The Wichita City Council approved a name for the new library branch at 4195 East Harry in the southeast part of town.
Former Mayor Carl Brewer, who led the council in approving the Advanced Learning Library, got nearly twice the votes by the public. However, the Library Board of Directors recommended naming it after Dr. Ronald Walters, an author and scholar of African American politics. Dr. Walters was born in Wichita and organized the Dockum Drug Store sit-in back in 1958.
Dr. Walters' widow Patricia spoke to the council via Zoom and said the family would be honored to have the facility named after him.
The council voted 5-1 to name the facility "The Dr. Ronald W. Walters Branch Library." The lone no vote came from Council member Jeff Blubaugh as he wanted to name it after former Mayor Brewer.
The city says the new branch will open early this year.