E. J. Josey

E. J. Josey was a pioneering librarian, educator, and civil rights activist who profoundly reshaped the library profession in the United States. He is best known for his transformative presidency of the American Library Association and his relentless advocacy for racial equality and intellectual freedom within libraries. His scholarship and leadership challenged systemic discrimination, opening doors for generations of African Americans in the information sciences.

Early life and education

Born Edward Josey in Norfolk, Virginia in 1924, he grew up in Portsmouth, Virginia during the era of Jim Crow laws. He pursued higher education at the historically black Howard University, earning a bachelor's degree in history. After serving in the United States Army, he obtained a master's degree in history from Columbia University. His career path shifted toward librarianship, leading him to earn a second master's degree in library science from the University at Albany, SUNY.

Library career and advocacy

Josey began his professional career at the New York Public Library system before moving to academia, holding positions at Delaware State College and Savannah State College. In 1966, he joined the faculty of the University of Pittsburgh's School of Information Sciences, where he taught for over two decades. His advocacy was most powerfully demonstrated in 1964 when he successfully introduced a resolution at the American Library Association's annual conference in St. Louis, Missouri, which mandated that state library associations in the Southern United States desegregate or lose their American Library Association charters. This pivotal action directly challenged the American Library Association's prior complicity with segregation.

American Library Association presidency

In 1984, Josey was elected president of the American Library Association, becoming the first African American male to hold the office. His tenure was marked by a strong focus on equity, access, and intellectual freedom. He championed the Library Bill of Rights and worked to strengthen the association's commitment to serving diverse populations. His presidency also emphasized international librarianship, fostering connections with professionals in Africa and the Caribbean. His leadership provided a national platform to advance his lifelong mission of making libraries inclusive institutions.

Scholarship and publications

A prolific scholar, Josey edited and authored numerous foundational texts that addressed the intersection of librarianship, race, and social justice. His seminal work, *The Black Librarian in America*, published in 1970, was a landmark collection that gave voice to the experiences of African-American librarians. Other significant edited volumes include *The Information Society* and *Handbook of Black Librarianship*. He was a longtime editor for the journal *The Black Caucus of the American Library Association* and contributed extensively to publications like *Library Journal* and *American Libraries*, consistently arguing for proactive recruitment of minority librarians.

Legacy and honors

E. J. Josey's legacy is enduring, reflected in the structures and values of modern librarianship. He was a founding member of the Black Caucus of the American Library Association, which continues to be a vital advocacy body. His numerous honors include the American Library Association's Joseph W. Lippincott Award and the Beta Phi Mu award for distinguished service. The American Library Association's Office for Diversity, Literacy, and Outreach Services and the Social Responsibilities Round Table stand as testaments to his vision. The E. J. Josey Scholarship Award, administered by the Black Caucus of the American Library Association, supports future African-American librarians, ensuring his fight for equity continues.

Category:American librarians Category:American Library Association people Category:African-American educators Category:Activists from Virginia Category:Howard University alumni Category:Columbia University alumni