I’m leading the initiative, Courthouses Reading Across Kentucky & Beyond, and underwriting Little Free Libraries in each of the 120 county courthouses across Kentucky. Kentucky has a rich and unique history of getting books into the hands of those who had none. We’ve led the way in literacy long before other states, producing pioneers who implemented unique projects.
It is a way to honor my history, my Packhorse librarian sisters and their important legacy. Valued more than any monies, award, or prize, has been the witnessing of great acts of kindness—from the thousands of letters I’ve received from folks across the US and abroad—letters that informed me that after reading The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek they were inspired to start book mobiles during the height of the pandemic, and others who wrote they are now buying books for book deserts, and yet more who are donating regularly to food banks, and those who raise money for underserved libraries, and more.
Recently, Appellant and State Supreme court judges from out of state contacted me, asking to help after reading Book Woman of Troublesome Creek. They drove several hours to donate 250 new books to my two Little Free Libraries located inside the Jefferson County Judicial Center. Now they have been inspired to follow and implement a program in Indiana. Another reader from Ohio, Melanie who owns The Cinci Book Bus, brought 240 new books to stock my Little Free Libraries shortly after. Many of my readers have reached out and sent books also.
Now more than ever, literacy accessibility for all is critical. Books can connect us in unexpected and beautiful ways. Those who pass through the courthouse doors are economically oppressed and suffering, so to have the gift of being able to choose a new book for themselves or a child is priceless. This is how books change lives. This is the power of books.
Articles
Princeton Daily Clarion
Indiana Lawyer
Latest News WKMS / NPR
Indiana Justices Delivering Books
Frazier Museum Bridging the Divide
In 2020 Kim Michele donated 10k to Blackey Library, Letcher Co. Kentucky for remodeling the library.
During the 2022 floods in Eastern Kentucky, Kim Michele raised over $32,000 and organized and led a Movement for donations of more than one-hundred thousands books to Eastern KY to help rebuild destroyed and damaged libraries.
Another important initiative for Kim Michele was purchasing a gravestone in 2023 for a prolific Kentucky educator and pioneer of literacy. Learn of Cora Wilson Stewart’s great contributions and read about it in Kentucky Humanities Magazine.
In 2024 Kim Michele nominated the Packhorse Librarians for a State Historical Marker to be placed in Eastern Kentucky and was granted the marker which after 90 years will be installed in 2025
Kim Michele built a Writers Residency and Provides Free ScholArships
Shy Rabbit and Courthouses Reading Across Kentucky & Beyond