Dr. Charles D. Churchwell (1926-2018): Second African American to Earn a Ph.D. in Library Science from the University of Illinois

Dr. Charles Darrett Churchwell was the second African American to receive a Ph.D. in library science from the University of Illinois. A native of Dunnellon, Florida, Dr. Churchwell was born on Sunday, November 7, 1926 to John Dozier Churchwell and Leeannah Delaughter Churchwell. Dr. Churchwell was also a veteran of the United States Army. After the military, he attended Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, graduating in 1952 with a bachelor's degree in mathematics. Dr. Churchwell then attended the Atlanta University Library School (Clark-Atlanta University), receiving his MLS (Master of Library Science) in 1953. He earned his doctorate (Ph.D.) in library science from the University of Illinois in 1966.

During his career, Dr. Churchwell held several positions in libraries across the country, including Alabama State College (Alabama State University), Prairie View A & M University, the New York Public Library, and the University of Illinois before becoming the first African American to serve as Assistant Director of Public Services & Associate Professor at the University of Houston. He remained at the University of Houston until 1970. That same year, Dr. Churchwell became the director of the Miami University of Ohio's libraries, serving for four years. Afterwards, he served as director of the Brown University Library, the dean of libraries at Washington University in St. Louis, and a library science professor at Wayne State University. His final years of librarianship were spent as the dean of the library science program at Clark-Atlanta University.  He retired in 1999.

Although Dr. Carla Hayden is the first African American to serve as Librarian of Congress, she was not the first African American to be considered for the job. When Librarian of Congress Lawrence Quincy Mumford (L. Quincy Mumford) retired from the Library of Congress in 1974, Dr. Churchwell was among several candidates recommended by the American Library Association Executive Board as Mumford's replacement. Even though Churchwell wasn't selected for the position, the fact that he was recommended is an accomplishment in and of itself.

Dr. Churchwell wrote several articles, contributed chapters to books on library science, and was the author of The Shaping of American Library Education.  He also testified before the Subcommittee on Education, Arts, and Humanities of the United States Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources in October 1979 during hearings on the Higher Education Amendments of 1979 and before the Subcommittee on Post Secondary Education of the United States House of Representatives' Committee on Education and Labor in September 1985 during hearings on the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act.

Dr. Churchwell passed away in 2018 at the age of 91 in St. Louis, Missouri.

Some works of Dr. Churchwell:

Churchwell, Charles D. "The Evolution of the Academic Research Library in the 1960s." College & Research Libraries 68.2 (Mar. 2007): 104-105. Print.

Churchwell, Charles. "Racial Integration at the University of Houston: A Personal Perspective II." Untold Stories: Civil Rights, Libraries, and Black Librarianship. Ed. John Mark Tucker. Champaign: Board of Trustees of U of Illinois, 1998. 136-140. Print.

Churchwell, Charles D. "A Historical Introduction to Library Education: Problems and Progress to 1951 (Book Review)." College & Research Libraries 38.1 (Jan. 1977): 74-75. Print.

Churchwell, Charles D. The Shaping of American Library Education. Chicago: American Library Association, 1974. Print.

Churchwell, Charles D. "Education for Librarianship in the United States: Some Factors Which Influence Its Development between 1919 and 1936." Diss. U of Illinois, 1966. Print.

Update 6/27.2020:

*Note: The first African American to receive a doctorate in library science from the University of Illinois was Dr. Jessie Carney Smith. Dr. Smith received her Ph.D. in 1964.  Many thanks to Jamillah Gabriel for bringing this to my attention!!

Sources: Figa, Elizabeth and Macpherson, Janet. "Brown v. Board of Education and Its Effect on Libraries and Library and Information Science Education: Mapping and Storytelling a Historical Journey  Fifty Years in the Making."  Unfinished Business: Race, Equity, and Diversity in Library and Information Science Education. Ed. Maurice B. Wheeler. Lanham: Scarecrow, 2005. 21. Print. ; Holley, Edward G. "Racial Integration at the University of Houston: A Personal Perspective I."  and Churchwell, Charles. "Racial Integration at the University of Houston: A Personal Perspective II." Untold Stories: Civil Rights, Libraries, and Black Librarianship. Ed. John Mark Tucker. Champaign: Board of Trustees of U of Illinois, 1998. 129-140. Print. ; Jordan, Casper LeRoy and Josey, E.J. "A Chronology of Events in Black Librarianship." Handbook of Black Librarianship. Ed. E.J. Josey and Marva DeLoach. 2nd ed. Lanham: Scarecrow, 2000. 12, 15. Print. ; "Charles D. Churchwell Obituary." A Guide to African American Studies, Washington University in St. Louis. 14 Feb. 2020. Web. 30 May 2020. ; United States Congress Senate. Committee on Labor and Human Resources. Subcommittee on Education, Arts, and the Humanities. Higher Education Amendments of 1979: Hearings before the Subcommittee on Education, Arts, and the Humanities of the Committee on Labor and Human Resources, United States Senate: Ninety-Sixth Congress, First Session on S. 1839 to Extend the Higher Education Act of 1965, and for Other Purposes: October 10, 11, 23, 25, and November 9, 1979, Part 2. Washington: U.S. G.P.O., 1980. Print. ; United States Congress House. Committee on Education and Labor. Subcommittee on Post Secondary Education. Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act: Title II (College Libraries); Title VI (International Education); Title VIII (Cooperative Education); Title X (F.I.P.S.E.); Title XI (Urban Grant Universities): Hearings before the Subcommittee on Post Secondary Education of the Committee on Education and Labor, House of Representatives, Ninety-Ninth Congress, First Session: Hearings Held in Washington, DC, September 6 and 10, 1985. Volume 8. Washington: U.S. G.P.O., 1986. Print. ; "SWIDC Meets." The Prairie View Standard 45.4 (Dec. 1954): 3. PDF file. ; "Dr. Churchwell Nominated." The Miamian 3.31 (May 1974): 1. Digital file. ; Pearson, Lois R. "Outside Consultant's Plan Causes Churchwell to Resign from Washington U. Libraries." American Libraries 18 (Mar. 1987): 164. Print. ; "Charles D. Churchwell." The History Makers. The History Makers, 16 Oct. 2007. Web. 1 June 2020. "American Council on Education Fellows." Wright State University Research News 3.10 (Apr. 1971): 3. PDF file.

