PINELLAS COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- The first African American librarian in Clearwater is writing her memoirs.

Christine Wigfall Morris, known as Mrs. Chris, started working as a librarian in 1949.

She had never stepped foot in one of the city's libraries before accepting the position.

"It was a bad segregated area cause very few people went to the library," said Morris, now 88 years old. "If they went to the main library, it was to return books from people they had worked for or from hotels."

She worked at what was called the "Negro library," where she even taught her white co-workers a lesson.

"The employees never touched a black hand or touched black hair," Morris said. "Because, I can remember very vividly one of the ladies said, 'Is it alright if I touch your hair?'"

She says she'll never forget another vivid moment in the 1960s.
"A little white girl walked in the library and she said to me, she says, 'Is this the library for me too?,'" Morris said. "I said, 'Yes, it's for all races.' I said, 'Come and join us.'"

Throughout the years, Morris kept the newspaper clips and photos documenting it all. Now, writer Barbara Sorey is helping her tell her story.

"She and I started writing her memoir in March of 2008, and I'd come over and we'd sit together maybe an hour or two hours," Sorey said.

Morris' historical story is expected to be published this summer.

"It will make me feel great when that book goes on the shelf and it says Christine Wigfall Morris," she said.

After retiring in 1982, Morris continued to volunteer at the library for several years afterward. She still enjoys checking out books.