Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1930-11-08
Pioneer Negro Librarian To Speak AT
Fisk University's Library Dedication

NASHVILLE, lSllilSooSS,
1s3O.-Thomas F. Blue, foremost
librarian today and founder of the
first Negro public library IN the
world, will be one of the principal
sneakers on the Negro Library Con-
ference program iii connection wltn
the dedication of the new library
building at Fisk University NoVem'
Der goth to 29rd.
On the sixth of November LOUIS,
Vile will celebrate the twenty-ffts,
anniversary of the establishment OF
it's colored branch library system
which was organized in 1905 by Mr.
Blue and Mrs. Rachel Harris. An I'M
pressive program, to which the Mayo.i
of Louisville as we'll as many proml'
nent citizens will contribute, promis
es to memorabilia this event IN the
chronicles of the city. 1t will be a
fitting tribute to quarter of CEN
tury of constructive work by these
two librarians, Mr.. Blue and Mrs
Harris.
Mr.. Blue has figured prominently
in professional activities among
librarians for some time. After
graduating from Hampton Institute,
Mr.. Blue entered into Y. M. Z. a
work until the appropriation for a
Carnegie library was announced: IN
1905. the Western Colored Branch OF
the Louisville Public Library issued
it's first book to a reader and thus In
augurated public library service to
Negroes. Under Mr.. Blues admins
tration the library grew in popularl'
ty so rapidly that it was soon neces,
sary to build second branch to meet
The demand for service.
Today, there are three coloored
branches in Louisville, fifteen class
room Libraries and nearly one nun
ed collections on deposit in various
parts of the city and county. All OF
his work is under Mr.. Blues direc-
ton and represents the fullest lie
AIRY service given to Negroes in any
city in the country.
Mr.. Blue has played a prominent
mart in the associations and confer
ences of librarians. AS a member 81
The American Library Association ne
has contributed frequently on pro-
fessional topics. At the Hampton con
ference in 1917 he was one OF the
chief speakers at the library meet
ing. Because of his Identification witt
the whole library development pro-
gram, Mr.. Blue was asked to become
member of the Committee spon
soring the Negro Library Conference
at Fisk University along with Miss
Tommie Dora Barker, Regional Flelt
Agent for the South of the American
Library Association, Miss Florence
R. Curtis, Director of the Hampton
Library School, Miss Ernestine Rose
of the New York Public Library
Miss Charlotte Templeton, President
of the Southeastern Library Assocla
ten and Louis Shores, Librarian o.
Tisk University.
Mr.. Blue will act as chairman O
the Negro Literature Friday evenlnt
November 21st when Arthur a
schomburg and Monroe N. Work VII
contribute papers on Negro blbiio
graphy. On Saturday morning Mt vi.
Blue will contribute to the Pubic
Library meeting a paper on "Arous
ing Community Interest.
Advance indications are that re
preventative gathering of librarian
from all over the country will be pre-
sent for the Conference and dedlca
tion. and Fisk University is prepar
inc to play host to them in CRANE
style. Certain it is that these hp :s
rians will see one of the most I'm
pressive library structures in Ia
country and hear some highly wortl
while professional discussions o
their daily problems.