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1795 - Amos Fortune establishes the Jaffrey Social Library
Amos Fortune, a free man of color, establishes the Jaffrey Social Library In Jaffrey, New Hampshire.
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1833 - Philadelphia Library Company of Colored Persons
Philadelphia Library Company of Colored Persons was established. “The main objective was to build up a collection of useful books on every subject for the benefit of its members.” Citation: http://stillfamily.library.temple.edu/stillfamily/exhibits/show/william-still/people-and-places/philadelphia-library-company-o
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1842 - James D. Roberts and the Mt. Pleasant Library
James D. Roberts was the earliest known African American male librarian to work in the state of Indiana. Although not formally trained, Mr. Roberts served as the first librarian of the Mt. Pleasant Library in Rush County from 1842 until 1843. In operation from 1842 until 1867, the library was located inside the Mt. Pleasant … Continue reading
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1854 - William Howard Day
William Howard Days is the first African American librarian appointed by The Cleveland Library Association, a subscription library.
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1900 - Edward C. Williams: the first African American to receive a library degree
Edward Christopher Williams was the first professionally trained African American librarian in the United.States. Williams worked as a librarian a the Hatch Library at Western Reserve University from 1892 to 1909. In 1898 Williams pursued his Masters Degree in Library Science at New York State Library School in Albany. Williams served as the University Librarian … Continue reading
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1905 - Belle da Costa Greene: Personal librarian to J. P. Morgan
Belle da Costa Greene was hired as the personal librarian to J. P. Morgan, and became the first Director of the Morgan Library. Greene’s library career began at Princeton University Library in 1902, where she was introduced to financier J.P. Morgan. She worked for the Morgan Library until 1948. During her years as a librarian … Continue reading
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1908 - Western Colored Branch in Kentucky
Western Colored Branch in Kentucky becomes the first public library in the nation to serve African-American patrons with an exclusively African-American staff. Reverend Thomas Fountain Blue headed the African American branches of the Louisville Free Public Library. Reverend Blue was the first African American to serve as a head of a public library in the … Continue reading
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1909 - Colored Carnegie Library of Houston, Texas Established
The Colored Carnegie Library of Houston, Texas is established inside Booker T. Washington High School. After receiving a Carnegie Grant, the library obtained its own building in 1913.
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1912 - Norwood Library Established in Indiana
The Norwood Library, an independent library for African Americans, is established in the Norwood neighborhood in Indianapolis, Indiana.The library was established and operated by African Americans.
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1913 - Public Library Offers Training Program For Black Library Assistants
Louisville Public Library offered a training program for Black Library assistants
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1914 - Cherry Street Branch of the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Public Library Opens
The Cherry Street Branch of the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Public Library opens in Evansville, Indiana. It is the only Carnegie Library in Indiana built exclusively for African Americans. Fannie Porter was the branch’s first manager. Ms. Porter was trained at the Western Colored Branch of the Louisville Free Public Library in Louisville, Kentucky.
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1914 - Eastern Colored Branch of the Louisville Free Public Library Opens
Eastern Colored Branch of the Louisville Free Public Library opens in Louisville, Kentucky.
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1914 - Moorland Foundation opens at Howard University
The centralization of a large collection of Black materials based on the foundation of the private library of J.E. Moorland.
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1915 - Lillian Childress Hall is the First African American Graduate of the Indiana Public Library Commission Summer School for Librarians
Lillian Childress Hall is the first African American graduate of the Indiana Public Library Commission Summer School for Librarians. Indianapolis, Indiana. Ms.Hall later served as the second manager of the Cherry Street Branch of the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Public Library in Evansville, Indiana. Note: The Indiana Public Library Commission Summer School of Librarians was not an … Continue reading
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1919 - The Indianapolis Public Library Establishes A Deposit Station at the Flanner Guild African American Settlement House
The Indianapolis Public Library establishes a deposit station at the Flanner Guild African American Settlement House (a social services agency for African Americans). Deposit stations were institutions and businesses authorized by the Indianapolis Public Library to lend its books to the public.
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1920 - Catherine Latimer is the First Black Librarian Hired at the New York Public Library
Catherine Latimer is the first Black librarian hired at the New York Public Library, at the 135th Street Branch and helps to usher in the Harlem Renaissance.
