Largely correspondence between Russell W. Davis, chairman of the board of the Bartlesville Public Library, and others; as well as newspaper clippings regarding certain materials in the Bartlesville Public Library collection and the dismissal of librarian Ruth W. Brown in 1950.

In 1919 Ruth W. Brown (1891-1975) was hired as the head of the Bartlesville [Oklahoma] Public Library. In 1946, Brown helped established the Committee on the Practice of Democracy, which was the first Congress of Racial Equality group in that part of the country. Brown was dismissed from her job as head librarian in 1950 due to the library carrying what was then deemed to be subversive materials: Two left-wing magazines and Soviet Russia Today, a propaganda magazine. During the city council hearing to discuss this issue, questions arose about her personal life, particularly her activities with racial integration. Brown received her termination notice over the phone, never receiving written confirmation. She appealed this decision up to the Supreme Court of Oklahoma, where she eventually lost her case.

Finding Aid: Ruth W. Brown Collection, 1949-1979 (MS113)

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Submissions from 2021

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Handwritten notes- Lee Erhard, Unknown

Submissions from 2019

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33 Die-No Fireworks at Library Meeting, Unknown

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Adult Fiction is best at library, Unknown

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A.L.A Committee on Intellectual Freedom annual report, 1948-49, Unknown

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A letter to Mr. Russell Davis, Chairman, Bartlesville Library Board, Unknown

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A Letter to Mr. Russell Davis, from Publishers Weekly v.142. p.924-925. September, 1942, Unknown

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Bartlesville's Library Board Under City Wing, Unknown

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Board Hears Report on Library Affairs, Unknown

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Board removes 'Red' Literature;Action Delayed, Unknown

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Citizens Criticize Y.W.C.A. Policies at Public meeting, Unknown

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City Dads Request Board to probe books, operations, Unknown

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City Fathers Discussion Union at meeting, Unknown

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City Library Chief fired Tuesday nite, Unknown

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Collision of Ideas Fans Violent Fuss, Unknown

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Department of Justice, Washington D.C., Letter from James M. McInerney to Russell W. Davis, Unknown

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Explanation Given On Discharge of City Librarian, Unknown

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Former City Librarian Denied Reinstatement, Unknown

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Group Appears Before Board On Dismissal of Miss Brown, Unknown

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Handwritten letter from Susan Woodruff to R.W.Davis, Unknown

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Insubordination Given as Factor In Library Case, Unknown

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Letter from Bartlesville Library Board to Mr. Lee C. Erhard, Unknown

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Letter from Clarence S. Paine to Russell W.Davis, Unknown

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Letter from Donald Schoolman to R.W.Davis on May 4, 1950, Unknown

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Letter from Don V. Purington to Russell W. Davis, Unknown

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Letter from Don V. Purington to Russell W. Davis, Unknown

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Letter from Don V. Purington to Russell W. Davis, Unknown

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Letter from Era Sanderson to R.W.Davis dated July 8th 1950, Unknown

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Letter from George N. Cade to R.W.Davis dated May 8, 1950, Unknown

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Letter from James E. Gourley to Mr. Russel W. Davis, Unknown

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Letter from J.R.Dale to R.W.Davis dated August 14, 1950, Unknown

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Letter from Lee Erhard to R.W.Davis, Unknown

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Letter from Lee Erhard to R.W. Davis dated July 13th 1950, Unknown

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Letter from Lee Erhard to R.W.Davis dated July 4th 1950, Unknown

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Letter from Lucy Ann Babcock to Mr. Russell W. Davis, Unknown

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Letter from Lucy Ann Babcock to Mr. Russell W. Davis dated June 15, 1950, Unknown

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Letter from Mrs. Yeakel to R.W.Davis dated July 28, 1950, Unknown

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Letter from president, secretary and other committee members of the library board to the City Commissioners Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Unknown

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Letter from R.H.Hudson to R.W.Davis dated May 5th 1950, Unknown

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Letter from R.W.Davis to Board of City Commissioners, Unknown

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Letter from R.W.Davis to D.K.Berninghausen dated August 22,1950, Unknown

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Letter from R.W.Davis to D.K.Berninghausen dated August 23,1950, Unknown

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Letter from R.W.Davis to D.K.Berninghausen dated November 16, 1950, Unknown

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Letter from R.W.Davis to Don V. Purrington, Unknown

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Letter from R.W.Davis to Mr. Donald Schoolman dated July 21st 1950, Unknown

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Letter from R.W.Davis to Mr. Lee Erhard dated June 22nd, 1950, Unknown

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Letter from R.W.Davis to Mrs. A.M. Woodruff dated May 10th, 1950, Unknown

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Letter from R.W.Davis to Mrs. J.R.Dale & Miss Luoy Ann Baboook dated July 27th 1950, Unknown

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Letter from R.W.Davis to R.C. Schmidt, Unknown

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Letter from R.W.Davis to S.R.T. Publishers, Inc.,, Unknown

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Letters to the Editor, Unknown

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Letters to the Editor, Unknown

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Letters to The Editor, Unknown

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Letters to the Editor, Unknown

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Letters to the Editor, Unknown

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Letters to the Editor April 23rd, 1950, Unknown

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Letters to the Editor Enterprise 3-26, Unknown

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Library Board talks budget, circulation, Unknown

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Library Quiz Brings Hot Clash, Unknown

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Library Red Probe Slated, Unknown

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Mrs. Lichenheld is D.A.R Guest Speaker, Unknown

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Multiple letters, Unknown

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Multiple letters, Unknown

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New Library Board Named New Fire Chief Appointed, Unknown

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Newspaper article of Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise, Unknown

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Oklahoma Bookstore Owner's Conviction Reversed, Unknown

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Report on City Library is made by citizens group, Unknown

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Resolution, Unknown

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Soviet Russia Today, Unknown

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Squeal like stuck-pigs, Unknown

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U.S.A or U.S.S.R.?, Unknown