FLVC logo

Julie Hunter Collection, 1961-2022

 

Summary

Extent:
9 Hollinger Boxes
2 Boxes (irregular size)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Julie Hunter Collection, African American Research Library and Cultural Center, Broward County Library.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection contains personal and professional papers of Julie Hunter. Materials include correspondence to and from Julie Hunter, professional papers documenting her career at the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library, African American Research Library and Cultural Center, and Broward County Library, photographs, notes, certificates, plaques, newspaper clippings, audio-visual materials, and one framed poster.

Biographical / historical:

Julie Varner Hunter, a leader within the field of librarianship and civil rights, was born on April 5, 1937 in Summerville, South Carolina to parents John Varner, welder and grocery store owner, and Mildred Collins, a homemaker. She was one of eight children. Hunter experienced racism and Ku Klux Klan activities as a young girl such as cross burnings in neighborhood yards and KKK parades through town. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Mathematics with a minor in English from Claflin College (now Claflin University) in Orangeburg, South Carolina, graduating summa cum laude. She joined the student chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and served as president. After college, she worked as a Field Director for the NAACP and organized youth groups in the South from 1960 to 1963. In 1964, Mrs. Hunter attended library school at Atlanta University (now known as Clark Atlanta University). In Atlanta, she met Roy Hunter a professor of Biology at Morehouse College. They married in 1966.

Julie worked as the director of Atlanta University's Trevor Arnett Library after receiving her Masters degree in library science. She furthered her leadership in librarianship by working as the deputy/acting Director of the Robert W. Woodruff Library of Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia; Assistant Director of DeKalb County Public Library system in Decatur, Georgia; and the first Director of the Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History at the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library. In 1996, she was promoted to Director of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library.

Based on her prior experiences at the Auburn Avenue Research Library, Samuel Morrison recruited Julie to become the second director of the African American Research Library and Cultural Center (AARLCC). Her appointment began in September 2002. Julie strengthened AARLCC's collections and programs, championing the preservation and access of Black history and culture in South Florida. She coordinated the Ashley Bryan Art Series Conference with children's book illustrator Ashley Bryan and librarian and educator, Dr. Henrietta M. Smith. The conference hosts an illustrator of African descent each year and the artist donates an illustration to AARLCC. Julie also oversaw the acquisition of archival collections such as the Esther Rolle Collection in 2005 which contains actress Esther Rolle's photographs, playbills, and an Emmy Award. She later worked as Assistant Library Director for Broward County Library system until 2013.

After her retirement in 2013, Julie remained active in the community and libraries by serving in the Friends of AARLCC. She received the 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Florida Library Association, honoring her 47 years of library service. Through her work in the NAACP and in librarianship, Julie Hunter championed the spread of knowledge to dismantle ignorance and promote well-being in American society. She passed away on July 13, 2022.

Processing information:

This collection received file level processing. This finding aid may be updated to reflect new descriptions as well as acquisitions to the collection.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged into 8 series: Series I. Correspondence, Series II. Professional Papers, Series III. Personal Papers, Series IV. Photographs, Series V. Printed Materials, Series VI. Audio-Visual Materials, Series VII. Awards, and Series VIII. Poster.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Julie Hunter Collection is open for research.

Preferred citation:

Julie Hunter Collection, African American Research Library and Cultural Center, Broward County Library.

Location of this collection:
African American Research Library and Cultural Center, Broward County Library
2650 Sistrunk Boulevard
Fort Lauderdale
FL
33311
USA