Clara Stanton Jones
(May 14, 1913 – September 30, 2012)
The first African-American president of the American Library Association, serving as its acting president from April 11 to July 22, 1976
Ms. Jones was the first African-American president of the American Library Association, serving as its acting president from April 11 to July 22 in 1976 and then its president from July 22, 1976, to 1977. She was also appointed the director of the Detroit Public Library (1970–1978), becoming the first African-American director of a major city public library in the United States.
She was part of many membership boards which are the following:
Jones founded the discussion group, Black Women Stirring the Waters
Black Caucus of the American Library Association
Social Responsibilities Round Table
Public Library Association
NAACP
American Civil Liberties Union
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom
Association for the Study of Negro Life and History
National Council of Negro Women
Jones served as the director for Detroit Public Library from 1970 to 1978, becoming the first African American to head a major public library in the United States. She served as the first black president of the American Library Association in 1976 to 1977. During her presidency, she heavily aided the ALA adoption of a “Resolution on Racism and Sexism Awareness” to encourage librarians to raise the awareness of library patrons and staff to problems of racism and sexism. She advocated the passing of the “Resolution on Racism and Sexism Awareness” in 1977 despite the ALA’s Intellectual Freedom Committee’s recommendation to the ALA Executive Board that the resolution be rescinded.
President Jimmy Carter appointed Jones as Commissioner to the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science in 1978. She served this post until 1982.
Jones received the Trailblazer Award in 1990 from the Black Caucus of the ALA, the highest award given by BCALA. The award recognizes individuals whose pioneering contributions have been outstanding and unique, and whose efforts have “blazed a trail” in the profession.
Clara Stanton Jones died peacefully in her sleep on September 30th, 2012 in Oakland California at the age of 99. She is survived by her three children, seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.