From Segregation to Unity: Discovering Anniston’s Public Library Legacy Through Family and History
Images from the City of Anniston’s website. Click on the image to check out the City of Anniston’s website where this photo was taken.
For years, Anniston’s public library has been a cherished place for my family and the children in our church community. Located just a short walk from our church, it has provided countless afternoons of joy and exploration as my kids and their friends spent hours browsing shelves, discovering new books, and sharing stories. It’s become a beloved tradition, this short walk to a place filled with knowledge and possibility.
Yet, as familiar as this library feels to us today, I had no idea that the building where we walk today wasn’t its original location, nor did I realize the struggle and history behind its integration. Learning about the fight to desegregate Anniston’s public library opened my eyes to the strength and resilience of our community and deepened my appreciation for this remarkable space.
A Look Back: The Anniston Public Library’s Journey to Equality
Anniston’s original public library, constructed in 1918 with a $20,000 grant from Andrew Carnegie, was initially located at the corner of Wilmer Avenue and East 10th Street. However, like many public spaces in the South during that era, it was segregated. Special hours were set aside on Thursdays and the first Sunday of each month for African American residents, limiting their access to this public resource.
In July 1963, a significant turning point came when a group of African American residents visited the library to request library cards, initiating a peaceful appeal for equal access. However, the library board delayed their decision, awaiting guidance from city officials. A month later, Reverend Jackson, an African American minister, requested to view The Interpreter’s Bible. Although allowed access, he was restricted from reading it in the public reading room, directed instead to a private office. Refusing to comply, Rev. Jackson left, a powerful statement against the discriminatory practices that persisted even in community spaces.
These events stirred local action, leading the city and library board to decide to open the library to all residents. The chosen date for integration was Sunday, September 15, 1963—a date that would hold profound significance in Anniston’s civil rights history.
A Day of Both Progress and Pain
On that September Sunday, Reverend William B. McClain and Reverend Nimrod Quintus Reynolds, both African American ministers and members of the Anniston Human Relations Council, arrived at the library. Their peaceful intent was to mark the beginning of a new, integrated chapter for the library. However, a mob of roughly 100 individuals gathered, attacking the ministers with fists, sticks, and a chain as they tried to enter. Rev. McClain and Rev. Reynolds fled on foot, and a compassionate motorist eventually stopped and took them to Anniston Memorial Hospital for treatment.
The following day, despite his injuries, Rev. McClain returned to the library, joined by Rev. J. Phillips Noble, chair of the Anniston Human Relations Council, and members of the library board. With courage and quiet determination, Rev. McClain, accompanied by minister George Smitherman, received his library card, symbolizing the end of segregation at the Anniston Public Library. While Rev. Reynolds was still recovering, his advocacy and bravery were instrumental in reaching this victory for equality.
Community leaders, including Anniston’s mayor, the library board, and local organizations, responded to the violence with a reward fund to bring the attackers to justice. Although four men were arrested, the case was ultimately dismissed at the request of the victims, perhaps in a spirit of reconciliation.
A New Chapter and a Legacy of Equality
In 1964, the library was renamed the Public Library of Anniston-Calhoun County following a merger with the county library. By 1966, it had moved to a new, larger location—the one where it stands today and where our children walk and explore. With contributions from the city, federal funds, and a generous benefactor, the community built a modern library building, welcoming all Anniston residents and reinforcing the ideal that libraries belong to everyone.
Reflecting on the Legacy of Anniston’s Library
My son Jordan loves to read and loves the library. The Anniston Library is his favorite place.
For me, learning about the history of Anniston’s library desegregation has been humbling. What was once just a place for my kids to find books and enjoy reading with friends now feels like a legacy we’re connected to, a place that represents the resilience of those who fought for equal access and the importance of community spaces as symbols of unity and opportunity.
My students face painting my son’s Adrien’s face.
Every visit to our library is a reminder of the power of local activism, of how ordinary people can change society, even within institutions like a library. It’s also a call to all of us to preserve and honor these spaces, ensuring they remain accessible and welcoming for everyone.
A Somber Reminder: September 15, 1963
Tragically, September 15, 1963, the day chosen for integration, was also the day of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham, Alabama, where four young girls lost their lives. This devastating event reminds us of the intense resistance that civil rights activists faced, and it adds an even deeper gravity to the struggle for equality across Alabama and beyond.
Today, Anniston’s public library stands as a tribute to those who fought for justice, equality, and the right to access information. It’s a place of learning and growth, and each visit there is opportunity to honor the legacy of those who made it possible.
My Spanish 3 class put together different projects for Hispanic Heritage month to be able to serve the children and bring awareness to the culture. This was at the Anniston Public Library.
