A Publication of the Public Library Association Public Libraries Online

Suzanne LaPierre Author Archive


Email: summerslapierre@gmail.com   Website: LinkedIn   Twitter: @Bookmouser

Suzanne S. LaPierre is a Virginiana Specialist Librarian for Fairfax County Public Library in Virginia. She has worked in public library information services for over fifteen years, in addition to prior experience in museums, archives, and special collections. She is a columnist for Public Libraries Magazine and co-author of the book Desegregation of Libraries in Northern Virginia, soon to be published by The History Press.


illustration of women different races

Desegregation of Public Libraries in Winchester & Richmond, Virginia

Progress in library integration didn’t happen simply because time passed, or even because Brown v. Board ruled separate but equal unconstitutional. It happened because of the efforts of citizens like Henry Brooks and Charles Harper in Winchester and members of the Business and Professional Men’s Council in Richmond. These and other heroic library rights activists deserve to be recognized today for their achievements.