Ever wonder how a library can embody the spirit of a trailblazer? I’m excited to tell you the story of the Hyde Park Miriam Matthews Branch Los Angeles Public Library. This isn’t just a place for books. It is a tribute to a remarkable woman.
Miriam Matthews was a true pioneer. She broke barriers as the first African American librarian in the Los Angeles Public Library system. For two decades she was the only one. Her legacy lives on in this very branch. It was renamed in her honor in 2004.
Miriam’s story began in Florida in 1905. Her parents sought to escape the South’s segregation. They moved to Los Angeles to provide better opportunities for their children. Education was a priority. Miriam attended Los Angeles High School.
Initially, Miriam Matthews didn’t dream of being a librarian. She considered it after a friend mentioned it. She completed a librarianship program at Berkeley in 1927. Miriam returned to Los Angeles ready to begin her career.
Securing her position wasn’t easy. She faced misinformation about the Civil Service exam. Miriam Matthews persevered and passed. She was hired by the Los Angeles Public Library. Her first post was at the Robert Louis Stevenson Branch. She quickly became popular with patrons.
In 1929, Miriam Matthews became the librarian in charge at the Helen Hunt Jackson Branch. She started a book club and reviewed books on the radio. The branch’s circulation soared under her leadership. It was there that she discovered a small collection of books by and about African Americans. This ignited her passion for collecting and preserving Black history.
Miriam was an advocate for intellectual freedom. She fought against censorship. Matthews believed in the right to read everything. She felt people should make their own informed decisions.
After ten years as a branch librarian, she pursued a master’s degree in library science. She wanted to advance her career. She returned to the library and became the Regional Librarian for the South Central Region in 1949. This made her supervisor of twelve branch libraries. Despite facing discrimination she excelled. Her qualifications spoke for themselves.
Miriam Matthews retired in 1960 after decades of service. She continued to contribute to her community. She served on various boards and committees. She helped establish a permanent archive for the City of Los Angeles.
She championed the recognition of the city’s multi-ethnic founders. She ensured the inclusion of their races on a monument. Over half were of African descent.
Miriam Matthews also built an impressive art collection. It focused on African American artists. Her collection was displayed in museums.
Miriam Matthews passed away in 2003 at the age of 97. Her impact remains strong. She broadened library collections. She made them more inclusive and reflective of the city’s diverse history. Known as the “Dean of Los Angeles Black History”. Her extensive collection is now at UCLA Library’s Special Collections. In 2012, Miriam Matthews was inducted into the California Library Hall of Fame.
So as you leave the Hyde Park Miriam Matthews Branch Los Angeles Public Library. Remember Miriam Matthews. She was a librarian, historian, and champion of intellectual freedom. She reminds us of the power of libraries. She also reminds us of the importance of representation. She left a lasting mark on Los Angeles and beyond.