Local History Exhibits at Beatties Ford Road
A special area is set aside in Beatties Ford Road Branch Library for exhibits reflecting the history of the area and its residents. The Grand Opening exhibit will include photographs of local churches and educational institutions, photographs of Beatties Ford Road businesses and clubs, art by local students, and even a stool used in the old Grand Theater. Exhibits will be assembled and maintained by the library's Program and Exhibit Coordinator.
An African American Album, Volume II
The dedication of Beatties Ford Road Library will mark the premiere of the second volume of An African American Album, the Public Library's publication of the history of Charlotte's African American community. Volume I, published in March, 1992, featured photographs of Charlotte's African American community from 1850-1950. Volume II has been produced in a CD-ROM format which allows not only photographs, but also maps, letters, music and speeches to be included. The finished product will be featured on a dedicated computer in Beatties Ford Road Library's reference area. Copies of the CD-ROM are available to all Mecklenburg libraries and schools.Volume II has been produced with help from a $25,000 grant from the Knight Foundation plus proceeds from sales of Volume I. Volume I was published with a $50,000 grant from the Knight Foundation and edited and annotated by Elizabeth Schmoke Randolph, retired educator and now Vice Chairman of the Library Board of Trustees.
Honoring Elizabeth Randolph
Elizabeth Schmoke Randolph has served the citizens of Mecklenburg County for many years, first as a teacher and public school administrator, then as a Library Trustee. In 1992 she edited and annotated An African American Album, The Library's photographic history of Charlotte's African American community. She also was instrumental in encouraging PLCMC to publish in 1996 Plum Thickets and Field Daisies, a memoir of Charlotte's Brooklyn Neighborhood by Charlotte educator Rose Leary Love. Mrs. Randolph, who was a friend and mentor to Mrs. Love, donated the manuscript to The Library following Mrs. Love's death. Mrs. Randolph has been a resident of the Beatties Ford Road community for many years, and has taken an active role in planning the new library. In 1996 she returned to serve on the Library Board of Trustees, presently as Vice Chairman.In recognition of Mrs. Randolph's service to The Public Library and her strong ties to the Beatties Ford Road community, former Director Robert Cannon and the Library Board of Trustees have voted to name the meeting room in the new library the "Elizabeth S. Randolph Community Meeting Room."
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