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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, Nov 27 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Nov 28 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Nov 29 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, Nov 30 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, Dec 01 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, Dec 02 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Dec 03 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

Thu, Nov 30, 11:00am - 11:35am
Stories, songs, movement and more in a story time for ages 2+

Thu, Nov 30, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Second Floor
Barrett is starting a Mahjong group using the American rules developed from the ancient Chinese game. Meetings will be from 2-4 PM on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month. Registration required.
Registration is now closed

Fri, Dec 01, All day
Don't spend money on more wrapping paper! Create beautifully wrapped gifts that will marvel your loved ones and spare the Earth. Get a kit at the Kate Waller Barrett Branch beginning December 1 - 23.

Sat, Dec 02, All day
Don't spend money on more wrapping paper! Create beautifully wrapped gifts that will marvel your loved ones and spare the Earth. Get a kit at the Kate Waller Barrett Branch beginning December 1 - 23.

Sat, Dec 02, 10:00am - 4:00pm
Come browse and buy from a large slection of books, DVDs and CDs at the Friends of the Barrett Branch Library bi-annual book sale.

Sat, Dec 02, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Second Floor
Dr. Cabrero's memoir shares her experiences with silence and the sanctuaries and kindred spirits she found in her travels around the world inspired by Vietnamese Peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh.

Sun, Dec 03, All day
Don't spend money on more wrapping paper! Create beautifully wrapped gifts that will marvel your loved ones and spare the Earth. Get a kit at the Kate Waller Barrett Branch beginning December 1 - 23.

Mon, Dec 04, All day
Don't spend money on more wrapping paper! Create beautifully wrapped gifts that will marvel your loved ones and spare the Earth. Get a kit at the Kate Waller Barrett Branch beginning December 1 - 23.

Mon, Dec 04, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
First Floor
Make a card for Hanukkah, Christmas, or just to celebrate winter. All materials supplied. Ages 6-12

Tue, Dec 05, All day
Don't spend money on more wrapping paper! Create beautifully wrapped gifts that will marvel your loved ones and spare the Earth. Get a kit at the Kate Waller Barrett Branch beginning December 1 - 23.

Tue, Dec 05, 11:00am - 11:35am
First Floor
Songs,stories. games, movement and more for our littlest friends. Ages 0-23 months

Tue, Dec 05, 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.

Tue, Dec 05, 7:00pm - 7:45pm
Second Floor
Make an adorable birdseed ornament that celebrates the season and provides needed nourishment for our outdoor feathered friends.

Wed, Dec 06, All day
Don't spend money on more wrapping paper! Create beautifully wrapped gifts that will marvel your loved ones and spare the Earth. Get a kit at the Kate Waller Barrett Branch beginning December 1 - 23.

Thu, Dec 07, All day
Don't spend money on more wrapping paper! Create beautifully wrapped gifts that will marvel your loved ones and spare the Earth. Get a kit at the Kate Waller Barrett Branch beginning December 1 - 23.

Thu, Dec 07, 11:00am - 11:40am
Stories, songs, movement and more for ages 2+

Thu, Dec 07, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Second Floor
Join Barrett Branch’s knitting and crochet group making items to donate.

Fri, Dec 08, All day
Don't spend money on more wrapping paper! Create beautifully wrapped gifts that will marvel your loved ones and spare the Earth. Get a kit at the Kate Waller Barrett Branch beginning December 1 - 23.

Sat, Dec 09, All day
Don't spend money on more wrapping paper! Create beautifully wrapped gifts that will marvel your loved ones and spare the Earth. Get a kit at the Kate Waller Barrett Branch beginning December 1 - 23.

Sun, Dec 10, All day
Don't spend money on more wrapping paper! Create beautifully wrapped gifts that will marvel your loved ones and spare the Earth. Get a kit at the Kate Waller Barrett Branch beginning December 1 - 23.