Andrew Venable, Jr. (1944-2016): First African American Director of the Cleveland Public Library

Andrew Venable, Jr., a native of Staunton, Virginia, was the first African American director of the Cleveland Public Library in Cleveland, Ohio. He was born on November 11, 1944 to Andrew and Catherine Venable. Andrew Venable, Jr. was a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School (now Booker T. Washington Community Center) in Staunton, Virginia; a graduate of Virginia State University (formerly Virginia State College) in Petersburg, Virginia; and a graduate of the Case Western Reserve University School of Library Science (Note: In 1981 the library school's name was changed to the Matthew A. Baxter School of Information and Library Science; the library science program was in operation from 1903 until 1986).

Mr. Venable began his library career at the Cleveland Public Library in Cleveland, Ohio in 1970. He remained there for 13 years. In 1983, Mr. Venable left the Cleveland Public Library to become the director of the East Cleveland Public Library. He served there for five years. After leaving the East Cleveland Public Library, Mr. Venable served as the director of the Gary Public Library in Gary, Indiana from 1988 until 1992. After his tenure at the Gary Public Library, Mr. Venable became library director at the Ivy Tech Community College-Northwest Region (the college is also known as Ivy Tech). He served there from 1992 until 1993.

In 1993, Mr. Venable left Indiana and headed east to Washington, D.C. where he held the position of Deputy Director at the D.C. Public Library. Four years later, Mr. Venable returned to the place where he began his library career -- The Cleveland Public Library. He served as deputy director (1997-1999) and then director (1999-2008). He retired in 2008.

Andrew Venable, Jr. passed away on May 5, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Highlights of Andrew Venable Jr.'s Career:

First African American director of the Cleveland Public Library

Named Librarian of the Year by the Ohio Library Council in 2001

Instrumental in the creation of the Greater Access Library Card

Awarded the Key to the City of Cleveland in 2008

Credited with describing public libraries as "The Peoples' University"

Awarded an honorary doctorate from Cleveland State University in 2007

A member of the fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha


Sources: Oder, Norman. "Q & A with Cleveland's Andrew Venable." Libraryjournal.com. Library Journal. 15 May 2008. Web. 10 Dec. 2010. ; "Andrew Venable Appointed Director of CPL." PR Newswire.com. PR Newswire, 9 June 1999. Web. 20 Dec. 2010. ; Henson, Jane E. E. Libraries--Link to Learning. Final Report on the Indiana Governor's Conference on Libraries and Information Services (2nd, Indianapolis, Indiana, November 16-18, 1990). Indianapolis: State of Indiana, 1990. Print. ; Hanson, Debbie. "Andrew Venable: Leading the Peoples' University." ClevelandSeniors.com, N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2010. ; "Reading Recruiter Gary Library Chief Hustles to Bring in Customers." Post-Tribune (Ind.) 18 Feb. 1990. Highbeam Research. Web. 10 Dec. 2010. ; "City of Gary Says Farewell as Old Friend Tries Something New." Post-Tribune (Ind.) 6 Oct. 1993. Highbeam Research. Web. 2 Feb. 2011. ; "Venable Named Director of Cleveland Public Library." American Libraries. American Library Association, 14 June 1999. Web. 8 Jan. 2017. "Andrew Venable (1944-2016), Cleveland Library Director." Cleveland Public Library Archives. 9 May 2016. Web. 8 Jan. 2017. ; Kuehner, John C. "Andrew A. Venable Jr. Cleveland Public Library Leader Who Coined the Term 'The Peoples University': Black History Month." The Plain Dealer (Cleveland, Ohio) 13 Feb. 2013. Web. 8 Jan. 2017. ; "Cleveland Public Library." Encyclopedia of Cleveland History. Case Western Reserve University. 23 Sept. 2004. Web. 8 Jan. 2017. ; Marco, Guy A. "Cleveland Public Library." The American Public Library Handbook. Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited, 2012. 94. Print. ; "The Schools of CRWU." University Archives. Case Western Reserve University. 2009. Web. 8 Jan. 2017. ; "Mr. Andrew Venable, Jr. (Obituary)." efboyd.com. E.F. Boyd & Son Funeral Home and Crematory. 2016. Web. 8 Jan. 2017. ; "Cleveland Public Library to Open Circulating eBook Collection." Independent Publisher (Online). Jenkins Publishing Group, n.d. Web. 8 Jan. 2017. ; Rogers, Michael, and Norman Oder. "Venable Named Cleveland Director." Library Journal 124.12 (Jul. 1999): 18. Print. ; Gray, Lisa. "Balancing the Books: Budget Cuts Strike Deep at the D.C. Public Library." Washington City Paper (Washington, D.C.) 17 Feb . 1995. Web. 8 Jan. 2017. ; "Carnegie's Commemorative Grants to Urban Public Libraries." Carnegie.org. Carnegie Corporation of New York, 10 June 1999. Web. 8 Jan. 2017. ; Albanese, Andrew Richard. "Culture Keepers: ALA's Black Caucus Continues to Make a Critical Difference in Library Services."  Libraryjournal.com. Library Journal. 15 Sept. 2002. Web. 8 Jan. 2017.

