History
In August 2002, Vanessa Jarebu Morris, an African American librarian serving with the Free Library of Philadelphia, began inquiring with other colleagues about starting a professional development organization for African American librarians and those who serve in libraries that cater to the African American community. She felt it was imperative for librarians to be able to gather together and discuss professional issues, mentor one another and support one another through the stresses of public service. Morris also felt that it was important to have an organization in the city of Philadelphia that directly advocates for the information needs within the African American culture base.
Morris enlisted the help and support of Helen Miller, Darren Cottman, and Patricia Kelker to organize a meeting of African American librarians employed within the Free Library of Philadelphia. The first meeting occurred in November 2002, at the Central Library, with support from the Free Library administration. 26 librarians attended this initial event, including administrators within the Free Library.
In 2003, Darren and Vanessa began organizing and facilitating monthly meetings located in various library locations throughout the city. These meetings allowed librarians from all areas to participate in thoughtful, intentional discussion about what was needed and desired for professional development and networking within the professional ranks of African American librarians in Philadelphia. Via networking to other colleagues, African American librarians from other institutions began to join the meetings by Spring 2003.
August 15, 2003, the bylaws and constitution for Philadelphia’s Gathering of African Americans in Library Service (GOALS) was voted on and ratified at a monthly meeting held at the West Philadelphia Regional Library, with 17 librarians in attendance.
Official elections occurred in Fall 2003, with Vanessa Morris elected as the organization’s first President, and Darren Cottman as its first Vice-President/President Elect. Angela Willie was elected as the first treasurer, and Carmen Rose as its first secretary. Patricia Kelker was invited to serve as Advisor Emeritus.
By February 2003, Rose resigned from her post due to family concerns. Conita Pearson was invited to complete the term as the organization’s first secretary.
The theme for the inaugural year (2004) of GOALS was “building a thriving membership,” with a goal of registering 50 librarians and library workers as members of the organization. It was important to promote the organization and network with librarians outside of the Free Library of Phialdelphia, in order to create a wholistic group that represented African American librarians and African American library service throughout the Philadelphia area. Through various membership drive initiatives, namely monthly membership meetings located throughout the city, a membership BBQ in July 2004, and an anniversary gala event in August 2004, GOALS surpassed it membership goal by boasting a registered membership of 75 paid members by September 2004.
In Fall 2004, GOALS awarded its first $500.00 scholarship to school librarian Abdul Tabb, who serves as a media specialist in Camden, New Jersey.
By the time of the general membership meeting in December 2004, GOALS had garnered a respectable reputation with other professional associations locally and nationally, and had begun the process of applying for affiliate membership with the Black Caucus of the American Library Association. GOALS members had joined BCALA and became active on various BCALA committees.
For the future, GOALS can be a significant voice in the realms of advocacy for African American library service and culturally specific professional development for African American librarians. What will be needed is renewed excitement and enthusiasm in GOALS’s unique position to service its cultural community in innovative ways.
