Los Angeles City Librarian John Szabo welcomed the community to the Baldwin Hills Branch Library to celebrate the new home of the Dorothy Vena Johnson Black History Collection. Originally started by Miriam Matthews—the first African American librarian hired by the LA Public Library in 1927—the collection includes historical works, biographies, scholarly texts, and music scores that highlight Black history and culture.

Now housed in Baldwin Hills, the collection is more accessible to a community rich in diversity, allowing residents to explore these works close to home without traveling to the Central Library. This powerful collection continues to inspire, educate, and honor the lasting contributions of Black writers.

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