Miriam Matthews and the Los Angeles Public Library

Miriam Matthews (1905-2003), a native of Pensacola, Florida, was the first African American librarian to work for the Los Angeles Public Library. She once served as the branch librarian for the Helen Hunt Jackson Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library (the branch was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987). Ms. Matthews received her Certificate of Librarianship from the University of California in 1927. She worked at the Los Angeles Public Library from 1927 until her retirement in 1960. Ms. Matthews passed away in 2003 at the age of 97. 

See related post: The Mayme A. Clayton Library Museum and Cultural Center (MCL).

Sources: Jordan, Casper Leroy, and Josey, E.J. "A Chronology of Events in Black Librarianship." Handbook of Black Librarianship. Ed. E.J. Josey and Marva L. DeLoach. 2nd ed. Lanham: Scarecrow, 2000. 6. Print. ; Wilkin, Binnie Tate. "Tribute to Miriam Matthews: First Trained African American Librarian in California." African American Librarians in the Far West: Pioneers and Trailblazers. Ed. Binnie Tate Wilkin. Lanham: Scarecrow, 2006. 1-7. Print. ; Oliver, Myrna. "Miriam Matthews, 97; Pioneering L.A. Librarian Was Expert in Black History." Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2003. Web. 4 Dec. 2010. ; Kindig, Jessie. "Miriam Matthews." BlackPast.Org. Black Past, n.d. Web. 4 Dec. 2010. ; A Directory of Negro Graduates of Accredited Library Schools, 1900-1936. Washington: Columbia Civic Library Association, 1937. 17. Print. ; "Miriam Mathews [i.e., Matthews], Colored Library Head, on Air." Indianapolis Recorder 6 Apr. 1930: 3. Print.