Visibility Through Invisibility: Black Librarianship in the Early 20th Century

Co-sponsored by ABAA Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair and the Bibliographical Society of America

Speaker: Erica Ciallela, Instruction & Outreach Librarian, Schlesinger Library, Harvard

Belle da Costa Greene left a significant legacy in librarianship. While she was building the now-iconic collection at the Morgan Library, other Black librarians were also making their mark on the field. With their unique paths, individuals like Catherine Latimer and Dorothy Porter Wesley, alongside Belle Greene, contribute to the rich history of Black Librarianship in the early 20th century. Join librarian and former Belle da Costa Greene curatorial fellow Erica Ciallela as we discuss these librarians, explore how each left a legacy, and see how current librarians build on their foundations.