Behind the Scenes: The Unknown Black Women of the IU Libraries and Archives

By: Arielle Pare, Bicentennial Intern, Class of 2021, International Studies, French, Bloomington

 The documentation of history is a powerful and necessary responsibility for any community that wishes to reflect on its past. Within the Bloomington campus resides vast amounts of information chronicling the individuals, organizations, and events that made IU the school it is today.

However, the individuals who contributed to the organization of the archives and libraries are rarely known outside of the library. Interestingly, many of these women were also minorities: Wilma Moore, Grace Jackson-Brown, and Gloria Gibson. These Black women dedicated their skills to enriching the quality and quantity of resources that IU students, staff, and faculty enjoyed.

Minorities at IU Libraries

In research it is important to acknowledge who is afforded the opportunity to record an institution’s history.

IU’s first documented Black faculty member, Richard D. Johnson, was hired in 1951.^[1] IU Libraries did not have a recorded Black faculty member until 1989, and the first Black staff member’s identity remains unknown.^[2] Consequently, few people of color participated in the formation of archives.

In 1974, Black women started to gain a foothold in library science at IU. In July 1983, IU Libraries and the School of Library Information Sciences began exploring more recruitment opportunities for minorities by establishing a minority fellowship and research library recruitment program.^[3]

However, some of these opportunities were under-funded or had no salary. The Afro-American Affairs Library was one such place, as participants with tenure were requested to “donate time” to run the library.”[4]

This was undoubtedly only one of a number of obstacles that Black librarians faced while serving their community; however, these women worked through this adversity to make libraries the more inclusive institutions they are today.

Wilma Moore

“I have spent the past 30 years doing work that I thoroughly enjoy–toiling in the Indiana history vineyard helping others find material for their storyboards.”^[5]

The Black Culture Center Library’s first librarian, Wilma Moore, was a “trailblazer,” paving the way for future archivists and librarians to make an impact on the Bloomington campus.^[6]

Wilma Moore[7] was born on March 21, 1951 in Indianapolis, where she attended racially segregated schools.^[8] She achieved her B.S. in sociology at Indiana University in 1973 and her Master’s degree in library science in 1974.^[9] Her “undeniable love of history” started early in her career and continued throughout her life as she actively participated in organizations such as the Indiana African American Genealogy Group and the Association for the Study of African American Life and History.^[10]

In 1975, Moore was the supervisor for the Multi-Media Resources Center in the Office of Afro-American Affairs and an Adjunct Affiliate Librarian in the University Library.^[11] On October 10, 1975, she became head of the Black Culture Center Library. Moore left IU in February 1977 and worked for six years in library administration and supervising Indiana library projects such as the Books to People Program.[12]

When Moore joined the Black Culture Center Library (now known as the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center Library), which was established in 1972, its role was more of an informal reading room with a “learning resource center” for research and information purposes as well as simple curiosity.^[13]

In 1983 she returned to Bloomington and was appointed Associate Librarian in the Halls of Residence Library.^[14] In this position, she held several responsibilities, including hiring and supervising graduate students and being part of several committees involved with library administration. She also participated in orientation and teaching activities and worked directly with students.[15]

Moore also impacted libraries outside of Indiana University. She was the outreach program director for the Indianapolis Program Library in 1977.[16] She ensured that public branches would be welcome and open to everyone.[17] From 1986-2017, she was the senior archivist of African American History at the Indiana Historical Society.[18] In her roles, Moore raised awareness about the inequalities and challenges that minorities faced as librarians by speaking about providing valuable information about people of color.[19]

Throughout her career, Moore showed passion, dedication, and humility in her research and never failed to lose sight of the significance of history and research. After receiving the American Association for State and Local History’s Award of Merit in 2016, she reflected on the impact that she had made on students, people of color, and Hoosiers alike.

Moore achieved recognition for her research in the form of many other awards, including the Eli Lilly Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017 and the African Unity Festival’s Culture Advocate Award in 2003, and was on the cover of the February issue of Indianapolis Woman Magazine in 2003.^[20]

Moore stayed in Bloomington until her death on April 18, 2018. She died a few days after the Department of Library and Information Sciences at the School of Informatics and Computing at IUPUI created the Wilma Gibbs Moore Graduate Scholarship.^[21] Many viewed her as an indispensable source of information for the community.

