University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

A narrative of Augusta Baker's early life and her work as a children's librarian within the New York Public Library system

Carter, Regina Sierra

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/90760

Description

Title
A narrative of Augusta Baker's early life and her work as a children's librarian within the New York Public Library system
Author(s)
Carter, Regina Sierra
Issue Date
2016-04-18
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Anderson, James D.
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Anderson, James D.
Committee Member(s)
  • Dyson, Anne H.
  • Harris, Violet J.
  • Pak, Yoon K.
Department of Study
Educ Policy, Orgzn & Leadrshp
Discipline
Educational Policy Studies
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
  • Black children's literature
  • Black librarianship
  • Children's literature
  • Education
  • History
  • Library and information science
Abstract
"Augusta Braxston Baker (1911-1998) was a Black American librarian whose tenure within the New York Public Library (NYPL) system lasted for more than thirty years. This study seeks to shed light upon Baker’s educational trajectory, her career as a children’s librarian at NYPL's 135th Street Branch, her work with Black children’s literature, and her enduring legacy. Baker's narrative is constructed through the use of primary source materials, secondary source materials, and oral history interviews. The research questions which guide this study include: 1) How did Baker use what Yosso described as ""community cultural wealth"" throughout her educational trajectory and time within the NYPL system? 2) Why was Baker’s bibliography on Black children’s books significant? and 3) What is her lasting legacy? This study uses historical research to elucidate how Baker successfully navigated within the predominantly White world of librarianship and established criteria for identifying non-stereotypical children’s literature about Blacks and Black experiences."
Graduation Semester
2016-05
Type of Resource
text
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/90760
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2016 Regina Sierra Carter

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