The Black Librarian in America Revisited [Hardcover]

E. J. Josey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1994 | ISBN-10: 0810828308 | ISBN-13: 978-0810828308

This sequel to The Black Librarian in America (Scarecrow, 1970) contains an array of contributors representing a new generation of African American librarians, addressing the same perplexing problems that their predecessors examined. This volume is being issued at a time when there is a great concern about cultural diversity in the country. Cultural diversity is laudable, but the pervasive problem in the country is institutional racism. All of the contributors aggree that it is racism that should be eradicated if a truly multicultural society that represents cultural diversity is to develop.

A wide range of topics are explored. In addition, a profile of Dorothy Porter Wesley, one of the pioneer African American librarians; librarians and archivists as writers, and a provocative essay by Congresswoman Major R. Owens on "The Specter of Racism in an Age of Cultural Diversity: The New Paradigm for African American Librarians." Among the contributors are Carolyn O. Frost, Herman L. Totten, Carla Hayden, Charles M. Brown, Alexander Boyd, Jesse Carney Smith, James F Williams,II, Lou Helen Saunders, Ina A. Brown, Vivian Davidson Hewitt, Monteria Hightower, Ella Gaines Yates, and Ann Allen Shockley.

Especially designed for professional librarians, library school students, and other information professionals, this volume would be a useful addition to African American collections and other scholarly collections dealing with American society. A copious index that is cross referenced makes it very useful as a reference tool.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

In 1970, The Black Librarian in America (Professional Reading, LJ 3/15/71) was published. Now, more than 20 years later, this "revisit" by 30 African American librarians, of whom only 11 were contributors to the original work, provide a wealth of historical and biographical information for the library and information science profession. This is not just another book about librarians, about African Americans, or about the specter of racism that still hovers over American society despite claims of multiculturalism. It is instead a thoughtful look at how black librarians have achieved personal and professional goals in spite of overwhelming obstacles. It is about incidents in library history that affect the entire profession. Divided into five sections with an introduction by E.J. Josey, this generous volume represents voices from library education, public libraries, academic libraries, special libraries and information centers, and state libraries. Contributors include such notables as Herman Totten ("The Role of African Americans in the Accreditation Process of the American Library Association's Committee on Accreditation"), Carla Hayden ("New Approaches to Black Recruitment"), Ann Allen Schockley ("Librarians, Archivists, and Writers: A Personal Perspective"), Ella Gaines Yates ("Reflections of a Former State Librarian," and Mary Lenox ("Reflections of a Dean"). The essays cover a wide range of topics, from Congressman Major R. Owens's suggestions for a new paradigm for African American librarians to a very useful article on the information needs of blacks in the prison system. While many of the essays are biographical in nature, it must be remembered that these were written by individuals who have often made significant impact on the profession, on the American Library Association, on library education, and other areas. These biographies in most cases will not be found in other sources. Whether or not a library has the original edition, this collection of poignant and hopeful words of encouragement must be included in all general and library science collections.
- Angela Washington-Blair, Dallas
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

...an outstanding job of detailing directly, the challenges that black librarians still face and, indirectly, the challenges of trying to recruit and retain minorities.... (Wilson Library Bulletin )

Josey has presented the opportunity for us to bring our heads out of the sand and confront what has changed very little in two decades. (Journal Of Academic Librarianship )

...timely recommendations on a variety of issues....This book is highly recommended for libraries of all types and library and information science collections. (Rq )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 390 pages
• Publisher: Scarecrow Press (June 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810828308
• ISBN-13: 978-0810828308
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,733,724 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Resource!, April 9, 2011

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Shelley (Indianapolis, IN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Black Librarian in America Revisited (Hardcover)

"The Black Librarian in America Revisited" like it's predecessor "The Black Librarian in America" is wonderful, excellent, and well-written volume on the history, education, recruitment, accomplishments, and struggles of African American librarians. With essays by notable pioneers such as Dr. E. J. Josey, Carla Hayden, Jessie Carney Smith, Casper LeRoy Jordan, and Major R. Owens, the "Black Librarian in America Revisited" is must have for all library science students and librarians regardless of race or color.