Dr. Grace Jackson-Brown

“The Indiana University Libraries can and should play a role in combating racism in raising awareness about cultural diversity through its Afro-American Studies collection and other Collections.”

Grace Jackson-Brown was head of the Black Culture Center Library from 1991-2007,^[22] and is credited with computerizing its systems.^[23] She earned her Bachelor’s degree in English and her Master’s degree in library science,[24] and earned her Ph.D. in mass communication and media studies from Indiana University in 2005.[25]

Hired under the Recruitment and Retention of Minorities and Senior Women Program in 1989, Dr. Jackson-Brown was an assistant professor from 1989-1993[26] and associate professor from 1993-2007.[27] She was also the bibliographer (an obsolete term for a subject area librarian) of Afro-American Studies^[28] and an administrator in the Weil Journalism Library, the library for the Indiana University School of Journalism in Bloomington.[29]

Dr. Jackson-Brown worked at the Black Culture Center Library at a time of crucial change. In 1991, IU administration decided to make the space a formal part of the library instead of a casual study space. The Center’s research materials had also expanded,[30] having acquired collections from Black Individuals at Indiana University, such as the personal library of J. Erroll Miller, the first Black chair of the Department of Forensics (now the Criminal Justice Department).[31]

The Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center (then called the African American Culture Center[32]) had also announced a new location at 275 N. Jordan Avenue in 1990.[33] During this time, the Black Culture Center Library moved to a temporary location until the Black Culture Center was completed in 2002.[34]  Dr. Jackson-Brown facilitated the moves between these locations, which helped keep the library collections accessible to students.

While head librarian of the Black Culture Center Branch Library, Dr. Jackson-Brown ensured that its own history would not be forgotten. She compiled a list of its directors since its creation in 1972 as well as a narrative of its past.^[35]

Documenting the history of the library reflected an overarching goal that Grace Jackson-Brown achieved while at IU. Like Wilma Miller and Wilma Moore, she wished to bring to light Black achievements in all types of societal roles, with an emphasis on revealing the continual effects of racism. As IU saw “an increased demand for African-American Studies Courses” in the 1990’s, Dr. Jackson-Brown believed that access to libraries facilitate societal changes. [36]

In the 1980’s and 1990’s, under Dr. Jackson-Brown’s direction, both the Black Culture Center Library and its usership grew exponentially. Black students reported feeling much more comfortable in this area compared to the general libraries, which contributed to this growth.[37] Dr. Jackson-Brown took pride in the ability of the library to give more personalized research help to its patrons,[38] and in 1994, she stated that the library had aided “several thousand students.”^[39]

Dr. Jackson-Brown left IU in 2007 to move to Missouri State University,[40] where she is currently an associate professor.[41]

Dr. Gloria Gibson

 

“Film is a powerful vehicle by which women get to their audience… They often can capture, examine, and celebrate the views of Black womanhood.” ^[42]

Gloria Gibson caused a beneficial impact on the Black Film Center/Archives, which is one of the largest collections of Black films in the United States. Promoting film as both a form of art and documentation, Dr. Gibson helped Black individuals make their own space and share their story while also contributing to the ability of IU students to access research materials.

Dr. Gibson was born in 1951.[43] She grew up in Illinois, earning her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Southern Illinois University[44] and her Ph.D. in philosophy in 1987 from Indiana University.[45]

Her roles at IU included an assistant professor in Afro-American Studies and the assistant director to the Black Film Center/Archive (1988-1999), as well as a professor of film studies (1988-1999).

Dr. Gibson held numerous other titles at IU. These roles included director of the Archives of Traditional Music (1995-1999), professor of folklore and ethnomusicology (1996-2005), associate vice chancellor for Multicultural Affairs (1999-2004), and acting associate dean of the Office of Research and the University Graduate School (1994-1995).[46]

Like Dr. Jackson-Brown, Dr. Gibson made significant strides in digitizing archival collections to make them more available to the public.

