A Pioneering Librarian at Ball State
By: Melissa Gentry
In honor of Black History Month: Juanita Smith (1923-2006), the very first African American librarian at Ball State University
Juanita graduated from Muncie Central High School in 1941. After earning a bachelor’s degree from Ball State, she taught in Indianapolis before returning to campus as a secretary in the dean’s and the director of graduation studies offices.
Juanita Smith (1948)
She earned a master’s degree in library science in 1951 (University of Michigan) and joined the Libraries, serving as the special collections librarian (archives) and associate professor of library services, retiring after over 30 years in 1983.
Juanita was the associate editor of the Steinbeck Quarterly and the Steinbeck Monograph and published articles for other scholarly publications. She curated a number of exhibits at the library, including a collection related to the works of Voltaire and rare copies of “Alice in Wonderland,” including a book signed by Alice Hargreaves, for whom the original story was written.
Juanita Smith (1956)
She was actively involved in the community: a member of the League of Women Voters, the American Association of University Women, the Human Relations Council, the American Library Association, the Society of American Archivists, and Delta kappa Gamma Society. Juanita also served on the Muncie YWCA Youth Council and the Heart Association.
After retirement, Juanita worked as a volunteer with RSVP, the Children’s Clothing Center, and selected books for shut-ins for the Muncie Public Library. She also cataloged books for the Delaware County Historical Alliance (now Historical Society) Resource Center. Juanita was also actively involved with the Delaware County Retired Teachers Association and Muncie Matinee Musicale.