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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
Branch manager
James Cahill

Hours
Mon, Jul 07 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Jul 08 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Jul 09 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, Jul 10 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, Jul 11 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, Jul 12 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Jul 13 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, Jul 09, 11:00am - 12:00pm
First Floor
Songs, games, yoga and more,just for infants ages 0-12 months.

Wed, Jul 09, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Second Floor
Let's paint at the library! Follow along to instructions to create the monthly painting or create your own unique work of art!

Thu, Jul 10, 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, Jul 10, 11:00am - 11:30am
First Floor
Our favorite family of puppeteers is back for another show. Ages 2+

Thu, Jul 10, 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.

Thu, Jul 10, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Second Floor
Looking to join a Dungeons and Dragons group? Look no further!
This event is full

Sat, Jul 12, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Second Floor
Need more books to fill your SummerQuest logs? Look no further!

Sat, Jul 12, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Second Floor
Join us to work on your book journal and share with others what you've added and read!

Mon, Jul 14, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Barrett Virtual Room
Please join Let's Talk Books to read and discuss "The Friend" by Sigrid Nunez.Register

Tue, Jul 15, 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.

Wed, Jul 16, 11:00am - 12:00pm
First Floor
Songs, games, yoga and more,just for infants ages 0-12 months.

Wed, Jul 16, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
First Floor
Meet and learn about reptiles. Ages 6+

Thu, Jul 17, 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, Jul 17, 10:30am - 11:30am
Outdoors
Playtime with bubbles, sidewalk chalk and more. Ages 2+

Thu, Jul 17, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Second Floor
Join Barrett Branch’s knitting and crochet group making items to donate.

Sat, Jul 19, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Come play Dungeons & Dragons. No experience necessary. Open to ages 8-13.
This event is full