The Lend A Hand Society Book Mission, founded in 1890 by Sarah Brigham, is a small but vital LAH program dedicated to enhancing literacy and promoting a love for reading by making books accessible to underserved communities. Unique for its time, the Book Mission began by sending books to schools, libraries, YMCAs, prisons, and Native American reservations across the country, reaching communities not being served because of their race, religion, or socioeconomic status. Over the years, the Book Mission has shifted from sending old and new books to providing funds for organizations to purchase books for lending.
One of the programs funded by the book mission that harkens back to earlier LAH history is the Cultivator Bookmobile. In the 1930s, Katie Hart, a pioneer of culture and literacy, and one of the first Black female librarians broke barriers as the first librarian of Hertford County, North Carolina, during the Jim Crow era. Through book donations, LAH supported Katie Hart’s efforts to ensure Black communities had access to books despite widespread segregation and discrimination. Today, the Cultivator Bookmobile carries forward that significant legacy, bringing books to underserved communities that lack access to traditional libraries.
Thanks to a 2024 Lend A Hand Society grant, the Cultivator Bookmobile will be able to expand its services, reaching more individuals in need of literary resources. This investment in literacy ensures that books continue to find their way into the hands of eager readers, just as Katie Hart once envisioned.The incredible work of librarians like Katie Hart is part of a much larger story, one that the Black Librarians Project seeks to tell. This initiative shines a light on the contributions of Black women in this field who have shaped the profession despite facing significant obstacles. Their bravery, innovation, and commitment to literacy continue to inspire important programs like the Cultivator Bookmobile and the Lend A Hand Society Book Mission.