Woodson Regional
About this Library
The Carter G. Woodson Regional Library opened on Carter G. Woodson Regional Library opened December 9, 1975 in a two-story building housing the Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature, the largest collection of its kind in the Midwest. A new 11,000 square foot wing was added in 1998 to expand the Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection. A Children's Library, Social Sciences, Humanities, Science & Technology, Serials, and Media Center comprise the public service areas.
The regional library was named after Dr. Carter G. Woodson, known as the father of African American historiography. A prolific writer and founder of the Association for the Study of Negro History and Life, Woodson made numerous contributions to the study of African American history and culture. In 1921, he established Associated Publishers, which still publishes the Journal of Negro History. In 1926, he proposed and established an annual observance, "Negro History Week," which grew into the nationally celebrated African American History Month held each February.
The regional library features a sculpture by Richard Hunt entitled Jacob?s Ladder, a mural by Aoko Omwony-Hope, and sculptures by Charles Searles and Bernard Williams.