The delivery of proper library services to rural populations has always been a difficult prospect. Scarce funds, scattered populations, and lack of resources combine to make a situation in which even the best library staff are hard pressed to meet the needs of their patrons. But perhaps the greatest challenge of all for rural libraries is attracting, training, and maintaining those dedicated staff members who will meet and overcome these obstacles.
Perhaps the most famous rural library experts in American history were the Pack Horse Librarians of the early 20th Century. This program arose to meet the needs of those Appalachian residents who had no local library or means of gaining access to books or educational materials. The mostly female staff who answered the call truly believed in the value of reading and undertook their often arduous task to deliver library materials and services to the most remote of patrons (Boyd, 2007). Many of those initially interested in, and supportive of, the program were those already engaged in literary clubs. A ready pool of engaged and eager bibliophiles was ready to meet the demands of the task. Those women chosen for the job were expected to have rudimentary library skills, but were also to be enthusiastic as well as friendly and ready to serve as ambassadors for the library (Boyd, 2007). These same expectations hold true in rural libraries today, as staff are known for their readiness to serve, despite often not holding traditional library credentials. Many of those called to serve still arise from active library users and book lovers, who come to the job as talented and energetic neophytes rather than formally schooled information professionals. The challenge becomes to train those already on the front lines as well as find a way to attract existing information professionals into the rural library setting.
Perhaps the most famous rural library experts in American history were the Pack Horse Librarians of the early 20th Century. This program arose to meet the needs of those Appalachian residents who had no local library or means of gaining access to books or educational materials. The mostly female staff who answered the call truly believed in the value of reading and undertook their often arduous task to deliver library materials and services to the most remote of patrons (Boyd, 2007). Many of those initially interested in, and supportive of, the program were those already engaged in literary clubs. A ready pool of engaged and eager bibliophiles was ready to meet the demands of the task. Those women chosen for the job were expected to have rudimentary library skills, but were also to be enthusiastic as well as friendly and ready to serve as ambassadors for the library (Boyd, 2007). These same expectations hold true in rural libraries today, as staff are known for their readiness to serve, despite often not holding traditional library credentials. Many of those called to serve still arise from active library users and book lovers, who come to the job as talented and energetic neophytes rather than formally schooled information professionals. The challenge becomes to train those already on the front lines as well as find a way to attract existing information professionals into the rural library setting.
Despite the incredible technological advances of the last century, providing library service to rural populations is still difficult, as is recruiting the special individuals who will fill the needs of their patrons. Those persons already trained and working as librarians will often not want to relocate to remote areas. Small rural libraries cannot always offer the same remuneration as urban systems, nor the active lifestyles that are often found in more metropolitan areas (Wood, 2008).
Additionally, small library systems are unable to provide the benefits that attract employees to their larger brethren. Limited staff means limited opportunities for vacation, sick leave, in-house support, technical services, and specialized expert assistance that can be found in university or urban libraries (Rexon, 2005).
The lack of formal training found in many rural libraries is a bit of a self fulfilling prophecy. As Dr. Vavrek has pointed out, some small systems do not understand the value of formal training, and so do not pay salaries commensurate with the investment of an advanced library degree (Rexon, 2005). The problems of limited funds along with an under appreciation of formal skills combine to make the move to small rural libraries unattractive to many information professionals.
But not all is lost. Small rural systems have benefits that cannot be offered in large urban areas. Those seeking new and exciting challenges will be drawn to rural libraries for the chance to take on a variety of roles and try out new positions within the library. While large library systems tend to be quite regimented and bureaucratic, smaller libraries by necessity must allow their employees to wear many hats and try their hands in a variety of tasks (Wood, 2007).
Others may be attracted to the rural lifestyle for the chance to escape the bustle of city life and set down roots in mainstream America. The cost of homes and land in rural areas is often significantly lower than will be found cities, and could allow for a higher standard of living, despite lower wages (Wood, 2007).
Some systems look to the Pack Horse solution, in which local people are brought in and trained the rudiments of the job (Boyd, 2007). Their experience with the community in question, combined with an enthusiastic attitude, is often enough to their population without having the standard training expected in mainstream library systems.
Just as all libraries seek to adapt to the changing challenges of a digital age, small libraries continue to struggle with the task of attracting, training, and retaining qualified staff, despite clear limitations in funding and logistics. According to some estimates, these small public institutions account for nearly 80% of all the libraries in the United States (Rexon, 2005). Such huge numbers of libraries must find innovative ways to bring in the right people for the tasks ahead. Just like the Pack Horse librarians of the past, it will take special people to address the challenges of the present.
Boyd, D. C. (2007). The Book Women of Kentucky: The WPA Pack Horse Library Project, 1936-1943. Libraries & the Cultural Record , 42 (2), 111-128.
Rexon, D. (2005). Proper Care and Feeding of the Endangered Species: Curator Bbiliothecae Rusticae (The Rural Librarian). Rural Libraries , 25 (5), 59-81.
Wood, E. (2008). When Distance Gets in the Way: Barriers to Recruitment in Rural and Remote Libraries. Feliciter , 54 (2), 54-56.
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