Public libraries play a fundamental role in communities providing free educational resources, boosting literacy and knowledge, and serving as a place of refuge. Despite this, many libraries were inaccessible during the Jim Crow era to Black residents, as they continued to resist integration even after the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education. Discover the truth about barriers imposed on the Black community and learn about citizens turned activists who used protests and lawsuits to achieve more equitable library services. Their legacy resonates today, as libraries continue to evolve and embrace more inclusive practices. Join Fairfax County librarians as they investigate the overlooked and little-known history of segregated library services in Northern Virginia and discuss their book.

Chris Barbuschak, a Fairfax County native, is an archivist/librarian at Fairfax County Public Library’s Virginia Room. A graduate in history from Loyola University Chicago, he received his MLIS from Dominican University. Suzanne S. LaPierre is a Virginiana Specialist Librarian for Fairfax County Public Library in Virginia. Her writing has been published in national and international journals. In addition to a MLIS from University of South Carolina, she holds an MA in Museum Studies from The George Washington University and a BFA from Rhode Island School of Design.