Popularity of the Library
The following expressions are selected from letters written by patrons of the Colored Branches:
“Next to the Public School, I regard the Public Library as the most important educational institution in the city for our people.”
W. B. Matthews, Principal
Central Colored High School“The influence of the Public Library has been constantly and definitely noted in the elevation of the tastes and the enlargement of the capacities of our people.”
A. E. Meyzeek, Principal
Colored Normal School“Words cannot measure the benefits we receive from our Library. It has given both old and young a new world to live in.”
Joseph S. Cotter, Principal
S. Coleridge Taylor Colored School“For information, the dissemination of intelligence and the consequent advancement of general culture for the colored people of Louisville, the Public Library outranks any other single agency.”
G. M. McClellan, Principal
Paul Dunbar Colored School“The Public Library is the center for intellectual improvement and a positive force in the civic uplift for our people in Louisville.”
G. W. Jackson, Principal
Lincoln Colored School“The Colored Branches are potent factors in making intelligent, cultured and useful citizens.”
Lucie N. DuValle, Principal
Phyllis Wheatley Colored School“We have found the Public Library exceedingly helpful alike to teachers and to pupils.”
William H. Perry, Principal
Western Colored School“The Public Library gives educational advantages to the colored youth of the community which means a better citizenship.”
Bessie L. Allen, Probation Officer
Juvenile Court“The tenth anniversary of the Colored Public Library—we are ten years old in good thoughts and good books.”
D. Leroy Ferguson, Rector
Church of Our Merciful Saviour“There are more colored people reading in Louisville now than in any time since the days of freedom. This opportunity has been given them by the Public Library.”
Rev. C. H. Parrish, President
Kentucky Home Finding Society“The Colored Branch Library in Louisville has been the harbinger of countless blessings to our colored citizens.”
Rev. Jesse B. Colbert, Presiding Elder
A. M. E. Zion Church“After ten years—I can say that nothing has been instituted in our city in this same length of time which has meant as much for the general culture of our people as has the Public Library.”
C. B. Allen, Pastor
Knox Presbyterian Church“No greater blessing has come to the colored people of Louisville in the form of an institution than the Public Library.”
E. G. Harris, Pastor
Plymouth Congregational Church“The Public Library has been of more value to the community than we can possibly express.”
Dr. W. H. Sheppard,
Former Missionary to Africa“The Colored Library in Louisville as a public institution is not only profitable but indispensable to our people.”
Dr. P. R. Peters, Editor
The Colored Herald“The Library since its establishment has proven to be the most valuable asset of the community.”
Lee L. Brown, Editor
Louisville News“The two Colored Branch libraries have met a great need among our people in their general development.”
C. H. Bullock, Secretary
Colored Y. M. C. A.“I have watched with interest the growth of the Public Library and its influence upon the people and I desire to state that it is in many ways exceedingly helpful and beneficial.”
Wm. H. Steward, President
Louisville Negro Business Men’s League“I regard the Public Library as incomparably the most Important auxiliary in the city to the educational system for our people.”
Dr. E. D. Whedbee, President
Red Cross Association“The value of the Public Library as a factor in the race’s uplift intellectually, morally and spiritually cannot be overestimated.”
J. R. Harvey, Pastor
Quinn’s Chapel, A. M. E. Church“The Colored Branch Library has proven a decided advantage and an inspiration to the colored people of Louisville.”
W. J. Walls, Pastor
Broadway A. M. E. Zion Church