The Farmville Town Council, working with county and library leaders and officials, should consider renaming the Farmville-Prince Edward Community Library as the Barbara Rose Johns Community Library.

Such a place — where people, both young and old, no matter their economic or social circumstances in life, come to learn, access resources and enrich their lives — is very fitting to honor the work Johns’ did to better the nation through her leading the strike from the R.R. Moton High School in 1951.

During the Farmville Town Council meeting last Wednesday, Mayor David Whitus, acting on comments he and Town Manager Gerald Spates have received, formed a committee to bring a recommendation back to town council regarding honoring Johns.

A center for learning and expansion of thought — foundations the United States was built upon — is a very fitting place to bear the name of this civil rights leader.

Unknown to many, Johns herself was a librarian. She worked in Philadelphia Public Schools in libraries for 24 years before she died in 1991, dedicating a great part of her life to learning and helping others to gain sought-out knowledge.

Council members and county officials should allow this community to learn and become inspired in a library that bears the name of Johns.