Rosa Parks Branch Library - Montgomery, AL
Posted by: 
xptwo
N 32° 21.545 W 086° 19.020
16S E 564260 N 3580443
The Rosa Parks Branch opened in 1960 with the first black Head Librarian in the Montgomery system.
Waymark Code: WMF795
Location: Alabama, United States
Date Posted: 09/04/2012
Views: 3
This branch of the Montgomery City-County Public Library serves the community on the west side of the city. Originally named the Cleveland Avenue Branch, the name was changed when the city renamed the street to Rosa Parks Avenue. In 2012, the City Council voted to name the facility the Bertha Pleasant Williams Library at the Rosa Parks Avenue Branch. It is located at the intersection of Rosa Parks Avenue and Early Street at 1276 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36108.
On August 30, 2012, a ceremony was held at the corner of Rosa L. Parks Avenue and Early Street. The occasion was the unveiling of a marker honoring Bertha Pleasant Williams, Montgomery's first black librarian who served the community for several decades, and the role of the Rosa Parks Avenue Branch Library. The marker is outside the library branch she opened as its first Head Librarian. The story of the branch can be seen in the text of the marker:
Rosa Parks Branch Library
Second public library for blacks in City of Montgomery, this building opened in 1960 as Montgomery Branch Library on Cleveland Avenue. Designed by architect James Miller Davis, it served the black population at a time the main facility on High Street prohibited their patronage. Planned to contain 15,000 volumes, this structure has meeting rooms and areas for adults, teen-agers and children. Judge frank Johnson ordered desegregation of Montgomery libraries in 1962. The first public library for blacks opened in 1948 in two rooms of the Community House of City federation of Negro Women's Clubs on South Union street. Librarian Bertha Williams, the first black employee of the city library system, led that branch for its twelve years of operation and became head librarian of this one upon its opening. Change of name to Rosa Parks Branch came with re-naming of Cleveland Avenue for heroine of Bus Boycott.
Classification of Library: Public Library (Open to all)
Internet access available: Yes - Library Terminal: Register with Library Clerk to use
Additional Internet Connection Options:
Free wi-fi offered by the city so one can use their own laptop or tablet.
Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday 9 AM – 6 PM
Saturday 9 AM - 1 PM
Approximate date of opening.: 01/01/1960
Library Website: [Web Link]
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