
Architect’s rendering of John B. Coleman Library – Groundbreaking Ceremony 1986
25th Anniversary
Negro Teacher-Librarian Training Program
W. R. BANKS LIBRARY 1945 – 1988
ABOUT THE W. R. BANKS LIBRARY
W. R. Banks Library 1945-1988
Dr. W. R. Banks

The beginning of the W.R. Banks Library 1944
LIBRARY DIRECTORS & HEAD LIBRARIANS
1987 – 1988 – Dr. Adele S. Dendy
1986 – 1987 – Mrs. Joyce Thornton (Interim Library Director)
1984 – 1986 – Dr. Donald Sweet
1983 – 1984 – Mrs. Joyce Thornton (Interim Library Director)
1970 – 1983 – Mr. Frank Francis, Jr.
1968 – 1970 – Mr. O. J. Baker – Head Librarian
1966 – 1968 – Mr. Williams Scott – Head Librarian
1931 – 1966 – Mr. O. J. Baker – Head Librarian
THE LIBRARY & STAFF
1982 – W. R. Banks Library Staff
1972 – W. R. Banks Library Staff
1970 – W. R. Banks Library Staff
Early Years – W. R. Banks Library Staff
JOHN B. COLEMAN LIBRARY 1988 –
ABOUT THE JOHN B. COLEMAN LIBRARY
John B. Coleman Library 1988-1989
Dr. John B. Coleman

Founding of the John B. Coleman Library
Dedication of the John B. Coleman Library
President Pierre and McKee Contractors at the
Groundbreaking Ceremony for the
John B. Coleman Library – 1986
DEAN OF LIBRARIES
2025 – present – Mr. Joel B. Thornton
DIRECTORS OF LIBRARIES
Sept, 2025 – Oct, 2025 – Dr. Cheryle Snead-Greene (Interim Library Director)
2024 – 2025 – Mr. Karl Henson (Interim Library Director)
2018 – 2024 – Dr. Musa W. Olaka
2016 – 2018 – Dr. James A. Wilson, Jr. (Interim Library Director)
2005 – 2016 – Dr. Rosie L. Albritton
2004 – 2005 – Mrs. Helen Yeh (Interim Library Director)
2000 – 2004 – Dr. Frank Bruno
1997 – 2000 – Mrs. Helen Yeh (Interim Library Director)
1992 – 1997 – Dr. Dudley Yates
1991 – 1992 – Mrs. Helen Yeh (Interim Library Director)
1988 – 1991 – Dr. Adele S. Dendy
THE LIBRARY & STAFF
Current John B. Coleman Library Staff
1988-1989 – John B. Coleman Library Staff
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