1924- Vivian Gordon Harsh, became the Chicago Public Library System's First Black Librarian

Title

1924- Vivian Gordon Harsh, became the Chicago Public Library System's First Black Librarian

Description

"Vivian Gordon Harsh was the first African American librarian in the Chicago Public Library system and a significant contributor to Chicago's Black Renaissance.  In 1932 she was appointed head librarian of the George Cleveland Hall Branch, the city’s first library built in an African American community. During her career, Harsh developed a black history collection that would become a world-renowned resource for residents and scholars. Harsh and Charlemae Rollins, a children’s librarian, developed the branch’s substantial African American resources along with programming specifically for the black community. The collection began with over 100 books on African-Americana donated by George Bentley, founder of the Chicago branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).  Operating in the 1920s without funding from the Chicago Public Library, Harsh expanded the collection through private donations and her personal contributions."

Creator

Chicago Public Library

Date

No date given

Source

https://www.chicagotribune.com/resizer/QC0yURhCZ1mg6JQELUVTg_88YdE=/415x663/top/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-tronc.s3.amazonaws.com/public/IENVG7K5UFGVTP4HVXMJNU7JIA.jpg

Rights

Source: Harsh, Vivian Gordon. (n.d.). The Black Past. Retrieved October 12, 2012, from http://bit.ly/RTKUsf

Publisher

Chicago Public Library

Contributor

Chicago Public Library

Format

Medium: Photograph

Language

English

Type

Figures

Identifier

Vivian Gordon Harsh, African-American, Women, Librarian, Black History

Coverage

Historic

Files

viviangordon.jpg

Reference

Chicago Public Library, 1924- Vivian Gordon Harsh, became the Chicago Public Library System's First Black Librarian, Chicago Public Library, No date given

Cite As

Chicago Public Library, “1924- Vivian Gordon Harsh, became the Chicago Public Library System's First Black Librarian,” Virtual Museum of Public Service, accessed March 29, 2024, https://vmps.omeka.net/items/show/268.