ABSTRACT
Building on the work of her foremothers, Effie Lee Morris modeled professionalism and human-centered children’s librarianship in a practice concerned with accurate representation in books for children of all cultures and abilities. She put this practice to work at the Cleveland Public Library, the New York Public Library, and the San Francisco Public Library (SFPL), where she eventually resigned, calling the system racist. Her work in San Francisco is analyzed in staff meeting minutes and government documents using a Critical Race Theory lens to show how she pushed against white supremacist culture by advocating for children of color, while also encountering the emotional toll this type of work can cause. Reflecting on her time at SFPL, Morris gives advice for young librarians to practice self-care.
