African American Library,
a multi-cultural vision of democracy.

The necessity of “unique” libraries is essential to the multicultural vision of democracy in advocating for free and easy access of information and the first amendment; the foundation of the public library. In the wake of President Barak Obama’s re-election, the national conversation about the racial demographic shift and receding racial dominance headlined in the national news feed. In this climate one would wonder why the necessity of multicultural-ism and unique patronage of “special groups.” A fellow student in one of my library science classes asked in an online discussion forum whether anyone can use the African American Museum and Library; I was confused as to why a person would question whether access would be denied simply because they were not African American. Is there a myth about “unique” groups that need proper understanding of its relevance and contributions to the multicultural unity, we call United States of America? The library institution did not always provide access to all and as now, is the arbiter of its current cultural voice. In the past African Americans historically were denied access to many constitutional and human rights, even in the library.

Carnegie Negro Library

Past Relevance (History of African American libraries)

In “A Brief History of Library Service to African Americans” the authors took a rare look into the contribution of library development and access for African Americans. It was insightful and revealing of progress of human rights and democracy.  Governed by law and the constitution the library has a history of democratic evolution, in step with the “mood” of the dominant society.

“An informed citizenry is the pillar of any democracy.” (Tyckoson)

An oppressive government and society knows the power of knowledge, so it’s not surprising that a law was created to enforce illiteracy among people of color, namely the enslaved masses toiling in the Southern states. Also, in the Northern states African Americans were not allowed in public libraries. “The direct result of the antebellum policies was that by 1900, over half of America’s black population, 90% of whom had remained in the South after slavery ended, could not read and write, according to Pamela Spence Richards in “Library Services and the African American Intelligentsia before 1960.”” The formation of Negro Libraries and book clubs arise primarily in major cities in the north, “more than 50 African American literary and library societies were founded… one notable example is the Philadelphia Library Company of Colored Persons… cofounded… by…a white cotton broker and free –born African American woman…”(Johnson-Houston and Wheeler)

Members of an African American library club. (Early 1900s in Soho Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh) Photo from A Portfolio of Carnegie Libraries by Theodore Wesley Koch 

(Ann Arbor: George Wahr, 1907).

In 1896, the “Jim Crow” laws was legally established, what is known also as the  “separate but equal.” This set the groundwork for segregated public libraries. It wasn’t until 1954 with the court decision of Brown vs Board of Education that libraries were mandated to uphold the first amendment. It would take many more years before the law was enforced through protest and cultural revolutionaries.

In 1964, merely walking into a ‘whites’ only library was breaking the law as five African American men did in Clinton, Louisiana to request a book. They were asked to leave and in protest, they refused to leave. They were arrested for “breach of peace” statue but their conviction overturned and found by the Supreme Court justices to be in violation of their First Amendment rights of free speech and free assembly. (Richie)

The Civil Rights movement was in full swing and libraries were also a part of the revolution. Meanwhile, African Americans were establishing libraries and creating a mood of “Black Pride,” to counter the many centuries of oppressive and negative mindsets in reference to racial heritage. Historically Black Colleges provided higher education because other institutions of higher learning were not available to African Americans. The initiative came primarily from “African American churches [that] ran their own elementary and secondary education for southern blacks, preparing them for vocations or advanced studies.” (Purnell) Within these institutions, libraries began the work of uncovering the (true) history of African Americans and distributing this valuable information. This is the sentiment behind the phrase, “Black Power.” The power of knowledge and identity was one of the motivations of African American libraries as well providing access to information needed in attaining education.

A noteworthy fact according to Hannah Purnell, in The History of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, “Students who attend HBCUs graduate with greater frequency than African American students at predominantly white universities, and these students get more academic and social support. HBCUs must be protected because they are not only an important part of our history, but also an important part of our future.” Here is a list of prominent HBCUs: Spelman, Morehouse, Florida A & M, Spelman, Clark Atlanta, Howard, Xavier, Hampton, and Tuskegee. In addition, private funds from foundations such as the Carnegie Foundation provided monies to these libraries in the early 1900s. Libraries also played a role in preserving unique library collections and exhibitions of African Americans and the legacy of a culture that built itself. This is another part of American history that isn’t widely known because it’s not taught in most American schools. Today there some libraries other than African American libraries that include special and in-depth collections, as well.

