An early “bookmobile” brings books to isolated communities. CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE
In the early years of TVA, the agency launched a program to bring books to the workers and their families in isolated locations.
Enjoy this short video that tells the story of “Books for the People.”
Nancy Proctor, the current TVA Librarian, is featured in the film. She explains the philosophy behind this early effort and the importance of Mary Utopia Rothrock. Ms. Rothrock was chief librarian in the 1930’s and “a bit of a dynamo.”
The video was produced by East Tennessee PBS and funded by BVI.
“Taking the Library to the People”
The Philosopy of TVA and Mary Utopia Rothrock
Best viewed from desktop computers.
To learn more about the early library program, click here for a related article.