1939

  • Item 1, page 4
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Description of the Fayette Community Council, circa 1938-1939

  • Item 1, page 5
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"Shelby Branch"; women and children in front of bookmobile, circa 1938-1939

  • Item 1, page 6
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"Shelby Branch"; Shelby school building, circa 1938-1939

  • Item 1, page 6
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"Durbin's Tabernacle first storytelling hour (a few of the children and the librarian, with puppets"; children and librarian in front of Durbin's Tabernacle Baptist Church, circa 1938-1939

  • Item 1, page 6
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"Fayette Circulating Library" excerpt from letter to the Kenwick School children, circa 1938-1939

  • Item 1, page 7
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"On the Road" bookmobile trailer pulled by car, circa 1938-1939

  • Item 1, page 8
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"David's Fork Branch, Inside and Out"; David's Fork Branch Baptist Church, circa 1938-1939

  • Item 1, page 8
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"More of David's Fork Branch"; inside of David's Fork Branch Baptist Church, circa 1938-1939

  • Item 1, page 9
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"More of David's Fork Branch"; David's Fork Branch Baptist church, circa 1938-1939

  • Item 1, page 9
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"Outside Durbin's Tabernacle"; Durbin's Tabernacle Baptist Church building, circa 1938-1939

  • Item 1, page 10
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"Outside Durbin's Tabernacle"; unidentified man with Durbin's Tabernacle Baptist Church in the distance, circa 1938-1939

  • Item 1, page 10
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"Inside (A very colorful and cozy arrangement on bare benches)"; Interior of Durbin's Tabernacle Baptist Church, circa 1938-1939

  • Item 1, page 10
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"Kenwick School", circa 1938-1939

  • Item 1, page 10
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"A New Kind of Library" description of Fayette County Library Project in Kenwick School Paper, circa 1938-1939

  • Item 1, page 11
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Newspaper clipping "Mrs. Johnston Heads New Library Group", 1938 October 9

  • Item 1, page 12
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Newspaper clipping image "Plenty of Reading Matter", 1939 July 26

  • Item 1, page 13
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Newspaper clipping "Will Address Librarian's Today" image of Frances L. Dugan, 1938 October 21

  • Item 1, page 14
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Newspaper clippings on the Fayette County Library Project, 1938 October-November

  • Item 1, page 16
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Newspaper clippings regarding National Book Week, 1938 November 13-19

  • Item 1, page 17
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Broadside distributed at Douglass School Book Week, 1938 November 13-19

  • Item 1, page 18
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Newspaper clippings regarding Library Project activities, 1938 November-December

  • Item 1, page 20
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Newspaper clippings, 1939 March 12-19

  • Item 1, page 21
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Newspaper clipping "A Library on Wheels Brings the Riches of Literature to Rural Fayette", 1939 March 12

  • Item 1, page 22
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Books stacked up under sign for the Fayette County Free Circulating Library WPA, circa 1938-1939

  • Item 1, page 23
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Newspaper clippings, 1939 January-July

  • Item 1, page 24
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Fayette County Library Project exhibit "A Book for Every Farm's Every Need" at the annual Homemakers-Farm Bureau picnic, 1939 June

  • Item 1, page 25
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Fayette County Library Project exhibit "A Book for Every Farm's Every Need" at the annual Homemakers-Farm Bureau picnic; includes display and sign, 1939 June

  • Item 1, page 26
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Newspaper clippings, 1939 July-August

  • Item 1, page 27-28
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Loose photographs, circa 1938-1939

Durbin's Tabernacle Baptist Church library center and story hour, circa 1938-1939

  • Box 1, folder 21
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Fayette County Library Project exhibit "A Book for Every Farm's Every Need" at the annual Homemakers-Farm Bureau picnic; display and sign, 1939 June

  • Box 1, folder 21
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UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.

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You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.