Freedom libraries

Freedom libraries[1] were the many community libraries—book collections staffed by volunteers and local residents—that came with the Freedom Schools set up during Freedom Summer, the 1964 campaign for voting rights and desegregation in the Southern United States.

History

The first freedom libraries were created by the Council of Federated Organizations (COFO).[2] Freedom libraries were often located in Freedom Schools or Community Centers.[3] During the summer of 1964, in Mississippi, around 50 freedom libraries were created, though there were libraries all around the country.[4][5]

Freedom libraries carried books "typical" of other American libraries, but also paid special attention to books about African American people or written by Black authors.[5][6] Freedom libraries were as large as 20,000 books, or small mobile libraries and many were created entirely with donated books.[7] These donations were often provided by volunteers from northeastern states.[8]

Freedom libraries faced numerous challenges, including vandalism, fire-bombing, and other acts of terrorism.[5] One bombing took place in October of 1964 in Vicksburg, destroying over 9,000 books.[9]

Impact

Civil Rights activist, Richard James, said that it was important for Black people to know about their own history.[10] For many African Americans, these libraries were the first time they had access to this information.[3]

References
  1. Selby, Mark (2019). Freedom Libraries. Lahman, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.
  2. Jackson, Ashawnta (2022-01-10). "Freedom Libraries and the Fight for Library Equity". JSTOR Daily. Retrieved 2022-04-07.
  3. "Local Civil Rights Memories Sought". Choctaw Plaindealer. 2006-09-06. p. 6. Retrieved 2022-04-07 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. Morrow, Ree (6 April 2022). "Exploring the Legacy of Freedom Libraries During National Library Week". The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. Retrieved 2022-04-07.
  5. Oringderff, Barbara (1966-06-25). "Libraries Not All Quiet; Have Exciting History". Garden City Telegram. p. 2. Retrieved 2022-04-07 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "GCM to Sponsor 'Freedom Library'". Delaware County Daily Times. 1965-08-07. p. 3. Retrieved 2022-04-07 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. Kaffer, Nancy (26 November 2006). "A Forgotten Piece of State History". Hattiesburg American. pp. 1A. Retrieved 7 April 2022 – via Newspapers.com. "History". pp. 9A.
  8. Cresswell, Stephen (1996). "The Last Days of Jim Crow in Southern Libraries". Libraries & Culture. 31 (3/4): 567. ISSN 0894-8631 – via JSTOR.
  9. "New Bombing Hits Rights Unit Center". The Baltimore Sun. 5 October 1964. p. 1. Retrieved 7 April 2022 – via Newspapers.com."Rights Group's House Hit in New Mississippi Blast". p. 3.
  10. Knesis, Barbara (1965-07-24). "Former Sit-In Stands Up to Aid GMC". Delaware County Daily Times. p. 21. Retrieved 2022-04-07 – via Newspapers.com.


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