Brooklyn Event To Honor Major Owens, 'The Librarian In Congress'

BROOKLYN, NY — A Brooklyn librarian who went on to represent the borough in Congress will be honored at an event this week.

The Center for Brooklyn History has set up a virtual conversation Tuesday with archivists, curators and the family of Major Robert Odell Owens, who was known as "The Librarian in Congress" during his 12 terms representing two Brooklyn districts.

Owens, who was also a state senator and civil rights activist, recently became the namesake of the Central Brooklyn Library's new Welcome Center, which opened last month under a $38-million renovation project.

Parts of a newly-acquired collection of Owens’ handwritten and typed speeches, campaign flyers, personal ephemera and never-before-seen photographs are on view at the library.

Here's what you need to know about Tuesday's event:

WHAT: Join Center for Brooklyn History archivists and curators in conversation with Owens family members, Chris, Millard, and Geoffrey as they discuss the Congressman's life and work.

Participants can also learn more about the newly acquired collection which includes Owens’ handwritten and typed speeches, campaign flyers, personal ephemera and never before seen photographs from his career starting as community information librarian at BPL—where a new welcome center bears his name at Central Library. Owens went on to serve twelve terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, working tirelessly as an antipoverty reformer and advocate for civil rights and education.

WHERE: Virtual program, register here for the link.

WHEN: Tuesday, June 29 beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Read more about Owens here.