The water fountains in the HUB-Robeson Center might be separated for different races today if the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision of 1954 had not ruled that segregated public schools were not equal and therefore were unconstitutional.

To commemorate the ruling, the Pattee Library is featuring an exhibit called Brown v. Board of Education, 50 years. It will be on display in the Diversity Studies Room, 109 Pattee, until March 1.

The exhibit is a collection of materials that explore the period. The library hopes to enlighten students about the process of desegregation, said Catherine Grigor, manager of public relations for the library.

"The goal is always to educate people as to what the issues are," Grigor said.

Grigor emphasized that "the library is in a wonderful position to teach" students many issues, including "how terrible institutional injustice is."

Courtney Young, the social sciences librarian in charge of the exhibit, said its goal is to help students gain a different perspective about desegregation.

"Fifty years isn't a very long time," Young said. "It's something I think we take for granted."

Young also said it's important to overcome geographic differences in perspective.

"It's perceived as a southern thing, but it continues to have great national impact," she said.

Young said she wants students to "realize that their education is greatly impacted" by the decision that happened 50 short years ago. "The decision is of major importance in the 20th century and has continued importance in the 21st century," Young said.

Takkeem Morgan, Undergraduate Student Government (USG) vice president, said that the display coincides with the events USG has planned to celebrate both Martin Luther King Jr. Day and social change week, which is taking place for the first time next week.

All the events, including the library exhibit, are beneficial because they place "public education where it's getting attention," Morgan said.

The exhibit is timed in conjunction with Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Black History Month since there will be few people on campus to enjoy it on May 17, the 50th anniversary of the ruling.

Morgan said it is important to remember the significance of decisions such as Brown v. Board of Education and general public education issues instead of letting them "wither to the wayside."