Clarence R. Graham

Clarence Reginald "Skip" Graham (February 28, 1907 – January 28, 1989)[1] was a prominent librarian and leader in the profession. He was president of the American Library Association from 1950 to 1951.[2]

Clarence R. Graham
President of the American Library Association
In office
1950–1951
Preceded byMilton E. Lord
Succeeded byLoleta Dawson Fyan
Personal details
Born
Clarence Reginald Graham

(1907-02-28)February 28, 1907
Louisville, Kentucky, US
DiedJanuary 28, 1989(1989-01-28) (aged 81)
Louisville, Kentucky, US
NationalityAmerican
OccupationLibrarian

Graham served as director of the Louisville Public Library for 35 years (1942–1977). In 1952, under his leadership, the Louisville Free Public Library became the first public library in the South to open its main library to African Americans.[3] He became a national figure in the 1950s when he and the Mayor of Louisville, Kentucky, Charles Farnsley, made the public library a model for communities nationwide. Their partnership included a library-based radio station (WFPL) in 1950; concerts and university lectures in the libraries; and 16-mm movies and prints of works of art you could check out. Graham retired in the early 1970s.[4][5]

Graham was president of the American Library Association during the organizations 75th Anniversary Celebration.[6]

Publications
  • The first book of public libraries (Watts, 1959)

References
  1. Ancestry.com. U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, US: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2011.
  2. "ALAs Past Presidents". American Library Association. 2007-11-20. Retrieved 7 March 2016.
  3. Jordan, Casper LeRoy; Josey, E.J. "A Chronology of Events in Black Librarianship". Chicken Bones: A Journal. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  4. Runyon, Keith (November 13, 2014). "Saluting Craig Buthod, Louisville's Librarian". 89.3 WFPL. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  5. "'Skip' Graham, who led Louisville library, dies". Louisville Courier-Journal. Louisville, Kentucky. January 26, 1989. p. 6.
  6. "Clarence R. Graham Papers, 1941-1955". The American Library Association Archives. University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
Non-profit organization positions
Preceded by
Milton E. Lord		 President of the American Library Association
1950–1951		 Succeeded by
Loleta Dawson Fyan


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