John C. Tyson (librarian)

John C. Tyson
Born(1951-08-04)August 4, 1951
Richlands, Virginia
DiedNovember 7, 1995(1995-11-07) (aged 44)
Occupationformer State Librarian of Virginia

John C. Tyson (August 4, 1951 – November 7, 1995) was the first African-American State Librarian of Virginia. Tyson received his bachelor's degree from Concord College in West Virginia and master's degrees from the University of Illinois and West Virginia University, and his doctorate in library administration from Simmons College in Boston.[1]

Dr. Tyson was appointed Virginia State Librarian by Governor Douglas Wilder in 1990.[2] He was the first African-American to hold the position in Virginia and only the second in the nation to head a state library system. Tyson was a strong advocate of public access to state library resources and spearheaded efforts to connect the Library of Virginia to all libraries in the Commonwealth.[3][4]

Tyson served for five years as University Librarian at the University of Richmond and was a founding member of the Black Caucus of the American Library Association.[5]

  1. ^ Biddle, Dr. Stanton F. (1 December 1995). "Remembering John Tyson". Library Journal. 120 (20): 62.
  2. ^ Jackson, Andrew P.; Jefferson Jr., Julius; Nosakhere, Akilah S. (2012). The 21st-Century Black Librarian in America: Issues and Challenges. Scarecrow Press. p. 106. ISBN 9780810882454.
  3. ^ Jett, Cathy (7 Jun 1991). "State Librarian hopes to connect Virginia". The Free Lance-Star. p. 21. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  4. ^ "Senate Joint Resolution No. 47". Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  5. ^ "John C. Tyson Minority Scholarship Endowment". University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Retrieved 13 January 2016.