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Material Information

Title:
Oral History Interview with Janet Hansen
Creator:
Hansen, Janet ( Narrator )
Clark, Saige ( Interviewer )
Publisher:
African American Research Library and Cultural Center
Publication Date:
Language:
English
Physical Description:
47:42

Notes

Abstract:
"Saige Clark interviews Janet Hansen on April 12, 2024 at the African American Research Library and Cultural Center. Janet Hansen was born in a small town near Marietta, Ohio. In her interview, Janet discusses her parents’ English, Welsh and German ancestry. She briefly describes her childhood in a small farmer town where she attended Defiance Solcum Elementary School and Defiance High School. Janet attended Ohio State University for her undergraduate degree in anthropology, and the University of South Florida for her master’s degree in library science. Janet recounts her time in Zambia with her husband where they both became English teachers. She established her first library at a secondary school. She explains why she pursued higher education in library science and her time in librarianship in Ohio and Florida. Janet discusses her contributions in the Fort Lauderdale Library system. She explains the creation of the Library-in-Action program in 1976 at Broward County Library. She credits her co-workers, Tyrone Bryant, Samuel Morrison, and Tanya Simons-Oprah for helping create the program and recalls the challenges they faced during the project. Janet sheds light on disparities that unincorporated communities such as Collier City experienced by not having access to community centers or libraries. She also highlights how black youth were disproportionately affected in literacy and reading comprehension due to the systemic barriers and politics that prevented low-income communities from accessing libraries and books. The Library-in-Action program impacted the communities by serving as a hub for after school students where they received homework help, tutoring, food, mentorship, and a safe haven. "
Funding:
This content is part of a Mellon Foundation-funded project coordinated by the Wolfsonian Public Humanities Lab (WPHL) at FIU and eight community partner institutions titled "Community Data Curation: Preserving, Creating, and Narrating Everyday Stories."
Creation/Production Credits:
Saige Clark edited and transcribed this interview.

Record Information

Source Institution:
African American Research Library and Cultural Center
Holding Location:
African American Research Library and Cultural Center
Rights Management:
All applicable rights reserved by the source institution and holding location.

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