A New Library Card for Rep. John Lewis | Picture of the Week

by SLJ
Dec 08, 2016 | Filed in News
Staff at the Fairfax County (VA) Library sent a new library card to "March" trilogy author John Lewis, who was denied one in 1956 because of his race.

In his National Book Award acceptance speech for the graphic memoir March: Book Three (Top Shelf), Congressman John Lewis told the audience that in 1956, he was refused a library card at his local rural Alabama library because of his race. In response, staff at the Fairfax County (VA) Library recently sent him one, welcoming him to stop by any of their branches—and encouraged other libraries to do the same.

lewis-card

Photo courtesy of the Fairfax County Public Library

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