Jessie Carney Smith facts for kids

Jessie Carney Smith, born on September 24, 1930, is a well-known American librarian and educator. She used to be the Dean of the Fisk University Library. She also held a special position called the Camille Cosby Distinguished Chair in the Humanities.

Jessie Carney Smith made history as the first African American to earn a Ph.D. degree in library science from the University of Illinois. She is also a respected scholar and author. She has written many guides and books about important African-American people.

Her Early Life and Education

Jessie Carney was born on September 24, 1930. Her hometown was Greensboro, North Carolina. Her parents were James Ampler Carney and Vesona (Bigelow) Carney. She attended James B. Dudley High School in Greensboro.

She went to North Carolina A&T State University. In 1950, she earned her B.S. degree in home economics. Smith then received her M.A. degree in child development from Michigan State University in 1956. In 1957, she earned her M.A.L.S. degree from the George Peabody College of Vanderbilt University.

Her Amazing Career as a Librarian

Smith started her career at Fisk University in 1956. She first worked as a clerk typist in the religion and English departments. Later, she moved to the university library. She worked her way up to become the assistant to the head librarian, Arna Bontemps. He was the first Black person to hold that job. He encouraged her to take his place one day.

In 1957, Smith began working at Tennessee State University. She was an instructor and helped organize library books. In 1960, she joined a Ph.D. program at the University of Illinois. She made history in 1964. She became the first African American to earn a Ph.D. degree in library science from that university.

In 1965, Smith was hired as a professor of library science at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. She also took over from Arna Bontemps as the head librarian. This made her the first Black woman to hold that important position.

Building a New Library

In 1969, Fisk University opened a new library. It replaced the older Erastus Milo Cravath Memorial Library. The new library cost 1.4 million dollars. Jessie Carney Smith helped design and plan this new building. She also managed the big job of moving all the books and collections into the new library.

Helping Others Learn

Jessie Carney Smith held many helpful workshops. These workshops covered topics like black studies, civil rights, and genealogy (family history). She also taught library science to students. She taught at the University of Tennessee, Alabama A&M University, and Vanderbilt University.

In 1992, Smith received a special honor. She was awarded Fisk University's Camille Cosby Distinguished Chair in the Humanities. She was appointed dean of the Fisk University library in 2010. After many years of hard work, she retired in 2020.

Smith also worked as a consultant for several important organizations. These included the U.S. Office for Civil Rights and the U.S. Office of Education. She also advised the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Writing Important Books

Jessie Carney Smith has written many research guides and reference books. She focused on sharing information about African Americans. She wanted to fill in gaps where there wasn't enough scholarship about them.

She published three separate books called Notable Black American Women. These came out in 1991, 1996, and 2003. She also wrote two books called Notable Black American Men in 1999 and 2006.

Her other books include Black Heroes of the Twentieth Century. She also wrote Freedom Facts and Firsts: 400 Years of the African American Civil Rights Experience. Another important book is Black Firsts: 4000 Groundbreaking and Pioneering Historical Events. In total, she wrote or edited more than 30 books!

Awards and Special Recognition

Jessie Carney Smith is best known for her work as an African-American studies scholar. She has received many awards for her work in libraries and as an author.

• In 1982, she received the Martin Luther King Black Authors Award.
• In 1992, she won the National Women's Book Association Award.
• Also in 1992, she received the Candace Award for excellence in education.
• She earned distinguished alumni awards from both Peabody College of Vanderbilt University and the University of Illinois.
• In 1985, she was named the Academic/Research Librarian of the Year. This award came from the Association of College and Research Libraries.
• In 1997, Smith received the key to the city of Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

When she retired in 2020, Fisk University gave her a special title. She was named Librarian Emerita. This means she is a retired librarian who still holds an honored position.

Books She Wrote

• Originals!: Black Women Breaking Barriers. 2022. Canton, Michigan: Visible Ink Press.
• Smith, Jessie Carney, Linda T Wynn and Lean’tin L Bracks. 2015. The Complete Encyclopedia of African American History. Canton, Michigan: Visible Ink Press.
• The Complete Encyclopedia of African American History. Heroes and Heroines. 2014 A reference library ed. Chanfont Pennsylvania: African American Publications.
• Smith, Jessie Carney, and Linda T Wynn. 2009. Freedom Facts and Firsts : 400 Years of the African American Civil Rights Experience. Canton, Michigan: Visible Ink Press.
• Epic Lives : One Hundred Black Women Who Made a Difference. 1993. Detroit: Visible Ink Press.
• Images of Blacks in American Culture : A Reference Guide to Information Sources. 1988. New York: Greenwood Press.