What do you think?
Rate this book
The Desegregation of Public Libraries in the Jim Crow South: Civil Rights and Local Activism
In The Desegregation of Public Libraries in the Jim Crow South, Wayne A. and Shirley A. Wiegand tell the comprehensive story of the integration of southern public libraries. As in other efforts to integrate civic institutions in the 1950s and 1960s, the determination of local activists won the battle against segregation in libraries. In particular, the willingness of young black community members to take part in organized protests and direct actions ensured that local libraries would become genuinely free to all citizens.
The Wiegands trace the struggle for equal access to the years before the Supreme Court's Brown v. Board of Education decision, when black activists in the South focused their efforts on equalizing accommodations, rather than on the more daunting--and dangerous--task of undoing segregation. After the ruling, momentum for vigorously pursuing equality grew, and black organizations shifted to more direct challenges to the system, including public library sit-ins and lawsuits against library systems. Although local groups often took direction from larger civil rights organizations, the energy, courage, and determination of younger black community members ensured the eventual desegregation of Jim Crow public libraries. The Wiegands examine the library desegregation movement in several southern cities and states, revealing the ways that individual communities negotiated--mostly peacefully, sometimes violently--the integration of local public libraries.
This study adds a new chapter to the history of civil rights activism in the mid-twentieth century and celebrates the resolve of community activists as it weaves the account of racial discrimination in public libraries through the national narrative of the civil rights movement.
The Wiegands trace the struggle for equal access to the years before the Supreme Court's Brown v. Board of Education decision, when black activists in the South focused their efforts on equalizing accommodations, rather than on the more daunting--and dangerous--task of undoing segregation. After the ruling, momentum for vigorously pursuing equality grew, and black organizations shifted to more direct challenges to the system, including public library sit-ins and lawsuits against library systems. Although local groups often took direction from larger civil rights organizations, the energy, courage, and determination of younger black community members ensured the eventual desegregation of Jim Crow public libraries. The Wiegands examine the library desegregation movement in several southern cities and states, revealing the ways that individual communities negotiated--mostly peacefully, sometimes violently--the integration of local public libraries.
This study adds a new chapter to the history of civil rights activism in the mid-twentieth century and celebrates the resolve of community activists as it weaves the account of racial discrimination in public libraries through the national narrative of the civil rights movement.
280 pages, Hardcover
First published April 14, 2018
3 people are currently reading
419 people want to read
About the author
Wayne A. Wiegand
28 books21 followers"Wayne August Wiegand (born April 15, 1946) is an American library historian, author, and academic.
Often referred to as the "Dean of American library historians," Wiegand retired as F. William Summers Professor of Library and Information Studies and Professor of American Studies at Florida State University in 2010. He received a BA in history at the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh (1968), an MA in history at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (1970), and an MLS at Western Michigan University and a Ph.D. in history at Southern Illinois University (1974). Before moving to Tallahassee in 2003 he was Librarian at Urbana College in Ohio (1974-1976), and on the faculties of the College of Library Science at the University of Kentucky (1976-1986) and the School of Library and Information Studies at the University of Wisconsin–Madison (1987-2002). At the latter he also served as founder and Co-Director of the Center for the History of Print Culture in Modern America (a joint program of the University and the Wisconsin Historical Society established in 1992).
In Spring, 1994, he was William Rand Kenan Jr. Visiting Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In Spring, 1998, he was Fellow in the UW–Madison’s Institute for Research in the Humanities. In 1999 he was elected to membership in the American Antiquarian Society, and in Fall, 2000, he was a Spencer Foundation Fellow. Between 2004 and 2007 he served as Executive Director of Beta Phi Mu (the International Library and Information Science Honor Society). As a member of the faculty of the FSU Program in American & Florida Studies, in 2006 he co-organized the Florida Book Awards (the most comprehensive state book awards program in the United States) and until July, 2012, served as its Director. For the academic year 2009-2010 he shared time between Florida State University in Tallahassee and the Winter Park Institute of Rollins College in Orlando, where he was “Scholar in Residence." In 2011 he received a Short-Term Fellowship from the New York Public Library. From 2010 to 2014 he served as President of the Florida State University Friends of Libraries. For the academic year 2008-2009, he was on a Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Humanities to write a book tentatively entitled ’Part of Our Lives:’ A People’s History of the American Public Library. This book will be published simultaneously with a documentary on the American public library currently being put together by independent film makers.[1]
He currently resides in Walnut Creek, California."
