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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, Apr 28 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Apr 29 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Apr 30 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, May 01 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, May 02 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, May 03 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, May 04 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, May 01, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Schedule time with a librarian on Thursday mornings to receive help with applications. Appointments are available at 10 AM and 11 AM. Please call 703-746-1721 to schedule an appointment.

Thu, May 01, 11:00am - 11:40am
First Floor
Practice your alphabet with stories, songs, yoga and more! Ages 2 and Up.

Thu, May 01, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Second Floor
Join Barrett Branch’s knitting and crochet group making items to donate.

Sat, May 03, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
First Floor
An All Alexandria Reads adventure! Lots and lots of Star Wars Lego for ages 6-12..

Mon, May 05, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Second Floor
Make new friends and play board games and tabletop games at the library!

Tue, May 06, 10:00am - 11:30am
Outdoors
Let's get some fresh air, explore Old Town, and talk about the books we've been reading!

Cancelled
Tue, May 06, 11:00am - 11:40am
Just right for ages 0-23 months. Songs, games, movement activities, and bubbles.

Tue, May 06, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Barrett Library has a volunteer available on Tuesdays to help with computer and technologies use. Please call 703-746-1721 to schedule an appointment.

Tue, May 06, 6:15pm - 7:15pm
Second Floor
Bring a book or chose from one of ours and join in a quiet, low-tech reading time. This month's theme: Asian American and Jewish American authors.

Wed, May 07, 11:00am - 12:00pm
First Floor
Fun activities just for infants ages 0-12 months.

Thu, May 08, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Schedule time with a librarian on Thursday mornings to receive help with applications. Appointments are available at 10 AM and 11 AM. Please call 703-746-1721 to schedule an appointment.

Thu, May 08, 11:00am - 11:40am
First Floor
Practice your alphabet with stories, songs, yoga and more! Ages 2 and Up.

Thu, May 08, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Second Floor
The Barrett Branch Mahjong group meets the second and fourth Thursdays of the month. Space is available for up to 12 players, so it's first come first served as game tables fill.

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