Dr. Carla D. Hayden: The First African American Librarian of Congress

A remarkable moment in library history!!

On Wednesday, September 14, 2016, Dr. Carla D. Hayden was sworn in as the 14th Librarian of Congress by Supreme Court Justice John Roberts, Jr.  The ceremony was broadcast live on the Library of Congress's YouTube channel.

Members of the United States Congress who spoke during the ceremony included Representative Paul Ryan (Speaker of the House), Senator Roy D. Blunt (Chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration), and Senator Barbara A. Mikulski.


Some facts about Dr. Hayden:

The first African American to serve as the Librarian of Congress.

The first woman to serve as the Librarian of Congress.

Nominated for the position of Librarian of Congress by President Barack Obama, the first African American President of the United States.

President of the American Library Association, 2003-2004.

Served as director of the Enoch Pratt Library in Baltimore, Maryland from 1993-2016.

Received her library science education at the University of Chicago Graduate Library School.

Worked at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago and at the Chicago Public Library in the 1970s and 1980s.

Taught library science at the University of Pittsburgh.

Library Journal's Librarian of the Year in 1995.

In 1992, Dr. Hayden edited Ventures into Cultures: A Resource Book of Multicultural Materials and Programs. 

Timeline of Dr. Hayden's journey to the Library of Congress:

February 24, 2016  --  Dr. Hayden Nominated by President Barack Obama

April 20, 2016  --  Confirmation Hearing Held for Dr. Hayden

July 13, 2016 -- Dr. Hayden Confirmed 

September 14, 2016 -- Dr. Hayden sworn in as Librarian of Congress

Transcripts of Dr. Hayden's confirmation hearing and swearing-in ceremony:


The transcript of the confirmation hearing (click on the title below): 

United States Congress. Senate. Committee on Rules and Administration. Nomination of Dr. Carla D. Hayden, to Be Librarian of Congress: Hearing Before the Committee on Rules and Administration, Congress of the United States, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, Second Session, April 20, 2016. Washington : G.P.O., 2016. PDF File.


The transcript of Dr. Hayden's remarks from the swearing-in ceremony can be accessed by clicking here: 

Remarks by Carla Hayden, 14th Librarian of Congress: Swearing-In Ceremony, September 14, 2016. [Washington, D.C.] : Library of Congress, 2016. PDF.

Black Caucus of the American Library Association Newsletter:

The Summer 2016 issue of the Black Caucus of the American Library Association Newsletter features Dr. Hayden on the cover as well as some pieces written about her (see pages 42-48):

http://bcala.org/Summer2016/BCALA_Summer2016.html

Update 10/04/2016: 

The October 2016 issue of Essence features a brief paragraph on Dr. Hayden:

"History Maker." Essence 47.6 (Oct. 2016): 86. Print.

Also, the September/October 2016 issue of Library of Congress Magazine features an interview of Dr. Hayden in which she discusses what she hopes to accomplish as the new Librarian of Congress:

"The 14th Librarian of Congress." Library of Congress Magazine 5.5 (Sept./Oct. 2016): 2-3. PDF File.

Update 10/08/2016:

On September 19, 2016, Dr. Hayden was interviewed by Jeffrey Brown on PBS Newshour:

"The New Librarian of Congress on the Value of Free Information"
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/new-librarian-congress-value-free-information/

Update 10/25/2016:

The October 15, 2016 issue of Library Journal features an article about Dr. Hayden:

Schwartz, Meredith. "Librarian of the People: The New Librarian of Congress Sets an Ambitious Agenda and a New Tone." Library Journal 141.17 (Oct. 2016): 20-22. Print.

Update 10/31/2016:

The Nov./Dec. 2016 issue of American Libraries features an article about Dr. Hayden:

Landgraf, Greg. "America's Librarian: Carla Hayden Plans to Continue Her Career-Long Focus on Access and Technology as Librarian of Congress." American Libraries 47.11/12 (Nov./Dec. 2016): 40-44. Print.

Update 11/03/2016:

Related articles:

Page, Susan. "Carla Hayden Becomes First Woman, First Black to Lead Library of Congress." USA Today 14 Sept. 2016. Web. 3 Nov. 2016.

Woods, Baynard. "Carla Hayden: New Librarian of Congress Makes History, with an Eye on the Future." The Guardian 15 Sept. 2016. Web. 3 Nov. 2016.

Darnton, Robert. "The New Hillary Library?" The New York Review of Books 27 Oct. 2016. Web. 3 Nov. 2016. 

McGlone, Peggy. "'Rock Star' Baltimore Librarian Makes History at Library of Congress." Washington Post 14 Sept. 2016. Web. 3 Nov. 2016.