~Wikipedia entry - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayne_A....
Often referred to as the "Dean of American library historians," Wiegand retired as F. William Summers Professor of Library and Information Studies and Professor of American Studies at Florida State University in 2010. He received a BA in history at the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh (1968), an MA in history at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (1970), and an MLS at Western Michigan University and a Ph.D. in history at Southern Illinois University (1974). Before moving to Tallahassee in 2003 he was Librarian at Urbana College in Ohio (1974-1976), and on the faculties of the College of Library Science at the University of Kentucky (1976-1986) and the School of Library and Information Studies at the University of Wisconsin–Madison (1987-2002). At the latter he also served as founder and Co-Director of the Center for the History of Print Culture in Modern America (a joint program of the University and the Wisconsin Historical Society established in 1992).
In Spring, 1994, he was William Rand Kenan Jr. Visiting Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In Spring, 1998, he was Fellow in the UW–Madison’s Institute for Research in the Humanities. In 1999 he was elected to membership in the American Antiquarian Society, and in Fall, 2000, he was a Spencer Foundation Fellow. Between 2004 and 2007 he served as Executive Director of Beta Phi Mu (the International Library and Information Science Honor Society). As a member of the faculty of the FSU Program in American & Florida Studies, in 2006 he co-organized the Florida Book Awards (the most comprehensive state book awards program in the United States) and until July, 2012, served as its Director. For the academic year 2009-2010 he shared time between Florida State University in Tallahassee and the Winter Park Institute of Rollins College in Orlando, where he was “Scholar in Residence." In 2011 he received a Short-Term Fellowship from the New York Public Library. From 2010 to 2014 he served as President of the Florida State University Friends of Libraries. For the academic year 2008-2009, he was on a Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Humanities to write a book tentatively entitled ’Part of Our Lives:’ A People’s History of the American Public Library. This book will be published simultaneously with a documentary on the American public library currently being put together by independent film makers.[1]
He currently resides in Walnut Creek, California."
~Wikipedia entry - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayne_A....
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 27, 2021
A fascinating look at a little-known aspect of the Civil Rights Era, carefully researched and cited. It serves as both a valuable historical record, and as a direct challenge to the library profession. We haven't always, as a group, defended the beliefs we claim to hold; we should recognize that, remember it, and vow to do better.
Read
June 12, 2021was not able to finish this sadly as it was an ILL and they can’t be renewed 💔 i got to about more than halfway thru . hopefully i can loan it out again / get a used copy i was really learning a lot
May 15, 2022
Such an important book. Interesting to read. I had not considered segregation of libraries and how addressing this injustice was also a part of the civil rights movement. The stories of these largely local efforts filled a real gap in my knowledge.
May 15, 2020
As a longtime advocate of information literacy, this little known historical analysis of the challenges faced by young Blacks to integrate public libraries in the Jim Crow South was an emotional, sad, and very informative journey.
Although focused on the evolution of integrated public libraries in the South, through this lens, one gets exposed to the fact that this was not simply a regional civil rights issue, but, clearly, a national one involving both southern and northern public libraries and the leadership that supported them.
The lack of civil rights advocacy on behalf of the professional library association was regretfully illuminated during this time frame as annotated by the authors.
And, in many ways, that passive legacy still lingers today as an undercurrent although a number of diversification efforts since the 60's have been attempted by the association's leadership/membership.
Yet, recruitment of professional librarians of color in the 21st century remains a major challenge for the organization. Statistics continue to document that the number of professional librarians of color within the organization and across the country pales in comparison to the overall national profile.
Suffice it to say that this enlightening, educational experience should be required reading not only for students in schools of library and information science, but also the leadership of higher education institutions and professional organizations who promote libraries as the "heart" of a successful educational experience.
The historical, permeating stain of racism in America has deep, deep roots and continues to infiltrate its ugly tentacles across all segments of our society today.
The authors, Wayne A. and Shirley A. Wiegand, have admirably filled a long standing gap in library and information science civil rights history.
