Segregation of Libraries in the Jim Crow South

Segregation of Libraries in the Jim Crow South. . As the fight for civil rights gained momentum in 1950's and into the 60's, most of the nation's attention focused on higher profile events and leaders of the movement. Meanwhile, smaller battles were being waged throughout the south where young Black people simply sought the rights to visit their local public libraries. During the Jim Crow era, some southern towns had designated libraries for Black patrons. That library in Gafney was the Carver Library, which was located on Petty Street. Libraries for Blacks usually had holdings that were worn-out, out-dated, or cast-offs from the main library. If a book was not available at the Carver Library, the librarian would go to the Carnegie Library, which was a block away, to request the selection. Source: Wayne and Shirley Wiegand-The Desegregation of Public Libraries in the Jim Crow South: Civil Rights and Local Activism, Alzenia Gore Gaffney 1893-1987 , A native of Chester, S.C., Ms. Azenia Gaffney was born on September 13, 1893 to the late James Robert Gore and the late Esther Washington Gore. She graduated from Benedict College in Columbia, SC, and was retired educator of the Cherokee County School District., Ms. Gaffney worked with the Federal Government as a WPA employee and served as Cherokee County Home Demonstration Agent. She was instrumental in creating the first library for blacks in Gaffney. Ms. Gaffney was the first librarian of the Carver Library which was housed in the Mason Hall on East Meadow Street., A member of Limestone Baptist church, Ms. Gaffney served as the church organist. She was married to Henry Blaine Gaffney Sr. and to their union three children were born. During her 93 years, Ms. Gaffney worked to improve the lives of individuals through reading., Helen Sarratt Rodgers 1923-1971 , A native of Gaffney, Ms. Helen Rodgers was the daughter of the late Selena Sarratt Haney and the late Spurgeon Sarratt., Ms. Rodgers was a member of Bethel Baptist Church where she served as secretary and teacher of the Sunday school, vice president of the usher board, and director of the junior missionary society. She also served as a Thickety Mountain Sunday School Youth Directress. Ms. Rodgers was Head Teacher of the Bethel Baptist Church kindergarten. It was later named the Helen S. Rodgers Kindergarten and Day Care Center., Ms. Rodgers was the librarian at Carver Library located on Petty Street. She established summer reading programs to motivate students., She was married to the late Wilbert H. Rodgers and to their union, four children were born. Ms. Rodgers' pleasant personality enabled her to encourage children to love reading., (captions) , Carver Library Reading Group under the direction of Ms. Helen S. Rodgers , First Black Library was located in the Limestone Mason Building under the Direction of the late Alzenia Gaffney. (Located on Glymph Street)