Black Resource Center, LA County Library

The Black Resource Center (BRC) was founded in 1978 as a special service of the County of Los Angeles Public Library to meet the informational, cultural, and educational needs of African Americans in Los Angeles County, by supporting research and study on social, historical and cultural aspects unique to the African Americans experience. The Center serves as an information and referral agency to other libraries, government agencies and the general public. It is an important link in the survival and preservation of the heritage of African Americans. The collection consists of books, periodicals, pamphlets, microform, videos/DVDs, audio-recordings, posters, and 16mm films. Preservation is a major concern of the Center. The collection includes microfilm of Black newspapers from 1899, and issues of the Los Angeles Sentinel from its inception in 1934 to the present. A core collection of books by and about black music and musicians was initiated in 1982, and is continuously maintained as new books become available. The Center provides reference assistance, subject bibliographies, and referral information regarding community resources and public agencies. The Center also presents programs with local authors and entertainers. The Center participates in local community activities such as job fairs, career days, and health fairs. The materials collection and other activities of the Resource Center are supported by funds from the County of Los Angeles Public Library and donations from private donors.