Published: June 19, 2025

Information Gone Wild, the podcast by San José State University’s iSchool, recently featured Dr. Nicole Cooke, Augusta Baker Endowed Chair and professor at the University of South Carolina, to discuss her powerful new book, “The Legacy of Black Women in Librarianship.” In this episode, Dr. Cooke dives into the emotional journey of writing the book, the women who inspired it, and how librarianship can be a radical act of change.

Q: What inspired you to write The Legacy of Black Women in Librarianship?

Dr. Cooke: When I assumed the Augusta Baker Endowed Chair in 2019, I realized I knew little about her. As I researched her legacy, I found the names of other Black women librarians whose stories also deserved to be told. The book was a natural evolution from that research.

Q: What brings you joy outside of your academic work?

Dr. Cooke: My dogs, crafting, weekends off — these give me space to recharge. I’ve learned to create balance, and that brings me joy.

Q: How did the recent dismissal of Dr. Carla Hayden impact you?

Dr. Cooke: I was devastated. She wasn’t just the first African American Librarian of Congress — she was the first librarian in that role. Her advocacy and leadership were profound. Her dismissal felt like a blow to all of us in the profession.

Q: Which stories in your book moved you the most?

Dr. Cooke: The poetry honoring Augusta Baker and Charlemae Rollins was special, as was the chapter on Sadie Peterson Delaney, a pioneer in bibliotherapy and veterans’ services. Her work was deeply human and healing.

Q: If this book became a series, which story would you feature first?

Dr. Cooke: Mamie Clayton’s story would make for a visually rich episode. Also, Augusta Baker and Charlemae Rollins — they were early advocates for diverse books, long before it was a movement.

Q: How emotionally difficult was the research?

Dr. Cooke: Extremely. I’ve found racist, sexist comments in archival materials. Sometimes I had to walk away. But I also found community — people who were passionate about honoring these legacies.

Q: How can today’s librarians amplify marginalized voices?

Dr. Cooke: Start with your local history. Research overlooked figures in your own institutions. Read the book. Share the stories. It doesn’t always mean deep research — even a poem or a social media post helps keep the legacy alive.

Q: What does it mean for a librarian to be “dangerous” or “subversive”?

Dr. Cooke: Asking tough questions. Challenging the status quo. Just existing as a Black woman in librarianship can be radical. Being “dangerous” means showing up with purpose and refusing to be silent.

Q: Would you consider turning the book into an exhibition?

Dr. Cooke: Yes! We’ve done pop-up and digital exhibits with Augusta Baker’s archives and would love to expand on that. There’s so much potential to bring these stories into visual spaces.

Q: Did anything not make it into the book that you’d still like to share?

Dr. Cooke: There are so many stories that didn’t fit. Some didn’t leave behind enough material. But I’d love to see a second or third volume — and even a book from Black male librarians.

Q: What’s your perspective on librarianship and AI?

Dr. Cooke: I’ve experimented with ChatGPT. The key is knowing how to ask the right questions. But AI systems reflect the biases of their creators. We need more BIPOC professionals shaping these tools, or we risk erasing even more stories.

Q: Is there a question you wish people asked about the book?

Dr. Cooke: I’m just grateful people are reading it. But I’d love to talk more about how it’s being used in classes. I’m currently teaching a course on Black librarianship, and we’re using my book and others to broaden students’ perspectives.

Q: How has your view of librarianship changed over your career?

Dr. Cooke: I used to believe libraries were for everyone. But I’ve learned that’s not always true. Racism and bias exist within our profession. We need to fix our house before we claim inclusivity to the outside world.

Q: Tell us about your upcoming lecture at the 2025 ALA Conference.

Dr. Cooke: I’ll be giving the Jean Coleman Lecture titled We Will Not Be Erased. Inspired by Octavia Butler and others, it’s a call to action for BIPOC librarians to survive and thrive despite the current challenges.

Q: And finally, how do you care for yourself?

Dr. Cooke: I knit and crochet. It keeps my hands busy and allows me to create something beautiful — for myself and others. It’s meditative and healing.

Tune in to the full episode of Information Gone Wild for an inspiring, thought-provoking look at the legacy of Black women in librarianship — and why now, more than ever, their stories matter.