A Woman to Be Reckoned With

Want to know who is responsible for more books, more libraries, more miles, more moxie (look that up in your Merriam Webster!), more courage, more perseverance and inspiration for readers than almost anyone we know?   

You could admire her because she overcame a major speech challenge---she stuttered.  Or because she was a woman who seemed to have more energy and courage than most men in her time.  Or you could be impressed by her passionate personal and professional commitment to helping people in small towns have access to quality books.   

Lutie Stearns was a true pioneer. Between 1895 and 1914 she traveled tens of thousands of miles in a horse-drawn wagon filled with Little Libraries much like those you are seeing on this website. 

Well, Horace...you should follow Lutie Stearns' example!

Our Heroine

     Be Like Lutie 

 A Great Story!
If your school or public library doesn't have a copy or two of this book, you're missing out on an important part of Library history.  

This particular Free Library happens to have been in a lighthouse. Traveling little libraries were delivered by Miss Lutie Stearns (left) to nearly 1400 locations in Wisconsin between 1895 and 1914. They were delivered to post offices, country stores, homes, schools and other gathering places.