1927 - Miriam Matthews is the first Black credentialed librarian in California

Miriam Matthews became the first Black credentialed librarian in California, and the first Black Librarian hired by the Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL). She was dedicated to building a collection of resources that focused on Black history and was an advocate for “Negro History Week.” In 1949 she served as regional librarian at LAPL until her retirement in 1960.