Their insightful analysis helps the reader to understand why one of society's most revered institutions chose an unfortunate path of least resistance during a very turbulent and frightening time in our history when young Black students developed the courage to stand their ground and demand educational opportunity, equality, and access.
I highly recommend this book to those interested in information literacy practice, achievement gap, first-generation college students, and college student success.
Although focused on the evolution of integrated public libraries in the South, through this lens, one gets exposed to the fact that this was not simply a regional civil rights issue, but, clearly, a national one involving both southern and northern public libraries and the leadership that supported them.
The lack of civil rights advocacy on behalf of the professional library association was regretfully illuminated during this time frame as annotated by the authors.
And, in many ways, that passive legacy still lingers today as an undercurrent although a number of diversification efforts since the 60's have been attempted by the association's leadership/membership.
Yet, recruitment of professional librarians of color in the 21st century remains a major challenge for the organization. Statistics continue to document that the number of professional librarians of color within the organization and across the country pales in comparison to the overall national profile.
Suffice it to say that this enlightening, educational experience should be required reading not only for students in schools of library and information science, but also the leadership of higher education institutions and professional organizations who promote libraries as the "heart" of a successful educational experience.
The historical, permeating stain of racism in America has deep, deep roots and continues to infiltrate its ugly tentacles across all segments of our society today.
The authors, Wayne A. and Shirley A. Wiegand, have admirably filled a long standing gap in library and information science civil rights history.
Their insightful analysis helps the reader to understand why one of society's most revered institutions chose an unfortunate path of least resistance during a very turbulent and frightening time in our history when young Black students developed the courage to stand their ground and demand educational opportunity, equality, and access.
I highly recommend this book to those interested in information literacy practice, achievement gap, first-generation college students, and college student success.
June 16, 2019
Stay with it; it will piss you off, hopefully into action We have come a long way. I cannot even imagine this kind of treatment, it disgusted me and as a lover of all the books, I wanted to shower the South with whatever they wanted to read in this historical account. Amazing what the rich white man got away with during these times. We didn't learn about a lot of this stuff in school, and even now you have to go and seek this information out. Like our African American brothers and sisters had to, many times outdated, ruined resources that had to be hidden. This makes me infuriated.
Libraries are for all. Yes, they are a place you can go and escape. We go hang out in libraries when we want to escape the heat or feel lonely.
It is comforting being surrounded by books where anything is possible.
Libraries are for all. Yes, they are a place you can go and escape. We go hang out in libraries when we want to escape the heat or feel lonely.
It is comforting being surrounded by books where anything is possible.
September 10, 2021
To the black youths
who risked their lives to desegregate
Jim Crow public libraries
in the American South.
A sadly belated "Thank you."
In the first half of the 20th century, Southern public libraries were segregated just like every other business and public building in the South. Separate, but equal was a joke with most "colored" libraries poorly staffed with shelves stocked with weeded books from the white library, and that is if they even existed in the first place. In the 1950s and 1960s (and in one case even earlier), young Black activists sought out to desegregate libraries across the South to ensure that everyone would have access to information.
I had not given much thought to what libraries must have been like in the age of Jim Crow. Last year, I read a local history book, Portraits of the African-American Experience in Concord-Cabarrus, North Carolina 1860-2008, which mentioned the "colored" library that used to exist in my town because Black people weren't allowed to use the city public library. . After reading that, I was wondering how the library ended up being integrated, so when I heard about this book during a webinar last year, I wanted to read more about the segregation and desegregation of libraries.
There were a lot of things that struck me reading this book. One of them was how inconsistent segregation was. In some libraries, black people were not allowed in at all. In others, they were allowed to come in and read materials, but not to get library cards and take materials home. In still others, they were allowed to check items out, usually by coming to a back door and making their request, but not to enter the library or browse the shelves. It was also interesting to me that sit-ins started at libraries as early as the 1930s, I had always associated the beginning of the sit-in movement with the Greensboro Four in 1960. When libraries were forced to integrate, many of them started with a stand-up model by removing all furniture to keep too much close contact between white and black patrons, which seemed a bit ridiculous.
