1945-
Wilma Grey was the first African American woman to be the director of Newark Public Library, from 2005-2015. She was an employee of the Newark Public Library for 46 years.
Wilma grew up in Newark, near the library’s Roseville branch where she enjoyed reading Nancy Drew. She graduated Arts High School in 1962, as Class President. She then attended Howard University, class of 1966. At Howard, she stated she enjoyed swimming, skating and art and music, and was majoring in psychology.
Wilma began working at the library in 1969, starting on the arts and social science desk while on summer break from Boston University’s School of Education. She ended up staying and receiving her MLIS with the help of Julia Sabine. She married Daine Grey in 1982.
As director she focused on literacy and education, and improved the relationship with the union. “Books and the possibility of learning things have been the centerpiece of my life,” she said on her retirement.
Bibliography
Digital.npl.org: Photo, mentions
Image from Newark Library
Chase ad, Star Ledger Aug 2, 1964
“Awarded Scholarship” Newark News Jun 30, 1965
DiIonno, Mark “A Life Devoted to a Love For Literacy” Star Ledger Dec 20, 2015