Lois A. Sayles

Born in Tyler Texas she graduated cum laude from Texas College and received an MA degree in librarianship from the University of Denver in 1952. In 1954, after a trip to Oregon, she took a job with Multnomah County Library, becoming the first African-American children's librarian in the city. She worked for three summers (1954, 1955, 1956) at the Oregon State Library, the first African American librarian to work at the Oregon State Library. From 1956 to 1963 she worked as head librarian in Vancouver public schools, becoming the first African American school librarian in that city. And in 1963, she came to Roosevelt High School, once again being the first African-American librarian in the Portland Public Schools. Under her leadership, Roosevelt High School's instructional materials center became an exemplary state-of-the-art library services program, receiving national recognition. Appointed by Gov. Mark Hatfield, she was the first African-American librarian to serve on the Oregon State Library Board. In addition to belonging to many national professional associations, Ms. Sayles also served in leadership positions in local organizations such as the American Association of University Women, Portland Chapter of Links, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta sorority and Delta Kappa Gamma.