Butler, Susan Dart | South Carolina Public Radio

"B" is for Butler, Susan Dart (1888-1959). Librarian. Butler attended Avery Institute in Charleston, Atlanta University in Georgia, and McDowell Millinery School in Boston. For five years, she pursued a career as a hat-maker. In 1927, Butler opened a free library and reading room in Dart Hall, a building belonging to her father. Using his books, folding chairs, and two tables, Butler opened the reading room three afternoons a week. She acted as librarian and operated the facility with donations and often her own funds. In 1931, the Charleston Free Library established the Dart Hall Branch. The branch was staffed by three librarians and opened to the African American public with 3,600 books. A year later ,Butler became head librarian. Susan Dart Butler retired in 1957 after twenty-six years as a branch librarian.