Virgia Brocks-Shedd

Virgia Brocks-Shedd (June 22, 1943 – December 4, 1992) was an American librarian and poet. She was the head librarian at the Tougaloo College library and was a founding member of multiple library associations, working to ensure African-Americans were represented in libraries. Brocks-Shedd published poetry in multiple venues and inspired an appreciation for literature in generations of students.

Early life and education

Virgia Lee Brocks was born June 22, 1943, in Carpenter, Mississippi. When the Carpenter sawmill closed, her family moved to the community of Bel Pine. Brocks-Shedd earned her bachelor's degree from Jackson State in 1964, and went on to earn a Master of Library Science at Atlanta University the following year. She was also a charter member of the Black Caucus of the American Library Association. she was the first African-American to lead that board. Brocks-Shedd published many poems and articles in Jackson-based magazine Close-Up while serving as managing editor.