Richmond Library — It’s Never Been Easy

The main library in Richmond, Virginia is reopening this coming weekend, but problems abound, as they always have in this city’s libraries.

  • Twice the city turned down the gift of a library from Andrew Carnegie, due to issues related to blacks’ use of the library and local financing.
  • When they finally did open a new library, it was in 1929, right before the Crash.

  • This summer, former City Librarian Robert Rieffel resigned over a flap with the Library Board having to do with use of funds. But then auditors found that Rieffel had not used any of the money inappropriately or for private gain.
  • Many members of the community are completely nonplussed about a portrait of Confederate General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson scheduled to be shown in the redecorated library. Others, including the President of the Library Foundation, African-American Benjamin J. Lambert IV, don’t seem to mind.

    But there’s good news too in this Times Dispatch article…check it out.

    • October 7, 2004 by Uncategorized 0

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