Current relevance of African American libraries’ mission

Each library’s mission has unique aspects. Regardless of the history of African Americans and particularly because of the past, the purpose and mission of African American libraries are relevant beyond the Black History month in February. The purpose of intellectual freedom and access to information freely have historical and current context. A few examples of the contributions are illustrated below:

Enoch Pratt Free Library in partnership with National Association of Black Storytellers and the Griots’ Circle - In a national effort to promote and revive the traditional Griot style storytelling, the Enoch Pratt Free Library in partnership with National Association of Black Storytellers and the Griots’ Circle of Maryland played an vital role in presenting the events in school libraries and in their local branches. “Our Family Tells Stories” was the theme — giving life to folklore, community stories and historical tales. (Butler)

Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture - The Schomburg Center promotes the study of the histories and cultures of peoples of African descent and interprets its collections through exhibitions, publications, and educational, scholarly and cultural programs. Holdings can be accessed through mail and telephone reference services, participation in national computerized databases, and publication of bibliographies. This impressive collection can be accessed at the Schomburg:

•      Art and Artifacts Division
•      General Research and Reference Division
•      Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division
•      Moving Image and Recorded Sound Division
•      Photographs and Prints Division 

African-American business community - African American libraries contribute support and connection for the African-American business community through innovative programs and services as an economic bridge, which is an integral role in the local community, primarily in providing small-business expertise to its users.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities Library Alliance - In local and community outreach, with dwindling library services in the public libraries due to fiscal issues students are allowed to use the [campus] library.  In addition classes are offered “on how to research for the high school students. (HBCU Library Alliance)

Untitled. Leon K. Hughes Photography Collection and Exhibition.

Spencer Research Library at the University of Kansas and partnership with Kansas African American Museum in Wichita, Kansas - Another aspect is perspective that is fully developed and has detailed context. It’s important for a cultural identity to be told from their unique point of view.  As an archivist for KU Libraries, Deborah Dandridge collaborated with Kansas African American Museum in presenting Leon K. Hughes Photography Collection and Exhibition for online viewing that can be found in the Spencer Research Library at the University of Kansas. "Most people see pictures of African-Americans that are unanchored from family and community or in a protest mode," Dandrige said. (Biles)

Purpose

The African American cultural heritage is finally uncovering the history which was disregarded, “hidden,” or simply forgotten due to institutional and cultural systems that was privileged to so. It is 2012 and the racial “gap” has been topic of discussion in the headlines throughout cyberspace and print during the U.S. presidential election. Many proclaim President Obama’s cultural and racial heritage wasn’t the issue, but… Regardless of the many accomplishments so far, of a few firsts, there is a necessity to have libraries with a specific dedication, such as the mission of the HBCU Library Alliance — “We serve the unique and indispensable role as gatekeepers for history, culture and the African American experience,” this vision is essential to the multicultural vision of democracy in the library and all are welcome.

African American related interests:

African-American Research Library and Cultural Center –http://www.broward.org/Library/LocationsHours/Branches/Pages/AA.aspx

• Literary collections of African-American authors
• Books and artifacts from Africa, the Caribbean, and North/South America

Special collections –http://www.broward.org/Library/AARLCCSpecialCollections/Pages/Default.aspx

Historical Black College and University Libraries – 
    http://hbculibraries.org/
The HBCU Library Alliance is a consortium that supports the collaboration of information professionals dedicated to providing an array of resources designed to strengthen Historically Black Colleges and Universities and their constituents.

The Leon K. Hughes online collection -http://luna.ku.edu:8180/luna/servlet/kuluna01kui~16~16

Leon K. Hughes collection exhibition –
    http://liblamp.vm.ku.edu/omeka/exhibits/show/leonhughes

Library of Congress
   http://www.africanamericanhistorymonth.gov/collections.html

Michigan State Libraries » Guides » African American Studies Research Guide -   http://libguides.lib.msu.edu/africanamericans

Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture -  
http://www.nypl.org/locations/schomburg

University of Washington Libraries guide   http://www.lib.washington.edu/subject/History/tm/black.html