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1921 - The Indianapolis Public Library opens the Paul Laurence Dunbar Branch
The Indianapolis Public Library opens the Paul Laurence Dunbar Branch. It is the library’s first branch to open in an African American neighborhood. The Dunbar Branch is located inside Indianapolis Public School #26, an elementary school for African American children in the Martindale-Brightwood area of Indianapolis. Lillian Childress Hall is the branch’s first manager.
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1921 - Alice Dugged Cary Appointed the First Librarian of the Auburn Carnegie Library
Alice Dugged Cary was appointed the first librarian of the Auburn Carnegie Library. Auburn Branch Library opens in Atlanta, Ga. The library was the first free public library in Atlanta for African Americans. The building was funded by Andrew Carnegie.
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1921 - 1st ALA Round table met to encourage library patron diversity.
The round table was begun to examine the state of equitable access to library materials for African-Americans. The round table continued for two years before being disbanded. Tensions flared between librarians in the north and the south causing the ALA to suspend the round table. (first African-American to speak at an ALA program – Thomas … Continue reading
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1923 - Virginia Proctor Powell Florence
1st African American woman to graduate from a professional library school (Carnegie Library School)
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1924 - 1st African American librarian in the Chicago Public Library system.
Vivian G. Harsh became the first African American librarian inthe Chicago Public Library system and a significant contributor to Chicago’s Black Renaissance.
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1925 - New York Public Library opens Negro Division
The New York Public Library establishes a Division of Negro Literature, History and Prints in the 135th Street Branch Library.
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1926 - Arturo Schomburg’s personal collection goes to New York Public Library
Arturo Schomburg’s personal collection became a part of the Division of Negro Literature, History and Prints at the New York Public Library
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1927 - 1st Negro Library Conference
The 1st Negro Library Conference was held at Hampton Institute, Hampton, VA on March 15-18, 1927.
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1927 - 1st African American to graduate from Columbia University Library School
Dorothy B. Porter became the first African American to graduate from the Columbia University Library School
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1927 - 1st Black credentialed librarian in California
Miriam Matthews became the first Black credentialed librarian California in 1927. She was also the first hired by the Los Angeles Public Library.
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1927 - The Indianapolis Public Library opens the Crispus Attucks Branch.
It is the library’s second branch to open in an African American neighborhood. The branch is located inside Crispus Attucks High School, a high school for African Americans near downtown Indianapolis. Lillian Childress Hall is the branch’s first head librarian.
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1927 - The First Negro Library Conference
March 15-18, 1927 at Hampton Institute (Hampton University) in Hampton, Virginia the First Negro Library Conference is held.
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1927 - Miriam Matthews is the first Black credentialed librarian in California
Miriam Matthews became the first Black credentialed librarian in California, and the first Black Librarian hired by the Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL). She was dedicated to building a collection of resources that focused on Black history and was an advocate for “Negro History Week.” In 1949 she served as regional librarian at LAPL until … Continue reading
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1927 - Librarians host Countee Cullen at the Indianapolis Public Library
Poet Countee Cullen speaks at a tea given in his honor by the Paul Laurence Dunbar Branch of the Indianapolis Public Library. Librarians Lillian Childress Hall and Hallie Beachem Brooks served as hostesses for the tea.
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1928 - The 1928 Indiana Library Association Conference
The Indiana Library Association (now the Indiana Library Federation) held its annual conference at the Hotel Lincoln in Indianapolis, Indiana. Conference officials persuaded the hotel to change its rules and allow African American attendees to use the elevators in order to gain access to conference sessions held on the upper floors of the hotel. Despite … Continue reading
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1930 - The Second Negro Library Conference
The Second Negro Library Conference was held November 20-23, 1930 at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. Approximately 71 librarians attended the conference. Noted speakers at the conference included Arthur Schomburg, Monroe Work, and Wallace Van Jackson.1930
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1934 - North Carolina Negro Library Association
Founded at Shaw University by Mollie Huston Lee and A.P. Marshall for African American library professionals. It was the first Black library association in the United States.
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1935 - Richard B. Harrison Library
First public library for African Americans in Raleigh, NC. Founded by Mollie Huston Lee, 1st African American librarian in Raleigh, NC.