Update 11/14/2016:

Dr. Hayden is featured on a Library of Congress webcast reading to children at the Library of Congress Young Readers Center:

http://www.loc.gov/today/cyberlc/feature_wdesc.php?rec=7464

Update 12/05/2016:

A photograph of Dr. Hayden being sworn in as the Librarian of Congress is on page 24 of the November/December 2016 issue of Library of Congress Magazine:

"Around the Library." Library of Congress Magazine 5.6 (Nov./Dec. 2016): 24. PDF File.

Update 1/14/2017:

A photograph of Dr. Hayden and singer Smokey Robinson is on page 24 of the January/February 2017 issue of Library of Congress Magazine:

"Around the Library." Library of Congress Magazine 6.1 (Jan./Feb. 2017): 24. PDF File.

Dr. Hayden was also interviewed by Shannon Maughan for Publishers Weekly:

Maughan, Shannon. "PW Talks with Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden." Publishers Weekly 16 Dec. 2016. Web. 14 Jan. 2017.

Update 2/01/2017:

Cox, Ana Marie. "Carla Hayden Thinks Libraries Are a Key to Freedom." New York Times Magazine 22 Jan. 2017: MM66. Print.

Update 2/04/2017:

Daliyah Marie Arana, a four-year-old from Georgia, visited with Dr. Hayden at the Library of Congress and served as its first "Librarian for the Day":

https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2017/01/17/newsmaker-daliyah-marie-arana/

Update 2/16/2017:

Dr. Hayden was interviewed by Lottie L. Joiner for the Fall 2016 issue of Crisis:

Joiner, Lottie L. "The Accidental Librarian: Carla Hayden is the First Woman and First African American to Head the Library of Congress." Crisis 123.4 (Fall 2016): 22-25. Print.

Note: Crisis is the journal of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and was founded by W.E.B. DuBois in 1910.

Update 2/26/2017:

Dr. Hayden was interviewed by Sarah Larson for the New Yorker:

Larson, Sarah. "The Librarian Congress and the Greatness of Humility: The Values of Dr. Carla Hayden, the First Woman and the First of Color in the Position, Can Be Seen in Every Aspect of the Institution She Runs." The New Yorker 19 Feb. 2017. Web. 23 Feb. 2017.

http://www.newyorker.com/culture/sarah-larson/the-librarian-of-congress-and-the-greatness-of-humility

Update 03/26/2017:

Dr. Hayden will be a part of the 20th Anniversary Celebration of the Spectrum Scholarship Program: 

"Dr. Carla Hayden to Kick Off Spectrum 20th Anniversary Celebration at ALA Annual Conference." ALA News 20 Mar. 2017. Web. 26 Mar. 2017.

http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2017/03/dr-carla-hayden-kick-spectrum-20th-anniversary-celebration-ala-annual



