From Access Denied to Access Granted; The Legacy of a Library Card

    

 I will always remember my experiences at Spelman’s NSO week. The flurry of emotions, from nervousness about being left in a new city surrounded by unfamiliar people, to excitement about finally being on my own in college, and to feelings of nostalgia that my childhood is officially in the past. Towards the end of the week, I vividly remember meeting my NSO group outside of Lower Manley and introducing myself. After standing outside exchanging small talk for twenty minutes, we began walking to the AUC Woodruff Library. The main thoughts swirling around my head were “this is a far walk, I don’t know if I will be coming here often,” and “this library has so many nooks and crannies, I can’t even imagine where the best spot is to do work”. I walked around the tables that were set up and listened to the people behind them. Most of the tables focused on black history, specifically some of the history of Spelman. Eventually, I saw a line of people in front of the library counter. I was unsure of what they were doing or signing up for, but I could not find anything else to do, so I decided to join the line. Once I got to the front, I realized this was the line to obtain a library card. It was more similar to a barcode attached to the back of my student ID. My newly obtained library card, along with the information presented to me at the table, encouraged me to do some deep reflection. 

    Similar to any other public space, libraries were segregated until the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Even with those laws in place, some libraries were slow or even resistant to enacting the integration policies that were written in law. Some libraries attempted to find loopholes in the law by allowing black people access, but not offering them the same services and customs as white people. Just like any other place where injustice and racial bias restricted access to black people, protests and lawsuits occurred. As a result of the unfair treatment, Freedom libraries were established, which gave black people a space to read and check out books. Eventually, changes were made, and African Americans were granted the same rights as their white counterparts. Irene Dobbs Jackson, a Spelman College alumna, was the first black person to get their own library card from the Atlanta Public Library. She played an essential role in integrating public libraries across the country. 

The ability to make connections with my personal experiences helps me remain a well-rounded person, and also makes me grateful for the position I am in today. Due to the trailblazers of early times, I can walk into a library, apply for a library card, and legally not be denied based on my race. It is even more inspiring when individuals who helped pave the path to equality were in similar environments to mine. In this case, it would be Spelman College. To me, this library card means more than the physical ability to check out a book. It represents the knowledge and determination my community possessed to fight for the rights of people today.

By: Liana Brown