Sunland Park Library Scrapbook, 1953-1956
Collection context
Summary
- Extent:
- 1 Paige Box
- Language:
- English
- Preferred citation:
Sunland Park Library Scrapbook (AARLCC-2007.15), AARLCC Special Collections, Broward County Library.
Background
- Scope and content:
The Sunland Park Library scrapbook documents the early history of the first municipal library open to Fort Lauderdale's Black residents located at 1449 NW 9th Street. The scrapbook dates from 1953 to 1956 and contains an invitation and program documenting the library's opening, newspaper clippings about the activities and history of the Sunland Park library branch, a photograph of a storytime program at the library, an essay, and circulation statistics. The newspaper clippings include photographs of Mary Lou Barner and the interior and exterior of the branch, as well as the dedication ceremony.
- Biographical / historical:
The Sunland Park Library was the first Black library to be part of the City of Fort Lauderdale and the direct predecessor to the Broward County Library system's Von D. Mizell Library.
In 1945 Reverend Ivory Mizell created the first library for Black people in Fort Lauderdale in his office at the Dixie Court Housing Project through community fundraising. Ivory Mizell was the manager of the Dixie Court Housing Project near Dillard High School and recognized the need for library services in the neighborhood. Rather than a municipal library, this was an independent and community-organized library. In 1951, Mary Lou Barner, a graduate of Dillard High School's first graduating class (1951), was hired to be the librarian.
In 1952, after the local community had spent years canvassing for a municpal branch for Black residents, the City of Fort Lauderdale designated a space for the Sunland Park Library branch. Mary Lou Barner and the books transferred to the new municipal library building. It opened in May 1953 and had a formal opening ceremony on December 13, 1953. Friends of the library included members of the Mizell family, Charles Morton, Lucille Sims, and Lloyd Thomas. Mary Lou Barner resigned in 1956 and the library was closed for an interim time. In February 1958 Helen Hamm was hired to be the new librarian, and she was replaced in August 1958 by her sister Nellie, who served until 1965. Librarian Katie Drayton and then Head Librarian Verdelle Thorpe were the next librarians, eventually adding Frances Addison as the third staff librarian.
In 1970, increased demand at the Sunland Park Library led to the city renting a larger space in the Zeno Buidling at 1170 Northwest Sistrunk Boulevard named the Northwest Branch. The Sunland Park staff, Walker, Drayton, and Addison transferred the Sunland Park Library materials to the Northwest Branch Library.
In 1974, the city transferred the Northwest Branch to the newly-created Broward County Library system and the staff held a contest for renaming the library, and the name Von D. Mizell Library was chosen, and the library was remaned in 1975. In 2002 the African American Research Library and Cultural Center replaced the Von D. Mizell branch.
- Processing information:
This collection received container level processing. This finding aid may be updated to reflect new descriptions as well as acquisitions to the collection.
- Physical description:
- Fair.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Access and use
- Restrictions:
The Sunland Park Library Scrapbook is open for research.
- Preferred citation:
Sunland Park Library Scrapbook (AARLCC-2007.15), AARLCC Special Collections, Broward County Library.
- Location of this collection:
-
African American Research Library and Cultural Center, Broward County Library2650 Sistrunk BoulevardFort LauderdaleFL33311USA
