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Image for event: Public in Name Only

Public in Name Only

The 1939 Alexandria Library Sit-In Demonstration

2022-10-01 13:00:00 2022-10-01 14:00:00 America/New_York Public in Name Only Join author Brenda Mitchell-Powell as she discusses her recent publication "Public in Name Only." The talk will take place on the 2nd floor of the Barrett Library. Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Second Floor

Saturday, October 01
1:00pm - 2:00pm

Add to Calendar 2022-10-01 13:00:00 2022-10-01 14:00:00 America/New_York Public in Name Only Join author Brenda Mitchell-Powell as she discusses her recent publication "Public in Name Only." The talk will take place on the 2nd floor of the Barrett Library. Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Second Floor

Join author Brenda Mitchell-Powell as she discusses her recent publication "Public in Name Only." The talk will take place on the 2nd floor of the Barrett Library.

When Alexandria, Virginia's first public library was constructed just a few blocks from his home, Samuel Wilbert Tucker, a young, Black attorney, was appalled to learn that he could not use the library because of his race. Inspired by the legal successes of the NAACP in discrimination cases, he organized a grassroots protest to desegregate the library that his tax dollars supported.

Public in Name Only tells the important, but largely forgotten, story of Tucker and a group of Black citizens who agitated for change in the terms and conditions of their lives. Employing the combined strategies of direct-action public protest, nonviolent civil disobedience, and municipal litigation, Tucker's initiative dovetailed with the national priorities and tactics of larger civil rights organizations. While Tucker's campaign did not end with the desegregation of the Alexandria Library, but instead resulted in the creation of a “separate-and-unequal" Jim Crow Black branch, the sit-in demonstration represents a momentous early struggle for racial equity waged through civil rights activism.

Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library

jcahill@alexlibraryva.org
Phone: 703.746.1703
Fax: 703.746.1708

Hours
Mon, Jan 13 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Jan 14 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Jan 15 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, Jan 16 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, Jan 17 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, Jan 18 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Jan 19 1:00PM to 5:00PM

About the branch

Parking: No library parking lot.  Street parking is available.  A paid parking lot is available on the 100 block of North Alfred Street. 

Public Transit:

  • Metrorail: Yellow and Blue lines at Braddock Road (1 mile) and King Street Stations (1.1 miles). 
  • Metrobus: 10A/B, 11C
  • DASH Bus: 30, 31, Old Town Circulator
  • King Street Trolley:  King & Columbus

For reasonable disability accommodation, contact jgregorio@alexlibraryva.org or call 703.746.1701 or TTY 703.746.1790.

Upcoming Events

Wed, Jan 15, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Fun activities just for infants ages 0-12 months.

Thu, Jan 16, 11:00am - 11:40am
First Floor
Practice your alphabet with stories, songs, yoga and more! Ages 2 and Up.

Thu, Jan 16, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Second Floor
Join Barrett Branch’s knitting and crochet group making items to donate.

Sat, Jan 18, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Come play Dungeons & Dragons. No experience necessary. Open to ages 8-13.
This event is full

Tue, Jan 21, 11:00am - 11:40am
First Floor
Fun that's just right for ages 0-23 months. Songs, games, movement activities, and bubbles.

Tue, Jan 21, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Barrett Library has a volunteer available on Tuesdays to help with computer and technologies use. Appointments are available at 5 PM and 6 PM. Please call 703-746-1721 to schedule an appointment.

Wed, Jan 22, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Fun activities just for infants ages 0-12 months.

Thu, Jan 23, 11:00am - 11:40am
First Floor
Practice your alphabet with stories, songs, yoga and more! Ages 2 and Up.

Thu, Jan 23, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Second Floor
The Barrett Branch Mahjong group meets the second and fourth Thursdays of the month from 2 - 4 PM on the second floor. Accommodation is for 12 players so first come first served if more than 12.