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1937-1954 - The Delta Sigma Theta Bookmobile
Delta Sigma Theta, a historic Black sorority founded in 1913 at Howard University in Washington, DC starts the Library Committee to provide books for people in rural southern communities. A New York librarian, Maude Wilkins from The New York Alumni Chapter was appointed acting director of the bookmobile program, which served rural Black communities until … Continue reading
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1939 - Alexandria Library Sit-In
“One of the very first sit-ins took place at the Alexandria Library in Alexandria, VA. Although, the library was the only one in the city, it only served the white citizens. On August 21, 1939, Four Black men entered and asked to register for a library card. When refused, they took books off the shelves, … Continue reading
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1939 - The School of Library and Information Sciences (SLIS) of North Carolina Central University
Currently the HBCU with an LIS program, North Carolina Central University SLIS program “was authorized by the State Legislature in 1939 when the charter of the then North Carolina College for Negroes was amended for the purpose of allowing the establishment of graduate and professional programs at the College. That amendment established the program in … Continue reading
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1940 - Eliza Atkins Gleason becomes the first Black American to earn a doctorate in library science.
Eliza Atkins Gleason became the first Black American to earn a doctorate in library science at the University of Chicago. Her dissertation entitled, The Government and Administration of Public Library Service to Negroes in the South, was the first complete history of library access in the South with a focus on African American libraries. Gleason … Continue reading
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1940 - The Stanford L. Warren Public Library
The Stanford L. Warren Public Library opened on January 17, 1940. The branch was the first public library to serve the African American community in Durham, NC.
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1942 - The 51st Library of Camp Montford Point
The 51st Library of Camp Montford Point was established at Camp Montford Point, a military base in Jacksonville, North Carolina. The library provided services to African American Marines stationed at the base during World War II.
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1942 - Eliza Atkins Gleason is the first Black American to serve on the ALA Council
Eliza Atkins Gleason is the first Black American to serve on the ALA Council
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- Vivian Davidson Hewitt, first African American librarian in Pittsburgh
Vivian Ann Davidson Hewitt was Pittsburgh’s first African American librarian, and became the first Black president of the Special Libraries Association. She is also well-known for her collection of African American fine art.
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1945 - Virginia Lacy Jones
Virginia Lacy Jones became the second African American to earn a PhD in library science from the University of Chicago. Dr. Jones was also the second dean of the School of Library Science at Atlanta University. She served as dean from 1945-1981.
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1947 - The Conference of Public Librarians
The Conference of Public Librarians was held at Atlanta University (now Clark-Atlanta University) in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Virginia Lacy Jones was the conference chairperson. The conference was sponsored by the Carnegie Corporation and the Atlanta University Library School. The conference provided a space for Black librarians to explore ways to provide services to the communities … Continue reading
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1947 - Allegra Westbrooks became manager of the Brevard Street Library
Allegra Westbrooks becomes manager of the Brevard Street Library, one of only two branches that served African Americans in Charlotte, NC.
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1948 - The Union Street Library
The Union Street Library, the African American branch of the Montgomery City-County Public Library (formerly the Carnegie Library of Montgomery, Alabama) opens at 409 South Union Street. Bertha Pleasant Williams served as the branch’s first librarian. Williams received her BLS (Bachelor of Library Science) from Alabama State University in 1943 and her MLS (Master of … Continue reading
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1954 - Alma Smith Jacobs Becomes Head Librarian in Great Falls, Montana
Alma Smith Jacobs becomes the first African American head librarian in segregated Great Falls, MT
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1956 - First integrated ALA conference held in the South
First integrated ALA conference takes place in Miami, FL
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1957 - Charlemae Rollins, the First Black Librarian to act as President of the Children’s Services Division of ALA
Charlemae Rollins becomes the first first black librarian to serve as president of the Children’s Services Division of the American Library Association
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1960 - McKenney Library Sit-In, North Carolina
On March 7, 1960 15 African Americans staged a sit-in at the McKenney Public Library. Eleven of the participants were arrested.
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1961 - The Tougaloo Nine, staged sit-ins at the all-white Jackson Main Library in Jackson, Mississippi.
Nine undergraduate students at Tougaloo College staged at sit-in, for which they were trained by Medgar Evers, President of the Jackson Branch of the NAACP. All nine students were arrested.
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1961 - Dr. Annette Lewis Phinazee was both the first woman and the first Black American woman to earn a doctorate in Library Science from Columbia University.
Dr. Annette Lewis Phinazee was both the first woman and the first Black American woman to earn a doctorate in Library Science from Columbia University. Her dissertation is entitled The Library of Congress Classification in the United States: A Survey of Opinions and Practices with Attention to the Problems of Structure and Application.
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1961 - Jet Magazine publishes an article on segregation and libraries.
