“The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek” is inspired by the true story of the Pack Horse Library initiative in 1930s Kentucky, where women like May Stafford rode horses or mules to deliver books to remote Appalachian communities. This program was created during the Great Depression under the Works Progress Administration, led by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, to provide education and entertainment to isolated families who had limited access to libraries due to difficult terrain and poverty.

The Pack Horse Library librarians served thousands of families and schools, braving harsh weather and rugged landscapes to bring books, magazines, and illustrated stories to readers, many of whom were illiterate. Although the program ended in 1943 with the conclusion of the WPA, Kentucky continued to innovate in book delivery with motorized bookmobiles. Today, Kentucky libraries remain vital community hubs, offering free access to learning and cultural resources for people of all backgrounds.