Sources: Pelosi, Nancy. Acceptance letter for the United for Libraries Award and an endorsement of Carla Hayden for Librarian of Congress. 2016 May 2. Letter. ; Fandos, Nicholas and Michael Shear. “Privacy Advocate is Choice to Head the Librarian of Congress.” New York Times (New York ed.). 25 Feb. 2016: A12. Print. ; Fandos, Nicholas. “Library of Congress Nominee Gets Senate Hearing.” New York Times (New York ed.). 21 Apr. 2016: A18. Print. ; Campbell, Colin. “Hayden Glides through Senate Confirmation Hearing to Lead Library of Congress.” Baltimore Sun 20 Apr. 2016. Web. 12 May 2016. ; McGlone, Peggy. “Librarian of Congress Nominee Carla D. Hayden to Testify before Senate.” Washington Post 20 Apr. 2016. Web. 12 May 2016. ; Duner, Alex. “Can Carla Hayden Reinvent the Library of Congress?” U.S News & World Report 25 Mar. 2016. Web. 12 May 2016. ; Peet, Lisa. “President Obama Announces Intent to Nominate Carla D. Hayden as Librarian of Congress.” Library Journal 26 Feb. 2016. Web. 12 May 2016. ; Gravatt, Nancy. “‘The President Could Not Have Made a Better Choice’”: ALA Comments on the Pending Nomination of Dr. Carla Hayden for Librarian of Congress.” ALA News 24 Feb. 2016. Web. 12 May 2016. ; Clark, Larra. “ALA Past President Receives Warm Senate Welcome.” ALA Dispatch 20 Apr. 2016. Web. 12 May 2016. ; Price, Gary. “Librarian of Congress: Carla Hayden’s Senate Confirmation Hearing Scheduled for Next Week.” INFOdocket 14 Apr. 2016. Web. 12 May 2016. ; Trujillo, Mario. “Obama Nominates First Black, Female Librarian of Congress.” The Hill 24 Feb. 2016. Web. 12 May 2016. ; Kenney, Brian. “The Case for Carla Hayden: An Experienced Library Leader is Exactly What the Library of Congress Needs.” Publishers Weekly 263.20 (May 16, 2016): 16-17. Print. ; Connley, Courtney. “President Obama Nominates First African American to Head Library of Congress.” Black Enterprise 25 Feb. 2016. Web. 28 May 2016. ; “Carla Hayden First African American to Be Nominated to Head U.S. Library of Congress.” Caribbean Current 25 Feb. 2016. Web. 28 May 2016 ; Peet, Lisa. "Carla D. Hayden Confirmed as 14th Librarian of Congress by Wide Margin." Library Journal 13 July 2016. Web. 15 Sept. 2016 ; Peet, Lisa. "Carla Hayden Blazes Trail as First Woman, First African American Librarian of Congress." Library Journal 15 Sept. 2016. Web. 15 Sept. 2016. ; "Save the Date: Library Career Expo Coming March 6th." The Wednesday Word: News from the Indiana State Library 13 Jan. 2010. Web. 15 Sept. 2016. ; "Registration Closes Tomorrow for Library Career Expo." The Wednesday Word: News from the Indiana State Library 3 Mar. 2010. Web. 15 Sept. 2016. ; "Carla Hayden Elected New American Library Association President." Jet 101.23 (2002): 34-35. Print. ; Fandos, Nicholas. "New Librarian of Congress Offers History Lesson in Her Own Right." New York Times 15 Sept. 2016: A13. Print. ; "President Obama Announces His Intent to Nominate Carla D. Hayden as Librarian of Congress." Whitehouse.gov, 24 Feb. 2016. Web. 3 Oct. 2016. ; Ventures into Cultures: A Resource Book of Multicultural Materials and Programs. Ed. Carla D. Hayden. Chicago: American Library Association, 1992. Print. ; United States Congress. Senate. Committee on Rules and Administration. Nomination of Dr. Carla D. Hayden, to Be Librarian of Congress: Hearing Before the Committee on Rules and Administration, Congress of the United States, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, Second Session, April 20, 2016. Washington : G.P.O., 2016. Print. ; Remarks by Carla Hayden, 14th Librarian of Congress: Swearing-In Ceremony, September 14, 2016. [Washington, D.C] : Library of Congress, 2016. PDF. ; "History Maker." Essence 47.6 (Oct. 2016): 86. Print. ;  "The 14th Librarian of Congress." Library of Congress Magazine 5.5 (Sept./Oct. 2016): 2-3. PDF File. ; Schwartz, Meredith. "Librarian of the People: The New Librarian of Congress Sets an Ambitious Agenda and a New Tone." Library Journal 141.17 (Oct. 2016): 20-22. Print. ; Landgraf, Greg. "America's Librarian: Carla Hayden Plans to Continue Her Career-Long Focus on Access and Technology as Librarian of Congress." American Libraries 47.11/12 (Nov./Dec. 2016): 40-44. Print. ; Darnton, Robert. "The New Hillary Library?" The New York Review of Books 27 Oct. 2016. Web. 3 Nov. 2016. ; Page, Susan. "Carla Hayden Becomes First Woman, First Black to Lead Library of Congress." USA Today 14 Sept. 2016. Web. 3 Nov. 2016. ; McGlone, Peggy. "'Rock Star' Baltimore Librarian Makes History at Library of Congress." Washington Post 14 Sept. 2016. Web. 3 Nov. 2016. ; Woods, Baynard. "Carla Hayden: New Librarian of Congress Makes History, with an Eye on the Future." The Guardian 15 Sept. 2016. Web. 3 Nov. 2016. ; Vercelletto, Christina. "Up Front: The Power of Purpose: SLJ Summit Attendees Got a Fresh Perspective, New Energy, and Actionable Ideas." School Library Journal 69.11 (Nov. 2016): 12-14. Print. Staino, Rocco. "Carla Hayden Headlines the 2016 National Book Festival." School Library Journal 3 Oct. 2016. Web. 14 Nov. 2016. ; Peet, Lisa. "Hayden, Marx in Conversation at NYPL." Library Journal 8 Nov. 2016. Web. 14 Nov. 2016. ; Davenport, Anne Azzi. "The New Librarian-in-Chief Picks Her Favorite Children's Book." PBS NewsHour: Art Beat 20 Sept. 2016. Web. 14 Nov. 2016. ; Gross, Daniel A. "Carla Hayden Takes Charge of the World's Largest Library." The New Yorker 20 Sept. 2016. Web. 14 Nov. 2016. ; Begley, Sarah. "10 Questions with Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden." Time 15 Sept. 2016. Web. 14 Nov. 2016. ; "Around the Library." Library of Congress Magazine 5.6 (Nov./Dec. 2016): 24. PDF File. ; "Around the Library." Library of Congress Magazine 6.1 (Jan./Feb. 2017): 24. PDF File. ; Maughan, Shannon. "PW Talks with Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden." Publishers Weekly 16 Dec. 2016. Web. 14 Jan. 2017. ; Cox, Ana Marie. "Carla Hayden Thinks Libraries Are a Key to Freedom." New York Times Magazine 22 Jan. 2016: MM66. Print. ; Joiner, Lottie L. "The Accidental Librarian: Carla Hayden is the First Woman and First African American to Head the Library of Congress." Crisis 123.4 (Fall 2016): 22-25. Print. ; "Obama to Nominate Hayden as Librarian of Congress." American Libraries 47.5 (May 2016): 10. Print. ; Larson, Sarah. "The Librarian Congress and the Greatness of Humility: The Values of Dr. Carla Hayden, the First Woman and the First of Color in the Position, Can Be Seen in Every Aspect of the Institution She Runs." The New Yorker 19 Feb. 2017. Web. 23. Feb. 2017. ; "Dr. Carla Hayden to Kick Off Spectrum 20th Anniversary Celebration at ALA Annual Conference." ALA News 20 Mar. 2017. Web. 26 Mar. 2017.

