SR_DPI_DNE_Special_Subject_File_B1F15_Equalization_Education_Opportunities_019

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to secure good books for their libraries - both elementary and high school. 1,086
libraries in schools have received aid. The total cost of the books has been $41,367.
Of this sum the Julius Rosenwald Fund has contributed $13,789.

In the very nature of the projects every Rosenwald school was a cooperative enterprise.
It was significant that within a decade it was possible to build 813 school
houses (houses and shops) in a single state, all built of good material; many of them
of permanent construction. Each furnished with serviceable school equipment, comfortable, and convenient for satisfactory use. It was perhaps more significant that
each school built involved interracial cooperation. When the Negro people in Magnolia
community began to discuss thier need for a new school building, the discussed it
among themselves, perhaps in their local churches, and lodge rooms. Then they went
to see their county superintendent of schools. He took them to the Board of Education
where it was further considered. Next, perhaps the superintendent requested someone
from the Division of Negro Education to visit his county and talk over plans for the
new school. This representative could tell them about plans, coasts, possibly aid
from the Rosenwald Fund, a loan from the state if that was needed. Soon the details
would progress far enough to request the County Commissioners, the tax levying body,
to provide funds needed. When that was done, the Division of Negro Education would
request the Rosenwald Fund to aid. In some cases requests went also to the General
Education Board or to the Slater Fund for certain types of equipment and there were
hundreds of visits to local communities made by representatives of all these various
organizations.

When there was general agreement among all these individuals and groups, a
contract was let and construction of a building proceeed. This, or a similar procedure
was followed through in connection with each of the 813 schools under discussion.
Not mentioned above in the list of personnel interested in each school were
hundreds of white people, not officials, representing almost every class or rank of
white people in North Carolina. It would be impossible to estimate even the total