28 Days of Black Librarians

In 2026 ASALH, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History honors Black History Month with A Century of Black History Commemorations.

OPL’s Black Culture committee presents to you '28 days of librarians' – a history of those who have inspired us.

1. Augusta Baker, opens a new window (1911-1998) first Black woman to serve as New York Public Library’s Coordinator of Children’s Services          

   

2. Betty J. Blackman, opens a new window (1932-2022) first Black librarian to serve as Dean of Libraries in the entire California State University system          

   

3. Linda Brooks-Burton , opens a new window(1962-2013), San Francisco Bayview Community Librarian                  

   

4. Mayme A. Clayton, opens a new window (1923-2006) founder, president, and leader of the Western States Black Research and Education Center (WSBREC), the largest privately held collection of African-American historical materials in the world.                

   

5. Nella Larsen (1891-1964), a central figure of the Harlem Renaissance, she was an American novelist whose professional life was defined by her "triple career" as a nurse, librarian, and author.
   
6. Ann Allen Shockley, an academic librarian and Archivist at Fisk University. She was also a groundbreaking novelist whose work centered Black lesbian identity.
   
7. Shirley Coaston,, opens a new window retired Head Librarian, Laney College                 

   

8. Dr. Sadie Peterson Delaney, opens a new window (1889-1958) founder of the Disabled Veterans’ Literary Society,  increased literacy and introduced an therapeutic culture of reading.             

   

9. Eliza Atkins Gleason, opens a new window (1909-2009) the first African American to earn a doctorate in library science. There is an ALA book award named in her honor. , opens a new window              

   

10. Belle da Costa Greene, opens a new window (1883-1950) first librarian and director of Pierpont Morgan Library (now the Morgan Library & Museum)                

    

11. Dr. Carla Hayden, opens a new window,first African American to serve as the 14th Librarian of Congress.     

    

12. Eddie T. Jackson , opens a new window(1902-1979) first Black librarian in Orlando, Florida         

    

13. Dr. E.J. Josey , opens a new window(1924-2009) founded the Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA) in 1970, serving as its first chair             

    

14. Catherine Allen Latimer , opens a new window(1896-1948) New York Public Library's first African-American librarian         

    

15. Dorothy Lazard, opens a new window, author and retired Oakland History Center librarian          

    

16. Audre Lorde, opens a new window (1934-1992) was a librarian in New York City public schools from 1961-1968.                

    

17. Miriam Matthews (1905-2003), opens a new window,first African American librarian employed by the Los Angeles Public Library         

    

18. Effie Lee Morris, opens a new window (1921-2009) the first African-American president of the Public Library Association (1971) and the first committee chair of American Library Association’s (ALA) Coretta Scott King Award.                 

    

19. Satia Marshall Orange, opens a new window (1942-2024) former director of what is now ALA’s Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services (ODLOS)         

    

20. Dr. Skye Patrick, opens a new window, Los Angeles County Librarian and Director               

    

21. Dorothy B. Porter, opens a new window (1905-1995) sometimes known as Dorothy Porter Wesley, became the first African American to earn a master’s in library science from Columbia University and then went on to create one of the world’s leading repositories for Black history and culture Howard University’s Moorland-Spingarn Research Center., opens a new window
     
22. Charlemae Hill Rollins, opens a new window (1897- 1979) pioneering librarian, writer and storyteller in the area of African-American literature         

    

23. Joyce Madkins Sumbi, opens a new window (1935-2010) first African-American library administrator to serve as a Regional Administrator in the Los Angeles County Library System          

    

24. Mychal Threets,, opens a new window a former library kid now host of Reading Rainbow, opens a new window         

    

25. Eleanor Watkins, , opens a new windowOakland's first Black librarian                 

    

26. Kelvin Watson, Library Journal's 2026 Librarian of the Year, opens a new window                 

    

27. Binnie Tate Wilkin, opens a new window (1933-2025) storyteller and founding member the American Library Association’s (ALA) Black Caucus         

    

28. Edward C. Williams, opens a new window (1871–1929) the first African-American professionally trained librarian in the United States         

    

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Honorable Mentions

Levardis Robert Martyn Burton Jr., opens a new window is an Emmy, Grammy, and Peabody award-winning actor, director, and storyteller. Who hasn’t been inspired by Levar Burton? He’s not a librarian but how could we not include him. Make him an honorary children’s librarian!

Bradley C. Walters, opens a new window (1938-2009)

Not a librarian, but a library assistant and the community room in the Main Library, opens a new window is named after him.

In Case You Missed It: 13 Pioneering Black American Librarians You Oughta Know, opens a new window

Here are 13 pioneering Black American librarians, but this is only a fraction of the black librarians who have left a lasting legacy in librarianship.