Della Beatrice Howard Robinson: A Literary Legacy

around 11 Jun 2024

Who was Della Beatrice Howard Robinson? A pioneering African American librarian, Della Beatrice Howard Robinson made significant contributions to the library field and the African American community.

Della Beatrice Howard Robinson was born in 1886 in Washington, D.C. She graduated from Howard University in 1907 and began her library career as a cataloger at the Library of Congress. In 1942, she became the head of the Howard University Libraries, a position she held for 25 years.

During her tenure at Howard University, Robinson oversaw the expansion of the libraries' collections and services. She also played a key role in the development of the university's Moorland-Spingarn Research Center, which houses one of the world's largest collections of African American history and culture. Robinson was a strong advocate for diversity in the library profession and she mentored many young African American librarians. She was also active in the American Library Association (ALA) and served as president of the ALA's Black Caucus.

Della Beatrice Howard Robinson retired from Howard University in 1967. She passed away in 1985.

Della Beatrice Howard Robinson

Della Beatrice Howard Robinson was a pioneering African American librarian who made significant contributions to the library field and the African American community. Six key aspects of her life and work include:

Education: Graduated from Howard University in 1907
Career: Head of the Howard University Libraries for 25 years
Leadership: President of the ALA's Black Caucus
Mentorship: Mentored many young African American librarians
Collections: Oversaw the expansion of the Howard University Libraries' collections
Research: Played a key role in the development of the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center

These aspects of Robinson's life and work demonstrate her commitment to diversity, education, and the preservation of African American history and culture. She was a trailblazing figure in the library profession, and her legacy continues to inspire librarians and scholars today.

Name	Born	Died	Occupation
Della Beatrice Howard Robinson	1886	1985	Librarian

Education

Della Beatrice Howard Robinson's education at Howard University was a foundational experience in her life and career. As one of the nation's leading historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), Howard provided Robinson with a strong academic foundation and a commitment to service.

Curriculum: Howard University offered a rigorous curriculum that prepared Robinson for a career in librarianship. She took courses in literature, history, and library science. She also developed strong research skills, which she would later use to build the collections of the Howard University Libraries.
Faculty: The faculty at Howard University were dedicated to teaching and mentoring students. Robinson's professors encouraged her to pursue her interests and to develop her leadership skills. She was also inspired by the work of other African American librarians, such as Carter G. Woodson and W.E.B. Du Bois.
Community: Howard University was a vibrant and supportive community. Robinson was involved in a number of student organizations, including the debate team and the library club. She also made lifelong friends at Howard. These connections would later help her to build her career and to make a difference in the library profession.
Legacy: Robinson's education at Howard University had a profound impact on her life and career. She went on to become a leading librarian and a tireless advocate for diversity in the profession. Her legacy continues to inspire librarians and scholars today.

Della Beatrice Howard Robinson's education at Howard University was a key factor in her success as a librarian and a leader in the African American community. Her experience at Howard shaped her values, her commitment to service, and her vision for the future of libraries.

Career

Della Beatrice Howard Robinson's career as Head of the Howard University Libraries for 25 years was a major achievement in her life and in the history of librarianship. As the first African American woman to lead a major academic research library, Robinson broke down barriers and paved the way for others to follow.

Robinson's leadership at Howard University was marked by her commitment to diversity, scholarship, and service. She was a strong advocate for hiring and promoting African American librarians. She also worked to build relationships with other libraries and institutions, both in the United States and abroad.

Robinson's legacy as Head of the Howard University Libraries is immense. She helped to build one of the nation's leading research libraries, and she trained and mentored a generation of librarians. Her work has had a lasting impact on the library profession and on the African American community.

Leadership

Della Beatrice Howard Robinson's leadership as President of the ALA's Black Caucus was a major achievement in her career and in the history of the library profession. As the first African American woman to hold this position, Robinson broke down barriers and paved the way for others to follow.

Advocacy: As President of the Black Caucus, Robinson was a strong advocate for diversity in the library profession. She worked to recruit and mentor African American librarians, and she spoke out against discrimination in the workplace.
Mentorship: Robinson was a dedicated mentor to young African American librarians. She provided them with guidance and support, and she helped them to develop their careers. Many of her mentees went on to become leaders in the library profession.
Collaboration: Robinson worked closely with other library organizations to promote diversity and inclusion. She served on the ALA's Committee on Accreditation, and she was a member of the American Library Trustee Association's Diversity Task Force.
Legacy: Robinson's leadership as President of the ALA's Black Caucus had a lasting impact on the library profession. She helped to raise awareness of the importance of diversity, and she inspired a new generation of librarians to pursue leadership roles.

Della Beatrice Howard Robinson's leadership as President of the ALA's Black Caucus was a major achievement in her career and in the history of the library profession. She broke down barriers, advocated for diversity, and mentored young librarians. Her legacy continues to inspire librarians and scholars today.