The book is organized loosely by state. There wasn't much regarding North Carolina libraries, which I was hoping for, but apparently the desegregation efforts here were mostly quiet which was not the case with other states. The authors showed various ways that libraries were desegregated, usually through protest of the black community, but also through some library directors and administrators quietly making the decision to desegregate. Some protests became violent and many protesters were arrested. Some cities decided to close their libraries instead of desegregating. The authors were not afraid to show the dark side of the library profession, most librarians in these pages are not heroes. For a nonfiction and academic book, it is written in a very engaging way and I am glad to learn more about this history.
I highly recommend this book to everyone, especially those in the library profession. It is a humbling look at how libraries, librarians, and library associations contributed to the culture of white supremacy, and will hopefully help us take a look at how we are still contributing to systemic racism.
CW: guns, hate groups (KKK, White Citizens' Councils), incarceration, murder, police brutality, racist language/slurs, violence (describes beatings and other tactics used against protesters)
who risked their lives to desegregate
Jim Crow public libraries
in the American South.
A sadly belated "Thank you."
In the first half of the 20th century, Southern public libraries were segregated just like every other business and public building in the South. Separate, but equal was a joke with most "colored" libraries poorly staffed with shelves stocked with weeded books from the white library, and that is if they even existed in the first place. In the 1950s and 1960s (and in one case even earlier), young Black activists sought out to desegregate libraries across the South to ensure that everyone would have access to information.
I had not given much thought to what libraries must have been like in the age of Jim Crow. Last year, I read a local history book, Portraits of the African-American Experience in Concord-Cabarrus, North Carolina 1860-2008, which mentioned the "colored" library that used to exist in my town because Black people weren't allowed to use the city public library. . After reading that, I was wondering how the library ended up being integrated, so when I heard about this book during a webinar last year, I wanted to read more about the segregation and desegregation of libraries.
There were a lot of things that struck me reading this book. One of them was how inconsistent segregation was. In some libraries, black people were not allowed in at all. In others, they were allowed to come in and read materials, but not to get library cards and take materials home. In still others, they were allowed to check items out, usually by coming to a back door and making their request, but not to enter the library or browse the shelves. It was also interesting to me that sit-ins started at libraries as early as the 1930s, I had always associated the beginning of the sit-in movement with the Greensboro Four in 1960. When libraries were forced to integrate, many of them started with a stand-up model by removing all furniture to keep too much close contact between white and black patrons, which seemed a bit ridiculous.
The book is organized loosely by state. There wasn't much regarding North Carolina libraries, which I was hoping for, but apparently the desegregation efforts here were mostly quiet which was not the case with other states. The authors showed various ways that libraries were desegregated, usually through protest of the black community, but also through some library directors and administrators quietly making the decision to desegregate. Some protests became violent and many protesters were arrested. Some cities decided to close their libraries instead of desegregating. The authors were not afraid to show the dark side of the library profession, most librarians in these pages are not heroes. For a nonfiction and academic book, it is written in a very engaging way and I am glad to learn more about this history.
I highly recommend this book to everyone, especially those in the library profession. It is a humbling look at how libraries, librarians, and library associations contributed to the culture of white supremacy, and will hopefully help us take a look at how we are still contributing to systemic racism.
CW: guns, hate groups (KKK, White Citizens' Councils), incarceration, murder, police brutality, racist language/slurs, violence (describes beatings and other tactics used against protesters)
August 12, 2021
This is an important resource for anyone who wants to delve into the topic of the desegregation of public libraries in America. Wiegand is an expert on library history, having written other books on the subject. This book was helpful to me in learning about the Black civil rights activists who fought to integrate libraries, many of which continued to be segregated even into the early '60s, long after Brown v. Board ('54) ruled "separate but equal" to be unconstitutional. Through the references and citations, I was able to find many original newspaper articles and other sources to further my research into the desegregation of libraries in Virginia, and Northern Virginia in particular.
One error I noticed, though - the book refers to W. Hale Thompson, who sued to desegregate the library of Newport News, VA, as a dentist (p. 31). W. Hale Thompson was an attorney, not a dentist. I think that was a mix-up with two dentists, Owens and Holley, who sued to desegregate the public library in Portsmouth, VA. (Holley later became the first Black Mayor of Portsmouth). Another quibble- Rev. Wyatt Walker's wife in Petersburg, VA, is listed only as Mrs. Walker. Her full name is Theresa Ann Walker and she was one of the Freedom Riders. She still lives in Virginia and has been interviewed in the press a few times recently.
