Library Administration

As a child, she was only able to check out books from a “colored” library within her segregated town. As an adult, she was eventually in charge of 11 regional libraries within a large city while promoting literacy programs for children of all ethnicities. 

FAMILY BACKGROUND

HM was born the fourth of five children.

CHILDHOOD INTERESTS

As a child born in the ‘Deep South’ when racial segregation was still widespread, HM only had access to the “colored” library, located on top of a fish market in her hometown. Her limited access to books never dissuaded HM from climbing the library steps to sign out as many books as she could carry home. 

EDUCATION

Always a dedicated student through elementary, middle and high school days, HM enrolled in a state university, where she continued her interest in literature, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree. Later, she earned a Master’s degree in library science. 

CAREER COMMENCES

HM began her career within ‘library science’ as a children’s librarian within a large city’s library system. Her easy-going personality made her a hit with the youngsters. “Their little faces lit up with delight when she read stories to them,” said a friend and former colleague. 

CAREER DEDICATION LEADS TO PROMOTIONS

Ten years after starting as a children’s librarian in one building, HM was tasked with opening a new, regional library within the city’s library system. The facility was hailed for its state-of-the-art collection of Black history books, which HM had personally selected to add to the collection. 

The success of the regional library led to HM’s promotion to Area Administrator, where she was in charge of operations for 11 regional libraries. Eventually, HM was promoted to Chief of Neighborhood Libraries and developed a cooperative satellite program with a university, which provided clerical workers the opportunity to earn Master’s degrees in library science. 

CAREER SATISFACTION

Colleagues noted that HM “was passionate about providing services for all patrons.” One of her most notable accomplishments was helping to spearhead the “Changing Lives Campaign” – a $67 million capital project that paid for the renovation of the city’s 54 libraries, installed personal computers, and expanded children’s literacy programs.