In the Archives of Traditional Music, she worked with the Digital Library Program to digitize the Hoagy Carmichael Collection, funded by grants from the Institute of Museum and Library Services at Indiana University. She also aided in the Strauss Expedition Project in the 1990’s and early 2000’s, which digitized the collections of Laura Boulton, an ethnomusicologist, onto a CD-ROM, which was published in 2001.[47]

Today, the Black Film Center/Archive has over 3,000 films.[48]

As the assistant director of the Black Film Center/Archive, Dr. Gibson generated an impressive amount of publicity.^[49] She and Dr. Grace Jackson-Brown also collaborated on a biography of Black film director Spike Lee with Herman C. Hudson, the founder of the African American Arts Institute.[50]

Gloria Gibson saw black films as “an opportunity to give the archive some exposure and to let people know that film can be an important tool to communicate political and social aspects of our culture.”^[51]

After she left IU, Dr. Gibson worked at numerous institutions in a variety of administrative roles including dean and provost. [52] [53] In March 2018, she was appointed president of Northeastern Illinois University, where she became the first Black woman to hold this position.[54]

In addition to their work in the archives, these women also served as a “go-to” people in the community for research, whether about IU, Black history, Indiana, or the Midwest. Their behind-the-scenes impact continues to this day, empowering individuals to seek the truth in their endeavors. Since minorities constitute less than 10% of Indiana industry professionals, including library and research services, ^[55] they continue to serve as models for aspiring people of color in their fields.

Notes

^[1] Black Faculty in Tenure Line Positions, Indiana University Office of African American Affairs records, Collection C176, Indiana University Archives, Bloomington

^[2] Hudson, Herman C. “The Black Faculty at Indiana University 1970-93,” 1994.

^[3] University Libraries 1977-1991. Indiana University Office of African American Affairs records, Collection C176, Indiana University Archives, Bloomington.

[4] The University Libraries, Indiana University Office of African American Affairs records, Collection C176, Indiana University Archives, Bloomington.

^[5] “Wilma L. Moore,” Obitio Online Obituaries, https://funeralinnovations.com/obituary/255207/Wilma-Moore/.

^[6] “Wilma L. Moore,” Obitio Online Obituaries, https://funeralinnovations.com/obituary/255207/Wilma-Moore/.

[7] Wilma Moore is also known by the name of Wilma Gibbs and Wilma Miller.

^[8] Will Higgins. “Keeper of Black History Calls It A Career.” Indianapolis Star, 26 Feb 2017, A3.

^[9] “Longtime Recorder friend and historian dies.” Indianapolis Recorder, April 26, 2018, http://www.indianapolisrecorder.com/news/article_c4462c6a-4958-11e8-ab47-73e4ce9f4576.html.

^[10] Rich Schneider, “Wilma Moore, Gifted Storyteller and Community Icon, Honored with Endowed Scholarship.” News, Indiana University, August 22, 2018, https://news.iu.edu/stories/2018/08/iupui/inside/23-wilma-moore-endowed-scholarship-african-americans-historical-society-library-indiana%20.html.

^[11] Minutes of the Board of Trustees of Indiana University, 01 March 1975.

[12] Halls of Residence Libraries, Annual Reports 1983-1984, Indiana University Halls of Residence Libraries records, Collection C329, Indiana University Archives, Bloomington.

^[13] “Students Using the BCC Learning Resource Center.” Exploring the History of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Library, https://nmbcclib.omeka.net/items/show/135

^[14] Minutes of the Board of Trustees of Indiana University, 10 October 1975.

[15] LinkedIn, “Wilma Moore.”

[16] “Sagamore.” Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, March 21, 1977.

[17] “Flanner House Library Branch Begins Programs.” The Indianapolis News, November 10, 1980, 5.

[18] LinkedIn, “Wilma Moore.”

[19] “Sagamore.” Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, March 21, 1977.

^[20] Ibid.

^[21] Rich Schneider, “Wilma Moore, Gifted Storyteller and Community Icon, Honored with Endowed Scholarship.”

^[22] Appendix, 1994 BCC Library history by Grace Jackson-Brown, Exploring the History of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center Library, 1994, https://nmbcclib.omeka.net/items/show/64

Minutes of the Board of Trustees of Indiana University, December 7, 2007.

^[23] Herman C. Hudson, “The Black Faculty at Indiana University 1970-93,” 1994.

[24] “Ken Bikoff, “African American Information Sources and Services Class at SLIS.” IU News, November 16, 2005, https://sice.indiana.edu/news/story.html?ils_id=1078

[25] “Grace M. Jackson-Brown,” Linkedin, https://www.linkedin.com/in/grace-jackson-brown-37282719/

[26] Herman C. Hudson, “The Black Faculty at Indiana University 1970-93,” 1994.

