African American Pioneers in Library ScienceShaundra Walker, MLS

Assistant Professor of Library Science

Georgia College

February 17, 2015

Background• Historically, librarianship and libraries have been segregated and in

most instances unequal

• These individuals’ accomplishments may seem insignificant on the surface but when considered within the social norms of the day, they are extraordinary

Selected Pioneers• Edward Christopher Williams

• Thomas Fountain Blue

• Virginia Proctor Powell

• Eliza Ann Gleason Atkins, PhD

• E.J. Josey

Edward Christopher Williams (1871-1929)• First professionally trained African

American librarian

• Received a certificate from the New York State Library School in 1900

• Served as a librarian at Western Reserve University and principal of the Paul L. Dunbar High School before becoming head librarian at Howard University

Josey, E. J. (1969). Edward Christopher Williams: A librarian's librarian. The Journal of Library History, 4(2), 106-122.

Thomas Fountain Blue (1866-1935)• Founded the first apprenticeship

program for African American library workers

• Program operated from 1912-1926 out of the Louisville (KY) Free Public Library Branch for Negroes

• Trained 37 African American women for work in segregated southern public libraries

Wright, L.T. (1955). Thomas Fountain Blue, pioneer librarian, 1866-1935. (Master’s thesis). Retrieved from ETD Collection for Robert W. Woodruff Library, Atlanta University Center. (Paper 369). http://digitalcommons.auctr.edu/dissertations/369

Thomas Fountain Blue Speaks"As this was the first free public library for colored people with a colored staff, it was regarded as something new. It was an experiment and like so many new, untried things, its future was uncertain. Some said ... when the novelty and enthusiasm has subsided, it would die ... but it didn't die, it decided to live and how well, the records tell."

Virginia Proctor Powell (1897-1992)• First female African American

professionally trained librarian

• Trained at the Pittsburgh Carnegie Library School (1923)

• Worked in public and school libraries in New York, Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA

Gunn, A. C. (1989). The Struggle of Virginia Proctor Powell Florence: A Black Woman Wants to Be a Professional. American Libraries, 20(2). 154-157.

Eliza Ann Atkins Gleason, PhD (1909-2009)• First African American to receive a PhD in library

science (1940)

• Dissertation: The southern Negro and the public library; a study of the government and administration of public library service to Negroes in the South Only 20% of southern African Americans were provided

library services Disparity in the number of volumes provided to the

races

• First dean of the library school at Atlanta University

Battles, D. M. (2009). The history of public library access for African Americans in the South, or, Leaving behind the plow. Lanham, Md: Scarecrow Press.

E.J. Josey: An Activist Librarian (1924-2009)• Former librarian at Savannah State College (now

Savannah State University)

• Challenged the American Library Association because it allowed its officers to participate in state associations that denied membership to African Americans

• Forced the integration of state library associations in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi

• Established the Black Caucus of the American Library Association, the first of the five ethnic caucuses

• Publications include The Black Librarian in America, The Black Librarian in America Revisited and The Handbook of Black Librarianship

How Race Has(n’t) Changed in LIS• Profession remains overwhelmingly White

Credentialed academic librarians are 86.1% white. African Americans make up 12.6% of the American population, but only

account for 5.4% of credentialed academic librarians.

• Only incremental changes Librarians of color remain underrepresented in leadership positions Only five African American presidents of ALA in its 136 year history African American and other librarians of color continue to report

discriminatory practices that impede their retention and promotion.

• Current focus Leadership Collections Recruitment, Retention and Progression