Rachel Davis Harris and the Colored Branches of the Louisville Free Public Library, Louisville, Kentucky

Rachel Davis Harris (1869-1969) was the first African American female director of a public library branch in Kentucky. She was appointed director of the Colored Branches of the Louisville Free Public Library in 1935 after the death of the previous director, Reverend Thomas Fountain Blue.

Harris , the daughter of Susan Davis (later Susan Johnson), was born in 1869 in Louisville, Kentucky. Harris was an 1885 graduate of Central High School. On December 27, 1893, she married Reverend Everett Harris (1866-1936). A native of Virginia, Reverend Harris was the pastor of Plymouth Congregational Church (the church is still in operation). In 1896 the couple had a son, John Everett Harris.

In 1905, the Louisville Free Public Library opened the Western Colored Branch. The purpose of this branch was to provide library services to the African American residents of Louisville. Reverend Thomas Fountain Blue (1866-1935), a native of Farmville, Virginia, and a graduate of Hampton Institute (now Hampton University), was appointed as the branch's director. Harris was hired as Blue’s assistant. Previously, Harris was as teacher for eighteen years in the city's schools. Harris received her library training from Reverend Blue (he had received his training from staff at the main branch of the Louisville Free Public Library). In 1912, Reverend Blue started a training program for African Americans -- the earliest known such program in the United States.

In January 1914, the Eastern Colored Branch of the Louisville Free Public Library was opened. Harris was appointed as the branch's manager. She also served as the branch's children’s librarian. Later that year, Harris was the keynote speaker at the dedication service for the Cherry Street Branch of the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Public Library in Evansville, Indiana. The title of her speech was “The Advantages of Colored Branch Libraries.” The Cherry Street Branch was a Carnegie library that served the African American residents of Evansville, Indiana. It was in operation from 1914-1954. Fannie C. Porter, one of the students in Reverend Blue's training program, was the Cherry Street Branch's first manager (1914-1915). Porter was later succeeded by Lillian Haydon Childress Hall, the earliest known African American to receive a formal library science education in Indiana.

During the 1921 Joint District Meeting of Indiana and Kentucky Librarians and Trustees held at the main branch of the Louisville Free Public Library,  Mrs. Harris and Reverend Blue gave attendees a tour of the library's Western Colored Branch. Indiana attendees at the meeting were William J. Hamilton, Mayme C. Snipes, and Elizabeth Claypool Earl of the Indiana Public Library Commission; Permelia Boyd of the Scott County Library Board; and Georgia Stockslager of the Corydon Public Library (now Harrison County Public Library).

In 1923, Mrs. Harris and Reverend Blue helped open the Paul Laurence Dunbar Branch of the George M. Jones Memorial Library in Lynchburg, Virginia. The branch was located inside Paul Laurence Dunbar High School and provided library services to African Americans in Lynchburg. Harlem Renaissance poet Anne Spencer, Lynchburg's first African American librarian, was the branch's first manager (1923-1945).

In 1927, Rachel Davis Harris attended the First Negro Library Conference, held March 15-18 at Hampton Institute (now Hampton University) in Hampton, Virginia. She and Reverend Blue served as two of the conference's organizers  (Blue was the conference chair) and both gave lectures at the conference. Forty librarians were in attendance.

In 1928, Rachel Davis Harris was one of several African American attendees at the 50th Annual Conference of the American Library Association (ALA). The conference was held May 27-June 2 in West Baden, Indiana at the West Baden Springs Hotel:

Rachel Davis Harris (Louisville Free Public Library, Louisville, Kentucky)

Rev. Thomas Fountain Blue (Louisville Free Public Library, Louisville, Kentucky)

Etka F. Braboy Gaskin (Gary Public Library, Gary, Indiana)

Lillian Sunshine Haydon Childress Hall (Indianapolis Public Library, Indianapolis, Indiana)

Hallie Beachem Brooks (Indianapolis Public Library, Indianapolis, Indiana)

Othella Roberts (Evansville Public Library, Evansville, Indiana)

Elnora McIntyre Roy (Atlantic City Public Library, Atlantic City, New Jersey)

Rebecca M. Bond (Chicago Public Library, Chicago, Illinois)

Edward C. Williams (Howard University, Washington, D.C.)

In 1930, Harris along with Reverend Blue, attended the Second Negro Library Conference which was held November 20-23 in Nashville, Tennessee at Fisk University. The number of librarians believed to have attended was 71. Louis Shores, head librarian at Fisk University, served as the chair of the conference committee. Reverend Blue was one of the committee members.

On November 1935, Reverend Thomas Fountain Blue passed away. Mrs. Harris was appointed as his successor. She served as the director of the Colored Branches of the Louisville Free Public Library until her retirement in 1942. Rachel Davis Harris passed away in 1969.

Update 5/26/2014:

Rachel Davis Harris is briefly mentioned in an article I wrote on Lillian Haydon Childress Hall. The article was featured in the latest issue of Indiana Libraries (v. 33, no. 1). The link is below:


Fenton, Michele T. "Stepping Out on Faith: Lillian Haydon Childress Hall, Pioneer Black Librarian." Indiana Libraries 33.1 (2014): 5-11. Print."

Update 07/16/2014:

Rachel Davis Harris was an instructor at a summer training course for librarians held at Spelman College, June 14-July 25, 1930. The course was funded by the Southeastern Library Association and the Rosenwald Fund.


