THE ROOTS OF COMMUNITY

Segregated Carnegie Libraries as Spaces for Learning and Community-Making
in Pre-Civil Rights America, 1900-65

Project Director:
Dr. Matthew Griffis, rootsofcommunitycontact@gmail.com

Abstract: Based on archival methods as well as newly completed oral history interviews, the Roots of Community project explores how twelve Carnegie-funded public libraries in the South served as places of interaction, learning, and community-making for African Americans in the days of Jim Crow. These institutions opened in eight states between 1908 and 1924 and were funded by Andrew Carnegie’s library development program of the early twentieth century.

Table of Contents:
Project Overview and Partners
Library Profiles and Resources
Oral History Archive
Publications and Other Resources
Communications

This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, grant #RE-31-16-0044-16.
The views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed on this project website, including but not limited to any of the publications or resources hosted herein, do not necessarily represent those of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

© 2019-2021 Matthew Griffis

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