Alice Tang
Community Library Manager
150 E. El Segundo Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90061-2356
Phone: (310) 538-3350
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Events Calendar:
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History
Located in a shopping center from 1964 to 1974, the North Enterprise
Branch became the A C Bilbrew Library with the opening of the present
building on November 2, 1974. Los Angeles County Supervisor Kenneth
Hahn was instrumental in the library obtaining funding through a Model
Neighborhood Development Program to build a 21,000 square foot library
with a capacity to house 100,000 books. The library was designed by
Vincent Proby, an African-American architect and is named for Madame A
C Bilbrew, a community leader and former deputy for Supervisor Hahn who
was also a musician and poet. In 1933, Mrs. Bilbrew was the first black
soloist to appear on radio, and in 1928, she produced the first Negro
chorus that was featured in Hollywood's first Negro talkie, titled
"Hearts in Dixie". She was the first black to have a radio show. Mrs.
Bilbrew was also a producer of pageants and dramas, an outstanding
dramatic reader, and choral director. The A C Bilbrew library houses
the Black Resource Center
which supports research and study on social, historical, musical, and
cultural aspects unique to the "Black Experience" such as
Juneteenth
and Kwanzaa.
Since 1980, the A C Bilbrew library has hosted the County Library's
African American History Month Celebration. The "Living Black History
Tribute" first honoree was Eubie Blake. This became the
"African-American Living Legend" Series. Past Honorees have included:
Cab Calloway, Count Basie, Rosa Parks, James Baldwin, Coretta Scott
King, and Ray Charles. The library is located in an unincorporated area
west of the City of Compton.
Collection
The current book collection totals 90,417 volumes, 100 magazine and
newspaper subscriptions, 9,604 audio-visual items (audiocassettes, CDS,
records & videos); and other special materials such as
pamphlets, college catalogs, telephone directories, and microforms.
This includes the
Black Resource Center
collection which has books, microforms, newspapers and magazines and
reference files.
Services
Services available to library users are Reference Services; public
access Internet; two public access IBM compatible computers;
children's programs,
Homework Center;
coin-operated typewriter, black & white and color copiers;
conference room; public meeting room (available on a rental basis); and
Friends of the Library
Video Rental Collection.
Facilities
The library, with an area of 21,000 square feet, is wheelchair
accessible and features the following major areas: an adult reading
area; enclosed adult quiet study room; a separate area for the
Black Resource Center
Collection; children's area; children's activity room with a landscaped
outdoor patio; a meeting room with a capacity for 168. The foyer features a
special stained glass abstract design. The wood sculptures on display
are by Emile Jordan.
Political
Representatives
Local Links
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California State University Dominguez Hills
URL: http://www.csudh.edu/
This site offers class schedules, admission information, distance learning and other useful information about the California University System.
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Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
URL: http://www.cdrewu.edu/
Includes admissions, financial aid, library, campus news and events, College of Allied Health and College of Medicine
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Los Angeles Southwest College
URL: http://www.lasc.cc.ca.us/
Information about local community college serving the area.
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Martin Luther King/Charles R. Drew Medical Center
URL: http://www.ladhs.org/mlk/
History, executive and medical staff, and links to Los Angeles Department of Health Services. Also, includes list of local health clinics.
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The Watts Towers of Simon Rodia
URL: http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=613
Tours, history, location and general description of the Watts Towers.
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