1. Overview
Ernestine Rose (March 19, 1880 - March 28, 1961) was a pioneering American librarian whose work profoundly influenced community-focused library services and the preservation of cultural heritage. She is prominently recognized for her leadership at the New York Public Library's 135th Street Branch in Harlem, where she spearheaded the acquisition of the invaluable Arthur A. Schomburg collection, laying the foundation for the renowned Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Throughout her career, Rose championed inclusive practices, advocating for programs that helped immigrant communities adapt to a new country and fostering racial pride and cultural development within the African American community during the Harlem Renaissance. Her philosophy emphasized the library as a vital community hub, dedicated to social inclusion and the celebration of diverse cultures.
2. Early Life and Education
Ernestine Rose's foundational years were marked by a commitment to education and an early exposure to diverse communities, which shaped her progressive views on library services.
2.1. Early Influences and Education
Ernestine Rose was born on March 19, 1880, in Bridgehampton, New York. She was named after Ernestine Polowsky Rose, a notable nineteenth-century feminist. Rose pursued her higher education at Wesleyan University and the New York State Library School at Albany, from which she graduated in 1904. During her studies at the New York State Library School, she gained practical experience through a summer job at a branch of the New York Public Library (NYPL) situated on the Lower East Side of New York City. This experience provided her with direct exposure to Russian-Jewish immigrant communities and their distinct culture. Through this, she developed a philosophy that emphasized creating library programs designed to help immigrants adjust to their new country, a contrast to the prevailing "Americanization" policies of the era which sought to assimilate them.
3. Career
Ernestine Rose's professional career as a librarian was distinguished by her innovative leadership and dedication to serving diverse communities across New York City.
3.1. World War I Service
During World War I, Ernestine Rose contributed to the war effort by serving as the director of hospital libraries for the American Library Association (ALA). In this role, she oversaw library services for injured service members, highlighting the importance of literature and resources for morale and recovery.
3.2. Seward Park Branch
Upon her return to New York in 1915, Rose took on the role of head librarian at the Seward Park Branch of the New York Public Library. This branch was located within a vibrant Jewish immigrant community in New York City, and she held this position until 1917. At Seward Park, Rose actively encouraged her library assistants to become well-versed in Jewish and Yiddish culture, as well as Russian holidays, customs, and literature. Her intention was to cultivate a deeper sensitivity and understanding among her staff towards the specific cultural needs of the surrounding community.
3.3. 135th Street Branch, Harlem
In 1920, Ernestine Rose became the branch librarian at the 135th Street Branch in Harlem. This period marked a transformative chapter in her career, as she dedicated herself to making the library an indispensable community center during the flourishing Harlem Renaissance.
3.3.1. Branch Transformation and Community Integration
The 135th Street Branch had originally opened in 1905 when the surrounding neighborhood was primarily inhabited by middle-class Jewish residents. However, following World War I, a significant demographic shift occurred with the migration of Southern Blacks, Caribbean, and South American Blacks into the area. By the time Rose was appointed in 1920, Harlem had become a predominantly African-American neighborhood. Recognizing that many existing cultural institutions were not adequately serving this new community, Rose immediately set out to integrate the library more fully. Her primary goal was to make the library an integral part of the community, providing guidance and actively promoting racial pride. One of her first significant steps was to diversify the library staff, hiring four new library assistants of color. Among these pioneering staff members were Catherine Allen Latimer, Pura Belpré, and Nella Larsen.
3.3.2. Community Programs and Outreach
Rose's vision extended to developing comprehensive programs that engaged and served the local Harlem community. She actively encouraged community groups to utilize the library for meetings and organized various initiatives, including reading groups, story hours for children, and free public lectures. The library also hosted exhibitions featuring the works of Black artists and sculptors, and Rose established a specialized reference collection dedicated to Black literature. In 1922, demonstrating her commitment to professional development and community-specific challenges, Rose collaborated with the American Library Association to organize a group of librarians. This group convened to exchange ideas and discuss issues related to working effectively with African Americans in library settings.
3.3.3. Acquisition of the Schomburg Collection
A landmark achievement during Rose's tenure was the acquisition of the Arthur A. Schomburg collection. In 1924, Rose worked collaboratively with Franklin F. Hopper, who was the chief of the circulation department at the Central Branch of the New York Public Library, alongside the National Urban League and the American Association for Adult Education. Together, they successfully secured a combined grant of 15.00 K USD from the Rosenwald Fund and the Carnegie Corporation. These funds were crucial for their efforts. They formed the Harlem Committee, with the explicit goal of utilizing the grant to develop cultural, vocational, and social programs within the Harlem community. By 1926, this committee oversaw the pivotal purchase of Arthur A. Schomburg's extensive collection. This acquisition was integrated into the library's Division of Negro Literature and History, which would later evolve into the renowned Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. The collection itself was monumental, comprising over 5,000 volumes, 3,000 manuscripts, 2,000 etchings and portraits, and several thousand pamphlets, all showcasing the rich history and culture of African Americans. The grant not only facilitated the purchase but also enabled the hiring of Schomburg himself to head the newly acquired collection, ensuring its dedicated care and development.