[27] Minutes of the Board of Trustees of Indiana University, December 7, 2007.

^[28] Herman C. Hudson. “The Black Faculty at Indiana University 1970-93,” 1994.

[29] LinkedIn, “Grace Jackson-Brown.” Lindsay Dewitte, “J-School Library Reopens Today.” Indiana Daily Student, November 5, 2004. https://www.idsnews.com/article/2004/11/j-school-library-reopens-today

[30] Black Culture Center Library, Indiana University Commission on Multicultural Understanding records, Collection C676, Indiana University Archives, Bloomington.

[31]The University Libraries. Indiana University Office of African American Affairs records, Collection C176, Indiana University Archives, Bloomington.

[32] “Staff News.” Indiana University Libraries, January 25, 2002, http://www.indiana.edu/~libadmin/iuln/01iuln2502.html

[33] “History.” Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center, https://blackculture.indiana.edu/about/history.html

[34] “Staff News.” Indiana University Libraries, January 25, 2002.

^[35] Appendix, 1994 BCC Library history by Grace Jackson-Brown, Exploring the History of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center Library, 1994, https://nmbcclib.omeka.net/items/show/64

[36] “Librarian Grace Jackson-Brown Report.” Exploring the History of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center Library, March 30, 1990, https://nmbcclib.omeka.net/items/show/49

[37]  Indiana University Office of African American Affairs records, Collection C176, Indiana University Archives, Bloomington.

[38] Tracy Eckels, “Old Library Branch Receives Recognition.” Indiana Daily Student, September 15, 1992.

^[39] Black Culture Center Library, Indiana University Commission on Multicultural Understanding records, Collection C676, Indiana University Archives, Bloomington.

[40] “Best wishes to Grace Jackson-Brown on her move from IU to University of Missouri.” Exploring the History of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center Library, 2007, https://nmbcclib.omeka.net/items/show/198

[41] “Dr. Grace M. Jackson-Brown.” Missouri State University, https://search.missouristate.edu/people/gjackson-brown

^[42] Travis Rigby, “Power Given Through Movies, Speaker Says.” The Daily Utah Chronicle, Feb 28, 1992.

[43] “Gloria J Gibson in the U.S. Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 1.” Ancestry Library Edition.

[44] “Gloria Gibson Named Provost at Morgan State University.” November 24, 2014, http://www.jbhe.com/2014/11/gloria-gibson-named-provost-at-morgan-state-university/

[45] “Alumni Directory.” My IU, Indiana University.

[46] Minutes of the Board of Trustees of Indiana University, November 4, 1988; May 5, 1989; August 15, 1994; September 15, 1995; December 15, 1995; February 25, 1996; September 20, 1996; August 19, 1999; November 5, 2004; June 24, 2005.

[47] “History.” Archives of Digital Music, https://indiana.edu/~libarchm/index.php/about-us/history.html

[48] Margalit Fox, “Phyllis R. Klotman, Archivist of African-American Cinema, Dies at 90.” The New York Times, April 5, 2015, https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/06/movies/phyllis-r-klotman-scholar-and-archivist-of-african-american-cinema-dies-at-90.html

^[49] Julie Deardorff. “African-American Directors take center stage at film fest.” Chicago Tribune, March 1, 1992.

[50] Herman C. Hudson, “Spike Lee and Commentaries on His Work.” 1992, https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED353622.pdf

^[51] “Blacks in Movies.” Indianapolis Star, July 7, 1992.

[52] “ASU announces new Dean of Humanities & Social Sciences,” Arkansas State University News, August 13, 2004, http://asunews.astate.edu/2004/Gibson,%20Dean%20Gloria.htm

[53] Mackenzie Elmer, “UNI Provost Resigns.” The Courier, April 11, 2014, https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/education/uni-provost-resigns/article_4d554537-56ef-5405-afce-200ddfcc7078.html

[54]Afro Staff, “Gloria Gibson is the First.”

^[55]Marcia Reed-Woodard. “Scholarship Named After Local Historian Moore.” Indianapolis Recorder, August 16, 2018, http://www.indianapolisrecorder.com/education/article_17d3c294-a16e-11e8-b5e9-93c2c2506af1.html

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