Related posts: A Brief History of Conference for African American Librarians: The First and Second Negro Library Conferences ; Rev. Thomas Fountain Blue and the Colored Branches of the Louisville Free Public Library; Librarian Education: Spelman College ; ALA History: 1928 Annual Conference of the American Library Association, West Baden, Indiana ; Anne Spencer and the Dunbar Branch of the George M. Jones Memorial Library (Lynchburg, Virginia) ; and Article on Evansville, Indiana's Former African American Library Branch (the Cherry Street Branch -- A Carnegie Library).  

Sources: "E.G. Harris and Rachel J. Davis." Kentucky Marriages, 1785-1979. FamilySearch.org, n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2014. ; "Susan Davis." United States Census, 1870. FamilySearch.org, n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2014. ; "Everett G. Harris." United States Census, 1900. FamilySearch.org, n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2014. ;  "Everett G. Harris." United States Census, 1910. FamilySearch.org, n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2014. ; "Everett G. Harris." United States Census, 1920. FamilySearch.org, n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2014. ;  "Everett G. Harris." United States Census, 1930. FamilySearch.org, n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2014. ;  "Everett G. Harris." Kentucky Death Records, 1911-1955. FamilySearch.org, n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2014. ; Harris, Rachel D. "Work with Children at the Colored Branch of the Louisville Free Public Library." Library Journal 35.4 (Apr. 1910): 160-161.Print. ; Jones, Reinette and Alonzo Hill. “Rachel D. Harris.” Notable Kentucky African Americans Database: Librarians, Library Collections, Libraries. University of Kentucky Libraries, n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2010. ; Malone, Cheryl Knott. “Quiet Pioneers: Black Women Public Librarians in the Segregated South.” Vitae Scholasticae 19.1 (2000): 4-8. Print. ; Malone, Cheryl Knott. “Louisville Free Public Library's Racially Segregated Libraries, 1905-1935.” Register of the Kentucky Historical Society 93.2 (1995): 159-179. Print.  ; “New Library Buildings: Evansville.” Library Occurrent 4.2 (1915):  28. Print. ; Harris, Rachel. “Advantages of Colored Library Branches.” Southern Workman 44.7 (1915):  385-391. Print. ; “Report of the Evansville Public Library for the Year Ending 1914.”  Evansville: Evansville Public Library, 1915. 6. Print. ; Fenton, Michele T. "A Great Day in Indiana: the Legend of Lillian Childress Hall." Black Caucus of the American Library Association, Inc. Newsletter 39.2 (2010): 5-6. Print. ; Fenton, Michele T. "Building Spotlight: The Cherry Street (African American) Branch of the Evansville-Vanderburgh County, IN Public Library." Library History Roundtable Newsletter 10.2 (2011):6. Print. ; Fenton, Michele T. "Way Down Yonder at the Cherry Street Branch: A Short History of Evansville's Negro Library." Indiana Libraries 30.2 (2011): 37-38. Print. ; Fenton, Michele T. "Stepping Out on Faith: Lillian Haydon Childress Hall, Pioneer Black Librarian." Indiana Libraries 33.1 (2014): 5-11. Print. ; Jones, Reinette. Library Service to African Americans in Kentucky: From the Reconstruction Era to the 1960s. Jefferson: McFarland, 2002. 51-57, 69, 77-78, 80, 84, 86, 88-89, 162-163. Print. ; Musmann, Klaus. “The Ugly Side of Librarianship: Segregation in Library Services from 1900 to 1950.” Untold Stories: Civil Rights, Libraries, and Black Librarianship. Ed. John Mark Tucker. Champaign: Board of Trustees U of Illinois, 1998. 82-84, 86. Print. ; Battles, David M. The History of Public Library Access African Americans in the South or, Leaving Behind the Plow. Lanham: Scarecrow, 2008. 33-34, 44, 50, 54, 60, 69-70, 142. Print. ; Spradling, Mary Mace. “Black Librarians in Kentucky.” The Black Librarian in the Southeast: Reminiscences, Activities, Challenges. Ed. Annette L. Phinazee. Durham: NCCU School of Library Science, 1980. 41, 44. Print. ; “West Baden, Ind.” Indianapolis Recorder 9 June 1928: 7. Print. ; "Library Opened: Colored People of Louisville Looked After." Indianapolis Recorder 2 June 1906: 1. Print. ; Morrison, Ken. "A History of the Lynchburg Public Library." Virginia Libraries 52.4 (2006): 2-3. Print. Doyle, Patricia K. "The Lynchburg Public Library Celebrates Its Fortieth Birthday." Lynch's Ferry (Fall 2005): 1. Print. ; Smith, Jessie Carney. "Black Women, Civil Rights, & Libraries." Untold Stories: Civil Rights, Libraries, and Black Librarianship. Ed. John Mark Tucker. Champaign: Board of Trustees of U of Illinois, 1998. 142-143. Print. ; Parkhurst Erin. "Literary Luminary: Celebrating Poet Anne Spencer." Virginia Living 9.2 (2011): 17. Print. ; "Indiana and Kentucky Librarians and Trustees Joint Meeting." Library Journal 46.7 (Apr. 1, 1921): 318-319. Print. ; Joint District Meeting Indiana and Kentucky Librarians and Trustees, Main Library, Thursday, May 10, 1921, Louisville, Kentucky. Program. [Louisville: Louisville Free Public Library, 1921]. Print. ; "Louisville." Library Occurrent 6.2 (1921): 80-81. Print. ; Jordan, Casper LeRoy. "African American Forerunners in Librarianship." Handbook of Black Librarianship. Ed. E.J. Josey and Martha DeLoach. 2nd Ed. Lanham: Scarecrow, 2000. 28-29. Print. ; Dawson, Alma. "Celebrating African American Librarians and Librarianship." Library Trends 49.1 (2000): 56. Print. ; Campbell, Lucy B. "Black Librarians in Virginia." The Black Librarian in the Southeast: Reminiscences, Activities, Challenges. Ed. Annette L. Phinazee. Durham: NCCU School of Library Science, 1980. 124-125. Print. ; Jones, Reinette and Alonzo Hill. "Thomas Fountain Blue, Sr." Notable Kentucky African Americans Database: Librarians, Library Collections, Libraries. University of Kentucky Libraries, n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2010.   

