New York’s First Black Librarians Changed the Way We Read
How the women who ran libraries during the Harlem Renaissance built collections and, just as important, communities of writers and readers.
In the vibrant landscape of the Harlem Renaissance, a profound transformation took place within the New York Public Library system. On May 25, 1926, a monumental event unfolded when the library acquired Arturo Schomburg’s treasured collection of over 4,000 books, manuscripts, and artifacts. This acquisition followed the establishment of the first public collection dedicated to Black materials at the 135th Street branch in Harlem in 1925. Now known as the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, this branch became a beacon for Black intellectual and cultural life.
Schomburg, a renowned Afro-Latino bibliophile, had amassed a remarkable collection that became a cornerstone for the burgeoning Harlem Renaissance. His dedication to preserving Black history was encapsulated in his credo: “The American Negro must remake his past in order to make his future.” Schomburg’s library became a hub for Black writers and thinkers at a time when public libraries often ignored Black materials and patrons.
However, Schomburg’s vision needed champions to bring it to life. These champions were the Black librarians who, starting in the early 20th century, played crucial roles in building collections and fostering communities. Women like Regina Andrews and Catherine Latimer, among the first Black women to attend library school, were instrumental in this mission. They developed innovative methods to catalog and preserve Black literature, often battling censorship and creating new classification systems to ensure Black materials were accessible.
Regina Andrews, a young librarian from Chicago, joined the 135th Street library in 1923. She transformed her apartment into a cultural salon, known as Dream Haven, where Harlem Renaissance luminaries like Langston Hughes and Alain Locke gathered. Andrews and her colleagues recognized the importance of providing a space for Black writers and readers, ensuring that the library was not just a repository of books but a vibrant community hub.
Catherine Latimer, the first curator of the Division of Negro Literature, History, and Prints at the 135th Street branch, created essential indexes and catalogs that made Black literature discoverable. Her work, alongside that of Dorothy Porter at Howard University, laid the foundation for a Black intellectual infrastructure.
These pioneering librarians were more than custodians of books; they were architects of a cultural renaissance. Their efforts ensured that Black literature was preserved, accessible, and celebrated. Today, figures like Schomburg and these dedicated women are recognized as the builders of a legacy that continues to inspire and educate.
The contributions of these trailblazing librarians are a testament to their vision and dedication, highlighting the essential role of libraries in shaping communities and preserving cultural heritage. Their legacy lives on in institutions like the Schomburg Center, which continues to be a vital resource for exploring and understanding Black culture and history. These initiatives had a lasting impact, enriching America’s cultural landscape for generations to come. Dive into this fascinating history and celebrate their legacy!