3.3.4. Collaborative Initiatives
Beyond her direct leadership at the 135th Street Branch, Rose was instrumental in forging collaborative initiatives that broadened the library's impact. Her partnership with the American Library Association, the National Urban League, and the American Association for Adult Education secured vital funding and established the Harlem Committee, which developed extensive cultural, vocational, and social programs. These programs featured well-known speakers and offered vocational classes through organizations such as the YWCA and the Urban League, addressing the diverse needs of the community. In 1933, the library further collaborated with the Works Progress Administration (WPA) to host a significant writers project, providing support and opportunities for local literary talent.
3.4. Later Career and Retirement
Ernestine Rose's influence extended beyond her direct branch leadership. After retiring from the New York Public Library in 1942, she continued to contribute to the field of librarianship. From 1928 to 1947, she served as a faculty member at the Columbia University Graduate School of Library Service (now the Columbia University School of Library Service), where she shared her extensive knowledge and pioneering philosophies with future generations of librarians.
4. Philosophy and Approach
Ernestine Rose's approach to librarianship was characterized by a progressive and socially conscious philosophy, deeply committed to cultural understanding and community empowerment.
4.1. Immigrant Adaptation Philosophy
Rose held a distinct belief in providing library programs that genuinely helped immigrants adapt to their new country. This approach stood in stark contrast to the prevalent "Americanization" policies of her time, which often sought to impose assimilation. Instead, Rose emphasized supporting immigrants in navigating their new environment while respecting and preserving their cultural identities. Her work at the Seward Park Branch, where she encouraged staff to understand Jewish and Russian customs, exemplified this philosophy.
4.2. Championing Black Culture and Identity
Rose's tenure at the 135th Street Branch in Harlem demonstrated her profound commitment to promoting Black literature, art, and history. She believed in fostering a strong sense of racial pride within the African American community, actively using library resources and programming to achieve this. By hiring staff of color, organizing exhibitions of Black artists, developing a dedicated collection of Black literature, and securing the Arthur A. Schomburg collection, she ensured the library became a beacon for cultural affirmation and a repository of Black intellectual and artistic heritage during the Harlem Renaissance.
5. Works
Ernestine Rose's professional insights and experiences were also captured in her significant published works, which reflect her dedication to librarianship and community service.
- "Vital Distinctions of a Library Apprentice Course" (Bulletin of the American Library Association, Volume 10, July 1916)
- "Bridging the gulf;work with the Russian Jews and other newcomers" (Immigrant publication society, 1917)
- "Serving New York's Black City" (Library Journal, March 1921, pages 255-258)
- "Work with Negroes Round Table" (Bulletin of the American Library Association, Volume 15, July 1921)
- "Work with Negroes Round Table" (Bulletin of the American Library Association, Volume 16, July 1922)
- "The Public Library in American Life" (Columbia University Press, 1954)
- "Rescuing Ernestine Rose (1880-1961): Harlem Librarian and Social Activist, by Ann Sandford" (Long Island History Journal, Volume 22, Issue 2, 2011)
6. Legacy and Impact
Ernestine Rose's work left an indelible mark on library science and community engagement, particularly through her efforts in promoting cultural inclusivity and preserving African American heritage.
6.1. Contributions to Librarianship
Rose's pioneering efforts significantly contributed to the development of community-centered library services. She challenged traditional library models by actively advocating for the inclusion and comprehensive support of minority cultures, especially immigrant and African American communities. Her emphasis on outreach, culturally sensitive programming, and diverse staffing set new standards for how libraries could serve as dynamic and responsive community hubs, rather than mere repositories of books.
6.2. Establishment of the Schomburg Center
Her most critical and lasting contribution was her instrumental role in the acquisition of the Arthur A. Schomburg collection. This monumental collection became the foundational core of what is now the internationally renowned Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Rose's foresight and persistent efforts in securing funding and overseeing this acquisition ensured the preservation of a vast and invaluable body of Black history, literature, and art, making it accessible for scholarly research and public education for generations to come. The Schomburg Center stands as a testament to her vision for a library that not only serves its immediate community but also acts as a global center for the study of the African diaspora.