Letcher Co. Public Libraries Damaged By KY Flood

My name is Kim Michele Richardson, a Kentucky-born native and the New York Times and Los Angeles Times bestselling author of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek series set in Troublesome Creek, Kentucky, the area that was recently impacted by the eastern Kentucky floods and has inspired others to help me raise monies for the libraries suffering from the deadly Kentucky floods. This novel invokes the power of literacy over fear and bigotry and shows how books can unite us all.

On July 27, 2022 this area was hit with catastrophic flooding that was the worst in Kentucky’s history. Thirty-nine Kentuckians perished, including four small children, and many homes and businesses were destroyed. Several libraries and the bookmobile were in the storm’s destructive path. The traumas and grief are immeasurable—the destruction is vast and the painful recovery and rebuilding will be ongoing for a long time.

Libraries play an important role in every society and are vital safe havens, providing refuge for the vulnerable and lost. And like all small-town libraries, the Letcher County Public libraries have always been the lifeline for the underserved—the community treasures that provide vast, multifarious resources to the area—offering knowledge, better futures, and instilling hope and normalcy.

For today, tomorrow and the next, the people of eastern Kentucky will be quietly cleaning up. And despite the exhaustion, grief and unimaginable losses and tragedies, you’ll witness grace, dignity and bravery everywhere you look. When the waters fall, the people rise up to help each other. These Kentuckians will never ask, but they desperately need cleaning supplies, building materials, books and much more, so I am asking for them Please consider helping get these much-needed libraries up and running to restore some normalcy to this traumatized region and its people by donating to the Letcher County Public libraries’ fundraiser if you are able.

All proceeds go directly to the Letcher Co. Public Libraries, who will immediately receive a check from me for all donations to help with their efforts to repair and rebuild the damaged libraries.

Thank you,

Kim Michele Richardson