Augusta Baker, Prominent Librarian and Storyteller, Dies at 86

Staff -- School Library Journal, 4/1/1998

Augusta Baker, renowned as a spellbinding storyteller, influential librarian, and pioneering promoter of quality black children's literature, died February 23 in Columbia, SC, after a long illness. She was 86.

In 37 years at the New York Public Library, Baker became a towering figure in the world of children's librarianship, rising from the job of branch librarian in Harlem to the prestigious post of Coordinator of Children's Services. One of her greatest achievements was making librarians and publishers aware of the offensive stereotypes often used to depict black characters in children's books.

A leader in the American Library Association, Baker served as President of the Children's Services Division (now the Association for Library Service to Children) and on ALA's Council and Executive Board. In 1975, ALA made her an honorary life member.

In her later life, Baker moved to Columbia, SC where, in 1980, she became storyteller-in-residence at the University of South Carolina's College of Library and Information Science. In 1986, the university and the Richland County Public Library started an annual storytelling festival in her honor called A(ugusta) Baker's Dozen.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Augusta Baker Library Fund, Thomas Cooper Library, University of South Carolina Educational Foundation, Columbia, SC 29208.