Overall, however, this is an informative book that's easily readable by anyone with a general interest in the topic. The authors don't shy away from the fact that library associations did little to support the integration efforts of activists. I appreciate that the authors dedicated the book to the Black civil rights activists who pushed for integration, many of whom have not had much recognition and deserve to be celebrated now. Many of them were arrested for participating in sit-ins or spent their own money on legal battles. The appendix listing civil rights activists who participated in the movement (by region) is a great resource.
One error I noticed, though - the book refers to W. Hale Thompson, who sued to desegregate the library of Newport News, VA, as a dentist (p. 31). W. Hale Thompson was an attorney, not a dentist. I think that was a mix-up with two dentists, Owens and Holley, who sued to desegregate the public library in Portsmouth, VA. (Holley later became the first Black Mayor of Portsmouth). Another quibble- Rev. Wyatt Walker's wife in Petersburg, VA, is listed only as Mrs. Walker. Her full name is Theresa Ann Walker and she was one of the Freedom Riders. She still lives in Virginia and has been interviewed in the press a few times recently.
Overall, however, this is an informative book that's easily readable by anyone with a general interest in the topic. The authors don't shy away from the fact that library associations did little to support the integration efforts of activists. I appreciate that the authors dedicated the book to the Black civil rights activists who pushed for integration, many of whom have not had much recognition and deserve to be celebrated now. Many of them were arrested for participating in sit-ins or spent their own money on legal battles. The appendix listing civil rights activists who participated in the movement (by region) is a great resource.
July 4, 2018
This book by the Wiegands looks at the fight and process to desegregate libraries in the Jim Crow South. From the direct protests to the resistance from white people to how black organizations and people organized and the methods they used to force the change. We look at both integration that did not need direct action and those that did in particular cities and areas.
That's really what it covers. Like another review on Goodreads, the book doesn't really flow as a narrative, but rather as a series of case studies looking at how actions were similar/different as well as the responses. It feels like a bunch of anecdotes. That the authors are both professors probably has something to do it with: it's rather dry and academic reading.
Which in itself is not a problem but given what happened and the greater context of history it was disappointing. I really liked a look at a very specific issue and institution (the public library) but the execution definitely fell very flat. But given current events I'd say the information contained here might be a good resource for the near future.
Borrowed from the library but I certainly wouldn't rush out to read it.
That's really what it covers. Like another review on Goodreads, the book doesn't really flow as a narrative, but rather as a series of case studies looking at how actions were similar/different as well as the responses. It feels like a bunch of anecdotes. That the authors are both professors probably has something to do it with: it's rather dry and academic reading.
Which in itself is not a problem but given what happened and the greater context of history it was disappointing. I really liked a look at a very specific issue and institution (the public library) but the execution definitely fell very flat. But given current events I'd say the information contained here might be a good resource for the near future.
Borrowed from the library but I certainly wouldn't rush out to read it.
July 9, 2022
This book challenged me to consider how I contribute to the systemic racism in libraries. Yes. Libraries. We tend to idealized libraries and librarians. But the profession that champions free access has a long, painful history. De-segregating libraries was a long, difficult process. But ultimately paved the way for integration of other institutions and public spaces. We must not forget that at one time free access didn't extend to all Americans. And we must tell new professionals of this history that We might learn from the mistakes of the past.. This book dives into the history of segregation and the fight for integration in public libraries. The fight for equality and equity is far from over. It's important that as a profession, libraries are on the right side of history and meet words with actions.
June 8, 2018
While the Wiegand's have clearly done their research and present a wealth of information regarding the desegregation of public libraries in the south, the book reads like a variety of cut and paste anecdote. 2.5
good luck
good luck
March 29, 2019
This is a fantastic and comprehensive history of the desegregation of libraries, through activism and the courts. It features--among many other places--many Virginia public libraries in areas close to my heart.
Read
March 8, 2019027.475 W645 2018
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews