Mollie E. Dunlap facts for kids

Mollie Ernestine Dunlap (born September 2, 1898 – died July 7, 1977) was a very important librarian, writer, and teacher. She helped people learn more about the achievements of African Americans. Her work also showed how African Americans experienced college and university life. One of her most important works was the Index to Selected Negro Publications. Mollie Dunlap also helped start the first library association for African Americans. She fought for equal rights for black librarians in the United States.

Early Life and Education

Mollie Ernestine Dunlap was born on September 2, 1898, in Paducah, Kentucky. She grew up in this city. Mollie studied English and elementary education at Wilberforce University.

She earned her first bachelor's degree from Ohio State University in 1928. Later, she received a special scholarship called the Rosenwald Fund scholarship. This allowed her to study librarianship at the University of Michigan. She earned a second bachelor's degree in 1931. Then, she completed her Master of Library Science degree in 1932.

From 1918 to 1923, Mollie Dunlap worked as a teacher at Wilberforce University.

Working in Libraries

In 1925, Mollie Dunlap became a librarian at the Winston-Salem Teachers College. She worked there until 1934. In 1934, she returned to Wilberforce University. There, she became the head librarian for the university.

In 1947, Central State College was founded. Mollie Dunlap became the director of their library. She helped plan and build the Hallie Q. Brown Memorial Library. She also created a special collection of books and materials about African American history. In 1968, she became the university's official archivist. This meant she was in charge of keeping important historical records.

Fighting for Equal Rights in Libraries

Mollie Dunlap was a key person in starting the North Carolina Negro Library Association. This group was formed in April 1934 at Shaw University. It was the very first library association for African Americans. Mollie was also its first vice president.

In 1936, the American Library Association (ALA) held its yearly meeting in Richmond, Virginia. African American attendees faced unfair treatment. They were not allowed to book rooms at the main hotel. They also could not attend meetings where food was served. The ALA did not fully address these issues.

Mollie Dunlap spoke out strongly. She demanded that the ALA truly follow "true principles of democracy." She joined a special committee focused on racial discrimination. She helped write a resolution in 1936. This resolution pushed the ALA to take a strong stand for equal treatment of black librarians.

Important Research and Writings

Mollie Dunlap's research was very important. She did the first study about what black college students liked to read. She encouraged librarians to create libraries that were fun and inspiring, not just places for information.

In 1935, she published a study about "Special Collections of Negro Literature in the United States." From 1944 to 1947, she was an assistant editor for the Negro College Quarterly. In this journal, she published several studies about books and writings. She also co-wrote a study in 1947 called "Institutions of Higher Learning among Negroes in the United States of America." This study provided important facts about these colleges.

Mollie Dunlap continued her research while working at Central State University. She helped start the Journal of Human Relations. She also helped create the Wilberforce, Ohio branch of the American Association of University Women. For this group, she wrote a book in 1949 called Despite Discrimination: Some Aspects of Negro Life in the United States.

Her most famous work is the Index to Selected Negro Publications Received in the Hallie Q. Brown Library. This book is a very important tool for anyone studying the African American experience.

Legacy and Recognition

In 1976, Mollie Dunlap received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Michigan. This award recognized her outstanding achievements. Her official papers and records are kept at the Hallie Q. Brown Library at Central State University.