Jet Magazine publishes an article on segregation and libraries. Librarians interviewed for the article: Dr. Virginia Lacy Jones (Atlanta University School of Library School of Library Science), Milton S. Byam (Brooklyn Public Library), Miles M. Jackson (Hampton University), and Spencer G. Shaw (Nassau Library System, NY). Citation: “Top Negro Librarians Air Views on Library Segregation” … Continue reading
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1962 - African American Students attempt to integrate the Albany Carnegie Library in Albany, Georgia
A small group of African American attempt to use the segregated Albany Carnegie Library. They were observed by the police, but avoided arrest by leaving the library.
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1963 - African American ministers Rev. Nimrod Reynolds and Rev. William McCain are attacked by a white mob for attempting to integrate the Anniston Public Library.
In Anniston, Alabama, African American ministers Rev. Nimrod Reynolds and Rev. William McCain are both attacked by a white mob for attempting to integrate the Anniston Public Library.
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1964 - St. Helen Four
On March 7, 1964 the “St. Helen Four” attempted to enter the St. Helen branch of the Audubon Public Library in Greensburg, Louisiana. The librarian immediately locked the door. The students returned to the library every day even in the face of protests.
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1964 - Civil Rights Act which outlawed discrimination in public facilities, including public libraries.
Civil Rights Act which outlawed discrimination in public facilities, including public libraries.
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1969 - A lawsuit was filed against the Alabama Department of Education by the National Education Association (NEA) and the Alabama State Teachers Association on behalf of Carrie Coleman Robinson.
A lawsuit was filed against the Alabama Department of Education by the National Education Association (NEA) and the Alabama State Teachers Association on behalf of Carrie Coleman Robinson. Ms. Robinson, a Black school librarian, was passed over for a job by the Alabama Department of Education in favor of a less qualified white librarian.
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1970 - The Black Librarian in America is published
The Black Librarian in America is published (Scarecrow, 1970)
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1970 - Clara Jones becomes the first Black director of Detroit Public Library
Clara Jones becomes the first Black director of Detroit Public Library making her the first African American and woman as a director of a major American library system.
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1973 - Dr. Michael R. Winston was named director of the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center
Dr. Michael R. Winston was named director of the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center combining the resources of Howard University’s Moorland Foundation and other collections including that of Arthur B. Spingarn
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1975 - Dr. Mayme A. Clayton founded Western States Black Research Center, now named The Mayme A. Clayton Library & Museum
Dr. Mayme A. Clayton founded Western States Black Research Center, now named The Mayme A. Clayton Library & Museum. Located in Los Angeles, CA, her curated “collection contains over two million rare books, films, documents, photographs, artifacts, and works of art related to the history and culture of African Americans in the United States, with … Continue reading
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1976 - Daphne Rowena Douglas Becomes Head of the Library Science Program at the University of West Indies
Daphne Rowena Douglas became head of the library science program at the University of the West Indies. Douglas served as head from 1976-1980 and 1982-1993. She received her MLS from the University of Pittsburgh in 1974.
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1976 - Wallace Van Jackson Becomes First African American to Receive the American Library Association’s Centennial Award
Wallace Van Jackson becomes the first African American to receive the American Library Association’s Centennial Award. He received his BLS from the Hampton Institute Library School in 1934 and his MLS from the University of Michigan in 1935. In the aftermath of the 1936 ALA Annual Conference in Richmond, Virginia, Van Jackson wrote letters to … Continue reading
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1982 - East Bay Negro Historical Society (EBNHS) Merges with Golden Gate Branch of the Oakland Public Library
East Bay Negro Historical Society (EBNHS) merges with Golden Gate Branch of the Oakland Public Library, making it the first public library in Oakland with a predominantly Black focused collection.
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1983 - Major Robert Odell Owens First Elected Librarian in Congress
Major Robert Odell Owens was the first elected Librarian in Congress, he served from 1983-2007.
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1983 - Cynthia Jenkins Elected to the New York State Assembly
Cynthia Jenkins, librarian at Queens Public Library was elected to the New York State Assembly where she served from 1983-1994.
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1984 - Dr. E. J. Josey Elected President of the American Library Association
Dr. E. J. Josey President of the American Library Association (1984/1985)
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1986 - Ella Gaines Yates Appointed First African American State Librarian of the State of Virginia
Ella Gaines Yates was appointed 1st African American State Librarian of Virginia by Douglas Wider, 1st African American Governor of the state.
