Mollie Huston Lee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mollie Huston Lee
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Lee in 1968
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| Born | January 18, 1907 Columbus, Ohio, US
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| Died | January 26, 1982 (aged 75) |
| Education | Howard University, Columbia University library school |
| Occupation | Librarian |
| Employer | Richard B. Harrison Public Library |
| Spouse(s) | Dr. James S. Lee |
Mollie Huston Lee (born January 18, 1907 – died January 26, 1982) was a very important librarian. She was the first African American librarian in Raleigh, North Carolina. She also started the Richard B. Harrison Public Library. This was the first library in Raleigh especially for African Americans. Mollie Lee worked hard to make sure everyone in Raleigh and Wake County, North Carolina had access to great library services. She believed everyone should have equal access to books and information.
Contents
Mollie Huston Lee's Early Life and Education
Mollie Huston Lee was born in Columbus, Ohio on January 18, 1907. Her parents were Corrina Smith Huston and Rolla Solomon Huston. Her father owned a business and was involved in politics. Mollie was their only child. Since her parents loved to learn, their home always had many books. Growing up, Mollie became very interested in community issues. She married Dr. James S. Lee in 1935. They had one son, James S. Lee Jr.
Becoming a Librarian
Mollie went to Howard University. While studying there, she worked as a student helper in the library. She learned a lot from A.C. Williams, who she said was the first Black librarian in the country to get a library degree. He inspired her to become a librarian herself.
After graduating from Howard University, Mollie received a scholarship. This allowed her to attend library school at Columbia University. In 1930, she earned her bachelor's degree in library science. She then moved to North Carolina and started working as a librarian at Shaw University.
Discovering a Need for Black Literature
During her five years at Shaw University Library, Mollie noticed something important. People in the surrounding Black community needed more books. They especially wanted books written by and about African Americans. She realized that a public library could help meet this need.
Starting a Public Library for African Americans
In the early 1900s, many libraries in the South were segregated. This meant Black people could not use them. While some cities like Charlotte, North Carolina, opened libraries for Black people in 1905, Raleigh had to wait much longer. By 1935, there were only twelve public libraries for Black people in all of North Carolina.
Mollie Huston Lee became a strong supporter of bringing a library to Raleigh for African Americans. In 1935, she and other community members met with Raleigh's mayor, George A. Isley. They discussed creating a public library that would serve Black residents. Their goal was to create a special collection of Black literature.
The Richard B. Harrison Public Library
Thanks to their efforts, the Richard B. Harrison Public Library opened on November 12, 1935. This was a huge step forward for the community.
Mollie Lee believed in reaching out to the community. She often took library materials to people who could not visit the library. This encouraged more people to use the library and its resources. Even during tough economic times, the library's collection grew because of Mollie's hard work.
Training Future Librarians
Besides creating a library for African Americans in Raleigh, Mollie also helped train new librarians. Students from Atlanta University, North Carolina Central University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill learned from her. They gained real-world experience at the Harrison Library under Mollie's guidance. From 1946 to 1953, she also supervised libraries in Black schools across North Carolina. People often called her a "librarian's librarian."
Mollie once said, "I don't know of anything else that can help anyone grow more than working in a library." In 1951, she told a radio audience that a public library is like "the recorded memory of mankind." She explained that its job is to share information and ideas with everyone. It helps each person find the books and materials they need.
During her 37 years at the Harrison Library, she saw it change a lot. It started as a tiny, one-room library on Hargett Street. When she retired on June 30, 1972, it was a large, modern building on New Bern Avenue. She retired after 42 years of library work to "have fun and do some of the things I have not had time for."
The Mollie Huston Lee Collection of Black Literature
Mollie Lee's strong commitment to the African American community was clear in her special collection. She built an amazing collection of books and other resources by and about African Americans. This made the Harrison Library truly special and unique. She wanted the African American community to know and be proud of their heritage.
Mollie carefully collected these publications. She said, "I felt there was a need to emphasize black books. Black collections were not popular then like they are today." She wanted more people to learn about Black history, Black authors, and the contributions of Black people. Many publications about African Americans were only printed for a short time. So, Mollie carefully watched publishers and sellers of these books. She even visited a special book shop in New York City to find rare items for the collection.
This collection grew slowly but steadily over 38 years. It eventually had over 5,000 items. These included fiction and non-fiction books for both adults and children, magazines, pamphlets, and other materials. The State Library of North Carolina provided financial help for 12 years, which was a big boost. This collection became so valuable that other public libraries in North Carolina could borrow from it through Interlibrary loan.
In 1972, this "Negro Collection" was officially renamed the Mollie Huston Lee Collection of Black Literature.
Community Programs and Outreach
Mollie Huston Lee believed that helping people learn about their community and government was very important. She had a clear idea about how libraries should serve the community. She said, "If you're a public librarian, you have to be with the people to find out their wants and needs." She believed librarians should provide materials that help people live better lives through reading. "You can't just sit behind a desk and issue books," she added.
The Harrison Library offered many programs. These included talks by Black and white speakers and children's authors. They also had expanded story times for kids. A big focus was on adult education. The library helped adults learn "how to live better, longer, fuller and more enjoyable lives." They also had programs for people in rural areas of Raleigh. These programs taught reading and writing skills.
Discussion groups were created for people of all ages. These groups helped community members stay informed about current news. The Harrison Library became well-known across the region and even nationally. It provided services and programs for older people, the blind, people facing challenges, and those who couldn't read. The library's programs truly met the needs of the community. Children received educational and fun tools to help them become good citizens. Adults got materials to help them live full and useful lives in their community.
Awards and Recognition
Mollie Huston Lee was highly respected. She was chosen as a library delegate for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). She was also appointed as a trustee for the State Library of North Carolina.
Mollie helped start the North Carolina Negro Library Association (NCNLA). This group later joined with the American Library Association (ALA) and the North Carolina Library Association when they began allowing African American members. Mollie was the second African American person elected to the ALA council, serving from 1950 to 1954. In 1971, she represented the ALA at the White House Conference on Aging. Also in 1971, Mollie Lee was the first African American woman to be named "Tar Heel of the Week." This honor recognized her many professional and community contributions to North Carolina.
