The Works Progress Administration: Bringing Needed Services and Infrastructure

During the Great Depression, President Franklin Roosevelt implemented the Works Progress Administration (WPA) as part of his New Deal reforms. One major initiative of the WPA was the establishment of traveling libraries, known as pack horse librarians, in Kentucky and other states. These librarians, often riding for hours each day, delivered books and magazines to remote areas where access to literature was limited. Through the WPA, millions of Americans were put back to work, providing them with much-needed income and a sense of purpose. Despite criticisms from opponents who viewed government-funded initiatives as socialism, the WPA became one of Roosevelt's most popular and impactful programs, reshaping the nation's infrastructure and providing employment for millions.