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1991 - Robert Wedgeworth Elected As President of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)
Robert Wedgeworth elected as president of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA). Served from 1991-1997.
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1992 - The First National Conference of African American Librarians (NCAAL)
The First National Conference of African American Libraries (NCAAL) held in Columbus, Ohio
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1993 - Hardy R. Franklin Elected President of the American Library Association
Hardy R. Franklin President of the American Library Association (1993/1994).
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1994 - The Black Librarian in America Revisited is published.
E.J. Josey updates his classic 1970 work The Black Librarian in America, two decades later.
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1993 - Cong. Major Owens introduced bill requiring library expertise for Librarian of Congress position.
Major Robert Odell Owens introduces H.R. 906, a bill requiring that the Librarian of Congress have specialized training in library science. The bill was introduced in Congress on February 16, 1993. Unfortunately, the bill was never voted on:
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1994 - Atlanta-Fulton Library opens African American Research Branch
The Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History opens in Atlanta.
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1994 - Oakland California Public Library opens African American Museum & Library
African American Museum & Library at Oakland
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1995 - Dr. Carla Hayden – Library Journal’s Librarian of the Year
Dr. Carla Hayden becomes the first African American to receive Library Journal’s Librarian of the Year Award.
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2001 - The Indiana Black Librarians Network (IBLN) is established
The Indiana Black Librarians Network (IBLN) an affiliate chapter of the Black Caucus of the American Library Association is established.
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2003 - Tyrone Cannon heads ACRL
Tyrone Cannon is elected president of the Association of College and Research Libraries, a division of the American Library Association.
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2003 - Dr. Carla Hayden heads ALA
Dr. Carly Hayden is elected president of the American Library Association
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2003 - Dr. Lucille Cole Thomas elected to “Honorary Membership” in ALA
Dr. Lucile Cole Thomas was awarded “Honorary Membership” the American Library Association’s highest honor.
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2003 - Dr. Kay Raseroka elected IFLA president
Dr. Kay Raseroka of South Africa was elected 2003-2005 president of IFLA, the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions.
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2009 - Ellen Remona Tise elected IFLA president
Ellen Remona Tise of South Africa was elected 2009-2011 president of IFLA the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions.
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2012 - The 21st-Century Black Librarian in America: Issues and Challenges published
The collection of essays was edited by Andrew P. Jackson (Sekou Molefi Baako), Julius C. Jefferson, Jr., and Akilah S. Nosakhere.
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2013 - AfLIA is established
AfLIA is the African Library and Information Associations and Institutions.
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2013 - Trevor Dawes elected ACRL president
Trevor Dawes elected president of the Association of College and Research Libraries
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2016 - Dr. Carla Hayden named Librarian of Congress
Dr. Carla Hayden is appointed to be the first woman, first African American, and first professional librarian to serve as Librarian of Congress
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2018 - ALA Council approves resolution apologizing for compliance with Jim Crow laws
The American Library Association issues a release apologizing for the organisation’s compliance with Jim Crow laws in the past.
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2018 - Wanda Brown elected 2019-20 president of ALA
BCALA former president Wanda Brown elected president of the American Library Association.
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2020-2021 - ALA President: Julius Jefferson
Served as President of the American Library Association from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021.
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2020 - ALA Executive Director: Tracie D. Hall
Appointed the first female African American Executive Director of the American Library Association on February 24, 2020.
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2020 - 83rd ACRL President: Jon Cawthorne
Served as President of the Association of College and Research Libraries from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021.
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2021 - Chair of the IFLA North American Regional Division: Julius Jefferson
Elected as chair of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) North America Regional Division in August 2021.
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2022 - Special Issue of Libraries: Culture, History, and Society (LCHS) focused on Black Women Librarians
In Spring 2022, Libraries: Culture, History, and Society (LCHS), the peer-reviewed journal of the ALA Library History Round Table (LHRT), publishes a special issue dedicated to contributions of Black women librarians to the library profession. BCALA member, Dr. Nicole A.Cooke served as guest editor.
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2022 - The Black Librarian in America: Reflections, Resistance, and Reawakening.
The fourth volume in The Black Librarian in America series. Edited by BCALA President Shauntee Burns-Simpson, BCALA Vice President Nichelle M. Hayes, Dr. Shaundra Walker, and Dr. Ana Ndumu, this volume focuses on DEI, STEM, leadership, advocacy, history, racism, recruitment, and other topics of importance to African American librarians. The book will be published by … Continue reading
