Pauline Robinson

Pauline Robinson
Librarian
1915 - 1997
INDUCTED 2000

Determined and persevering, Pauline Short Robinson was a trailblazer who in 1943 became the first African-American librarian in Denver.

An Emily Griffith Opportunity School graduate, she earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Denver and did extensive graduate work. The University of Denver graduate discovered that since the library system had few books for African-American children, Robinson sold home-baked goods to earn money to buy a book collection. After working in several branches of the Denver Public Library, she spent 15 years as coordinator of Children’s Services. Robinson established one of the largest summer reading programs in the country, introduced Reading Is Fundamental to Denver, and served on the selection committees for the nation’s two most prestigious children’s book awards.

“Reading Is Fundamental” — Pauline Short Robinson