Despite recent research by regional historians, Appalachian museums continue to collect and exhibit artifacts that conform to a century-old "canon" romanticizing pioneer life. Within this framework, Appalachian craft objects are considered low-status compared to the material culture of colonial elites exhibited in major urban museums.…

Focuses on librarians' search for their place in American popular culture, 1876-1950. Discussion covers preposterous caricatures, citations to male and female librarians in "Library Literature," fictional librarians, battle of sexes, and a glamorous image as portrayed in films and theater. Annotated list of 18 fictional works is…

Over the last 50 years, American attitudes toward rural areas have shifted from pride and concern to indifference and ultimately neglect. This shift in attitudes has accompanied the decline in rural population. The media tend to portray rural areas in extremes, depicting either poverty, neglect, and despair, or breath-taking scenery and an idyllic…