Memorial Hall Library

Not free, not for all, public libraries in the age of Jim Crow, Cheryl Knott

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages 267-304) and index

illustrations

index present

non fiction

Not free, not for all

bibliography

910596088

Cheryl Knott

Studies in print culture and the history of the book

public libraries in the age of Jim Crow

Americans tend to imagine their public libraries as time-honored advocates of equitable access to information for all. Through much of the twentieth century, however, many Black Americans were denied access to public libraries or allowed admittance only to separate and smaller buildings and collections. While scholars have examined and continue to uncover the history of school segregation, there has been much less research published on the segregation of public libraries in the Jim Crow South. In fact, much of the writing on public library history has failed to note these racial exclusions. In Not Free, Not for All, Cheryl Knott traces the establishment, growth, and eventual demise of separate public libraries for African Americans in the South, disrupting the popular image of the American public library as historically welcoming readers from all walks of life

The culture of print in a context of racism -- Carnegie public libraries for African Americans -- Solidifying segregation -- Faltering systems -- Change and continuity -- Erecting libraries, constructing race -- Books for Black readers -- Reading the race-based library -- Opening access