History of the
California Librarians Black Caucus
The Concept: From Several Paths, One Need Emerges
Two events provided the impetus for the development of an action-oriented
statewide organization to serve as a professional agency for African American
librarians.
In 1970, James E. Crayton began his research on discrimination
practices operating within the Los Angeles County Public Library System. By
January 1971, armed with his findings and the identification of discrimination
against minority librarians, he and two other County librarians -- Louise
J. Moses and Joyce Sumbi -- took steps to file a class action suit
with the State's Fair Employment Practices Commission.
In 1971, the terms of three African American Librarians -- Effie Lee
Morris (San Francisco Public Library), Kathryn P. Carr, and Hermia
M. Justice (both Los Angeles Public Library) – on the California Library
Association (CLA) Council were ending. Two resolutions were brought before the
CLA Council by Council member, Elizabeth Martinez-Smith (Los Angeles County
Public Library). The resolutions passed with strong support gathered by the
three African American Council members. The two resolutions were:
- To support the Black librarians' Fair Employment Practices Commission (FEPC)
class action suit against Los Angeles County Public Library.
- To assure that there will be a definite percentage of minority
representation on the CLA Council.
The Formation: One Mission
Following these events, Ms. Carr, Mrs. Justice, Ms. Morris and Barbara
Coleman (Hamilton Air Force Base Library) began discussions which led to
the subsequent organization of the California Librarians Black Caucus.
Following the filing of their class action suit, Mr. Crayton, Ms. Moses,
and Ms. Sumbi were in constant communication with the officers of the Black
Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA). The group was referred to
Ms. Carr and Ms. Morris, a founding member of BCALA, who were in the process
of forming a Black Caucus of California Librarians.
The First Meeting
On March 18 and April 22, 1972, Ms. Carr, Mrs. Justice, and Mr. Crayton
(who represented Ms. Moses and Ms. Sumbi) -- from the Southern California area
-- and Ms. Morris, Ms. Coleman, and Lucy Wilson (Laney Community
College Library) -- from the Northern California area -- met in the home of
Ms. Morris to outline goals and objectives for a statewide Black Caucus. It
was determined that simultaneous meetings would be held in the North and
South, inviting Black librarians from all types of libraries to attend. Ms.
Carr was appointed Acting Coordinator, Southern Area. Ms. Coleman was
appointed Acting Coordinator, Northern Area. The meetings were scheduled for
Sunday, May 21, 1972 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Laney Community College Library
in Oakland and at Sojourner Truth Home in Los Angeles.
At the May 21st meeting, it was evident that forming CLBC was essential.
Ms. Carr and Rubye Ballard were elected Coordinator and Assistant
Coordinator, Southern Area. Ms. Coleman and Ms. Wilson were elected
Coordinator and Assistant Coordinator, Northern Area.
The first meeting of Black librarians, North and South, was scheduled for
November 30, 1972, to follow the first general session of the CLA Conference
in Anaheim at the Disneyland Hotel. This was the first statewide organizing
meeting to further develop and implement goals that had begun on March 18,
1972. After continued meetings in each area and statewide communications,
by-laws were adopted in 1974. CLBC became an official statewide organization.
The Ongoing Commitment
Through the years, the organization strives to adhere to its basic goals:
to make the library profession aware of the interests of Black librarians, and
to eradicate inequities that affect minorities in the profession and,
consequently, in the community. It has done this through nominating and
supporting Black librarians' election to CLA Council and offices; monitoring
legislative activities effecting service to and from Black librarians;
presenting scholarships to potential Black librarians; promoting Black
literature through Authors Autograph Parties; and, participating on library
oriented committees at statewide and national levels. The twenty-five years
have been well-spent, but continued vigilance is necessary.
Compiled by Effie Lee Morris, Kathryn P.
Carr, Hermia M. Justice, and Joyce Sumbi. Prepared by Eric Brasley.
Originally published in the Program Booklet for the California Librarians
Black Caucus 25th Anniversary Celebration.
Return to Top of Page
For a chronological overview of the milestones of our
organization, view the 25th Anniversary Program,
Milestones from Our Twenty-Five Years.
For a list of our former chapter presidents and coordinators,
view the List of Former Chapter Presidents /
Coordinators.
