Negro Library

Kiddie story hour at the library.

In October 1945, the Negro Library on Pender Street observed its first “kiddies story hour” for members of its book club. Librarian Pauline Coley read two books to the children, including Munro Leaf’s now-classic The Story of Ferdinand. Nine year-old Hattie Margaret Henderson was elected group leader, and Rosalind Taylor as her assistant. The reading club included Patricia Garner, Gail Peacock, Betty Handy, Doris Crooms, Helen Pepper, David Pepper, Delores Wilson, Wendell Hines, Joane Jenkins, John Barnes, Randolph Speight, Willie Wynn, Vilma Dew, David Charles Smith, and William H. Thomas Jr.


Wilson Daily Times, 27 October 1945.

Wilson County Negro Library: 1943-1964.

Local History/Genealogy Librarian Tammy Medlin will be presenting a video encore of her talk on the history of Wilson’s Negro Library, founded by African-American women in 1943, when Wilson County Public Library was strictly segregated. Tune into Facebook March 17 at 7:00 PM for an in-depth look at this important East Wilson institution.