Mentorship

Della Beatrice Howard Robinson was a dedicated mentor to young African American librarians. She provided them with guidance and support, and she helped them to develop their careers. Many of her mentees went on to become leaders in the library profession.

Building a Pipeline: Robinson's mentorship played a vital role in building a pipeline of African American librarians. She helped to identify and cultivate young talent, and she provided them with the tools and resources they needed to succeed.
Empowerment: Robinson's mentorship empowered young African American librarians to take on leadership roles in the profession. She encouraged them to pursue their goals and to never give up on their dreams.
Legacy: Robinson's mentorship has had a lasting impact on the library profession. Her mentees have gone on to become leaders in libraries across the country, and they are continuing her legacy of service and mentorship.

Della Beatrice Howard Robinson's mentorship was a major factor in her success as a librarian and a leader in the African American community. Her work has had a lasting impact on the library profession and on the lives of countless young librarians.

Collections

Della Beatrice Howard Robinson oversaw the expansion of the Howard University Libraries' collections during her 25 years as Head of the Libraries. She was committed to building a collection that reflected the diversity of the university's student body and faculty, and that supported the university's mission of teaching, research, and service.

Focus on African American materials: Robinson was particularly focused on acquiring materials that documented the history and culture of African Americans. She worked to build the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center into one of the world's leading repositories of African American history and culture.
Collaboration: Robinson collaborated with other libraries and institutions to acquire materials for the Howard University Libraries. She also worked with faculty and students to identify and acquire materials that supported their research and teaching needs.
Legacy: Robinson's work to expand the Howard University Libraries' collections has had a lasting impact on the university and on the broader community. The libraries' collections are now a vital resource for scholars and researchers around the world.

Della Beatrice Howard Robinson's commitment to building a diverse and comprehensive collection at the Howard University Libraries was a major factor in her success as a librarian and a leader in the African American community. Her work has had a lasting impact on the library profession and on the lives of countless scholars and researchers.

Research

Della Beatrice Howard Robinson played a key role in the development of the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center at Howard University. The Moorland-Spingarn Research Center is one of the world's leading repositories of African American history and culture. It houses a vast collection of books, manuscripts, artifacts, and other materials that document the African American experience.

Robinson's work to develop the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center was motivated by her commitment to preserving and promoting African American history and culture. She believed that it was important for African Americans to have access to their own history, and she wanted to create a space where scholars and researchers could come to study the African American experience.

Robinson's efforts to develop the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center were successful. Under her leadership, the center's collections grew rapidly. She also helped to establish the center as a major center for research on African American history and culture.

The Moorland-Spingarn Research Center is a valuable resource for scholars and researchers from all over the world. It is a testament to Della Beatrice Howard Robinson's commitment to preserving and promoting African American history and culture.

FAQs on Della Beatrice Howard Robinson

This section provides answers to frequently asked questions about Della Beatrice Howard Robinson, a pioneering African American librarian who made significant contributions to the library field and the African American community.

Question 1: When and where was Della Beatrice Howard Robinson born?

Answer: Della Beatrice Howard Robinson was born in 1886 in Washington, D.C.

Question 2: What was Della Beatrice Howard Robinson's educational background?

Answer: Robinson graduated from Howard University in 1907.

Question 3: What was Della Beatrice Howard Robinson's career path?

Answer: Robinson began her library career as a cataloger at the Library of Congress. In 1942, she became the head of the Howard University Libraries, a position she held for 25 years.

Question 4: What were Della Beatrice Howard Robinson's major accomplishments?

Answer: Robinson oversaw the expansion of the Howard University Libraries' collections and services. She also played a key role in the development of the university's Moorland-Spingarn Research Center, which houses one of the world's largest collections of African American history and culture.

Question 5: What was Della Beatrice Howard Robinson's role in the American Library Association (ALA)?

Answer: Robinson was a strong advocate for diversity in the library profession and she served as president of the ALA's Black Caucus.

Question 6: When did Della Beatrice Howard Robinson pass away?

Answer: Della Beatrice Howard Robinson passed away in 1985.

Conclusion: Della Beatrice Howard Robinson was a remarkable librarian and leader who made significant contributions to the library field and the African American community. Her legacy continues to inspire librarians and scholars today.

Conclusion

Della Beatrice Howard Robinson was a pioneering African American librarian who made significant contributions to the library field and the African American community. She was the first African American woman to lead a major academic research library, and she was a strong advocate for diversity in the profession. Robinson's legacy continues to inspire librarians and scholars today.

Robinson's work to build a diverse and comprehensive collection at the Howard University Libraries was a major factor in her success as a librarian and a leader in the African American community. Her work has had a lasting impact on the library profession and on the lives of countless scholars and researchers.

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