I’m leading the initiative, Courthouses Reading Across Kentucky & Beyond, and underwriting Little Free Libraries in each of the 120 county courthouses across Kentucky. Kentucky has a rich and unique history of getting books into the hands of those who had none. We’ve led the way in literacy long before other states, producing pioneers who implemented unique projects.

It is a way to honor my history, my Packhorse librarian sisters and their important legacy. Valued more than any monies, award, or prize, has been the witnessing of great acts of kindness—from the thousands of letters I’ve received from folks across the US and abroad—letters that informed me that after reading The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek they were inspired to start book mobiles during the height of the pandemic, and others who wrote they are now buying books for book deserts, and yet more who are donating regularly to food banks, and those who raise money for underserved libraries, and more.

Recently, Appellant and State Supreme court judges from out of state contacted me, asking to help after reading Book Woman of Troublesome Creek. They drove several hours to donate 250 new books to my two Little Free Libraries located inside the Jefferson County Judicial Center. Now they have been inspired to follow and implement a program in Indiana. Another reader from Ohio, Melanie who owns The Cinci Book Bus, brought 240 new books to stock my Little Free Libraries shortly after. Many of my readers have reached out and sent books also.

Now more than ever, literacy accessibility for all is critical. Books can connect us in unexpected and beautiful ways. Those who pass through the courthouse doors are economically oppressed and suffering, so to have the gift of being able to choose a new book for themselves or a child is priceless. This is how books change lives. This is the power of books.

Articles

Indiana Lawyer

Latest News WKMS / NPR

Indiana Justices Delivering Books

Frazier Museum Bridging the Divide

Another important initiative for Kim Michele was purchasing a gravestone in 2023 for a prolific Kentucky educator and pioneer of literacy. Learn of Cora Wilson Stewart’s great contributions and read about it in Kentucky Humanities Magazine.

In 2024 Kim Michele nominated the Packhorse Librarians for a State Historical Marker to be placed in Eastern Kentucky and was granted the marker which after 90 years will be installed in 2025

Kim Michele built a Writers Residency and Provides Free ScholArships

To donate books to Courthouses Reading Across Kentucky & Beyond, below are the addresses of the courthouses. Note some judges preside over two or three counties and some courthouses have 2 LFLs, one for adult courts & one for Family Courts. Needed all genres for all Ages. The list will be updated reguarly.

Fayette Circuit Courthouse ATTN: Judge Brislin, Courthouses Reading Across Kentucky, 120 N Limestone St Lexington, KY 40507

Bullitt County Judicial Center, Judge Elise Spainhour
250 Frank E. Simon Ave.
Shepherdsville, KY 40165

Court Clerk Kathryn (Kem) Marshall, Franklin County Courthouse, 222 St. Clair Street, Frankfort, KY  40601

Hon. Casey Cheesman FAMILY COURT JUDGE Courthouses Reading Across Kentucky 224 South Main Street Williamstown, KY. 41097

Melissa Cardwell Butler County Courthouse Courthouses Reading Across Kentucky 110 N. Main St, Morgantown KY 42261

Magoffin Judicial Center ATTN: Angela Short Courthouses Reading Across Kentucky 100 Maple Street, Salyersville, Kentucky 40465

Bracken County Judicial Center, Judge Schumacher Courthouses Reading Across Kentucky 132 West Miami Street Brooksville, Ky 41004 

Fleming County Judicial Center, Judge Schumacher Courthouses Reading Across Kentucky 101 N. Main Cross St. Flemingsburg, KY 41041

Mason County Justice Center, Judge SchumacherCourthouses Reading Across Kentucky 100 West Third Street Maysville, Ky 41056

Wendy Herndon Case Manager, Judge Brandi Rogers Courthouses Reading Across Kentucky 5th Circuit Family Court 208 S Main St Marion, KY  42064

Karen Cammack Judicial Administration Specialist Courthouses Reading Across Kentucky Shelby Co Judicial Center 401 Main Street Shelbyville, Ky 40065

Hopkins Circuit Court Judge Susan Wesley McClure Courthouses Reading Across Kentucky 120 East Center Street Madisonville, KY 42431

Rockcastle County Courthouse Annex Circuit Court Clerk, Eliza Jane York Courthouses Reading Across Kentucky 205 E. Main St Room 102 Mt. Vernon, KY 40456

Susan Schultz Gibson Judge, Jefferson County Judicial Center 700 W Jefferson St, Courthouses Reading Across Kentucky Louisville, KY 40202