How a Brooklyn Librarian Became the Only Member of Congress Known by His Profession
In short: Major Owens was not just a politician; he was a revolutionary librarian who brought books to laundromats and bars. Later, as the only librarian to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives, he used his unique perspective to champion the Americans with Disabilities Act and reshape national education policy.
Born in 1936 in Tennessee, Major Owens transitioned from a career in library science to a life of public service. After moving to Brooklyn, he spent the late 1950s and 1960s working at the Brooklyn Public Library. He was a pioneer of community outreach, famously placing library collections in unconventional public spaces like laundromats and bars to ensure information reached everyone. In 1969, he helped form the New York Social Responsibilities Round Table, an organization dedicated to centering libraries in the broader struggle for civil rights and social justice.
Owens entered politics in 1968 as a commissioner for New York City's Community Development Agency before serving in the New York State Senate from 1975 to 1982. Upon his election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1982, he earned the moniker The Librarian In Congress. Throughout his tenure, which lasted until 2007, he remained a fierce advocate for library funding and education. He played a critical role in the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, serving as the floor manager and working closely with activist Justin Whitlock Dart to navigate the heated legislative debates of the era.
After retiring from Congress in 2007, Owens transitioned into an academic role as a visiting scholar at the John W. Kluge Center. There, he focused his research on the political influence of the Congressional Black Caucus, eventually publishing his findings in 2011. His life, which ended in 2013, bridged the gap between the quiet, essential work of information access and the loud, often contentious arena of national politics. He left behind a legacy that proved how the skills of a librarian—organization, accessibility, and a commitment to public knowledge—could be powerful tools for legislative change.
Owens was a complex figure who balanced his progressive politics with a deep commitment to his diverse Brooklyn district. Whether he was voting against electoral counts in 2004 or receiving top marks on middle-class advocacy scorecards, he remained a distinct voice in the House. His transition from a community information librarian to a senior fellow at the DuBois-Bunche Center for Public Policy reflects a lifelong dedication to the intersection of education, civil rights, and governance.
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