Bernice Appleton Wilder: First African American Director of the Gary Public Library (Gary, Indiana)

Bernice Appleton Wilder (1923-1988) was the first African American director of the Gary Public Library in Gary, Indiana. Ms. Wilder, a native of Missouri, was a graduate of Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri, and received her library science degree from the University of Southern California. She also was a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. 

Ms. Wilder began her career at the Gary Public Library in 1954 at the Roosevelt Branch as the branch’s manager (now closed, the Roosevelt Branch was located at the corner of 25th and Jackson Streets --about a block and a half from the former home of the Jackson 5). In 1956, she became an assistant in the Gary Public Library's Extension Department.

After working in the extension department, Wilder worked for the Louis J. Bailey Branch*, and in 1963, was appointed Children's Librarian at the John F. Kennedy Branch (formerly the Glenn Park Branch). Nine years later, Wilder was appointed manager of the Tolleston Branch. In 1977, she became Assistant Director of the Gary Public Library's Extension Department.

In 1978, Wilder was appointed director of the Gary Public Library. It was during Ms. Wilder's tenure that the W.E.B. DuBois Branch was built and the Gary Public Library began automating some of its services. She served as director until her retirement in 1983. On May 18, 1988, Ms.Wilder passed away at the age of 64.

*Notes:  

The Louis J. Bailey Branch was named for the first director of the Gary Public Library.  Louis J. Bailey, a former employee of the the New York State Library and the Library of Congress, was a graduate of the New York State Library School (Edward Christopher Williams, the first African American male to receive a formal library science education, was a 1900 graduate of the New York State Library School). Mr. Bailey served as director of the Gary Public Library from 1908 until 1922.

The Gary Public Library was originally housed in a rented facility on 33rd West 7th Avenue before receiving a grant of $65,000 in 1910 from Andrew Carnegie for a new building at the corner of 5th Avenue and Adams Street (Carnegie's brother-in-law, Henry D. Whitfield, served as the library's architect). The Carnegie building opened in November 1912 (Father John Cavanaugh of the University of Notre Dame gave the dedication address). The Carnegie building served as the location of the main branch of the Gary Public Library until 1962 when it was razed to make way for a new facility. The Gary Public Library's new main branch was opened in 1964 on the same spot on which the Carnegie building was built 52 years earlier.

See related posts: Etka F. Braboy Gaskin and the Gary Public Library (Gary, Indiana) ; Helen Price Sawyer Braxton: Hampton Institute Library School Graduate and Librarian at Lincoln University (Jefferson City, Missouri) ;  Annette Hoage Phinazee: Dean, Professor, Author, and Librarian ; and Dhrathula Millender: Librarian, Author, and Historian - One of Indiana's Own.

Sources: Gary Public Library. ; “Missouri Girl Is Appointed Gary Librarian.” Indianapolis Recorder 6 Mar. 1954: 9. Print. ; “Personnel Appointments.” Gary Library Bulletin 12.3 (1954): 2. Print. ; “Personnel Changes.” Gary Library Bulletin 14.2 (1956): 4. Print. ; “Bernice Wilder, Past Director at Gary Library Dies at 64.” Gary Post-Tribune (Ind.) 20 May 1988: B9. Print. ; “Final Respect Paid 10th Library Director.” Gary Post-Tribune (Ind.) 26 May 1988. Highbeam Research, n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2011. ; “Certificates Issued by the Library Certification Board – All Permanent Certificates Issued February 1 – April 30, 1961.” Library Occurrent 20.6 (1961): 176. Print. ;  “Bernice Appleton.” United States Census, 1930. FamilySearch.org, n.d. Web. 7 Jan. 2011. ; “Bernice Appleton.” United States Census, 1940. FamilySearch.org, n.d. Web. 4 Mar. 2013. ; “Bernice L. Wilder.” Social Security Death Index. FamilySearch.org, n.d. Web. 4 Mar. 2013. ; Peters, Orpha Maud. The Gary Public Library: 1907-1944. Gary: Gary Public Library, 1945. Print. ; “Roosevelt Branch Library.” Gary Library Bulletin 22.3 (1965): 2. Print. ; “History of the Alcott Branch Library.” Gary Library Bulletin 22.5 (1965): 2. Print. ; “New Library Buildings.” Library Occurrent 3.5 (1912): 93-95. Print. ;  “Bailey Honored by Librarians.” Indianapolis Star 8 Dec. 1933: 15. Print. ;  “State Library Activities Outlined by Indianan.” Indianapolis News 15 May 1929: 14. Print. ;  McPherson, Alan. Temples of Knowledge: Andrew Carnegie's Gift to Indiana. Kewanna, IN: Hoosier's Nest Press, 2003. 215, 227, 231, 234. Print.