Resource Lists

While the California Librarians Black Caucus (CLBC) does not have Book or Media Awards program, our Affiliate organization, the Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA) and their partners are actively involved in the selection of books and other media by and about the cultural, historical or sociopolitical aspects of the Black Diaspora.  Individual CLBC members may serve on the selection committees.  We have provided information and links to selected library awards programs that meet this criteria.

Coretta Scott King Book Award
The Coretta Scott King Book Awards are given annually to outstanding African American authors and illustrators of books for children and young adults that demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values. The award commemorates the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and honor his wife, Mrs. Coretta Scott King, for her courage and determination to continue the work for peace and world brotherhood. The complete list of Coretta Scott King Book Award recipients.

The John Steptoe Award for New Talent is occasionally given for young authors or illustrators who demonstrate outstanding promise at the beginning of their careers. 

The Coretta Scott King - Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement is presented to an African American author, illustrator or author/illustrator for a body of his or her published books for children and/or young adults, and who has made a significant and lasting literary contribution.

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BCALA Literary Awards - The BCALA Literary Awards acknowledge outstanding works of fiction and nonfiction for adult audiences by African American authors. Recipients of these awards offer outstanding depictions of the cultural, historical or sociopolitical aspects of the Black Diaspora and embody the highest quality of writing style and research methodology, if applicable.

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Children and Young Adult Literary Awards - The Black Caucus of the American Library Association, Inc. (BCALA) and School Library Journal (SLJ) proudly announce the winners of the Children & Young Adult Literary Awards. These awards honor outstanding books that celebrate the diversity of the Black experience, offering young readers essential windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors to see themselves and their communities reflected in literature.

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Carter G. Woodson Book Award - The National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) established the Carter G. Woodson Book Awards for the most distinguished books appropriate for young readers that depict ethnicity in the United States. First presented in 1974, this award is intended to “encourage the writing, publishing, and dissemination of outstanding social studies books for young readers that treat topics related to ethnic minorities and race relations sensitively and accurately.” Books relating to ethnic minorities and the authors of such books rarely receive the recognition they merit from professional organizations. By sponsoring the Carter G. Woodson Awards, NCSS gives wide recognition to and encourages these authors and publishers. 

In addition to award winning titles, CLBC continues to identify and compile booklists of books by and/or about the African American Diaspora.  Following is information and links to a few list booklists.  This is not meant to be a comprehensive list but please let us know of others, so we can add.

Detroit Public Library - African American Booklists
The Detroit Public Library has published its African American Booklist for more than 50 years. This bibliography provides a selected list of books by and/or about African Americans. The works of fiction and nonfiction for adults, children and young adults were reviewed and recommended by librarians of the Detroit Public Library.

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Association for the Study of African American Life and History - The Members Bookshelf
The Members Bookshelf is where ASALH members can have their books posted for others to learn about with links to purchase them. 

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The Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA) - Booklists.

National Conference of African American Librarians (NCAAL)
The NCAAL is committed to advancing knowledge, fostering collaboration, and empowering African-American librarianship.

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Joint Conference of Librarians of Color (JCLC)
JCLC is co-sponsored, planned, organized, promoted and presented by the five National Associations of Librarians of Color (NALCo).

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National Black Writers Conference
A biennial symposium dedicated to an exploration of "emerging themes, trends and issues in black literature." The event is hosted by The Center for Black Literature at Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York. 

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Black Writers on Tour
Black Writers On Tour is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to increasing literacy, writing proficiency, and technology fluency within communities across the nation. Since 1997, we have been empowering authors, entrepreneurs, and innovators through our annual conference, which has become a premier platform for celebrating Black excellence in literature, business, and technological innovation.

Interested in working in a Library?  There are a number of ways to obtain the education and or training needed to work in a library.  Following is a list of California based institutions that offer undergraduate and graduate degrees in Library and Information Science (Studies) and certificates in Library Technology. 

• San Jose State University School of Information -- Master of Library and Information Science

• UCLA School of Education & Information Studies --Master of Library & Information Science

• USC Bovard College -- Master of Management in Library and Information Science

• Teacher Librarian Credential Programs

• Library Technology and Library and Information Technology

  • This program prepares students to work as an aide, technician or assistant in libraries or information management fields. If you want to earn an Associate degree (AA) in Library Technology and or Library and Information Technology, click the link to view participating community college. 

• California Library Science Degrees

African American Librarians - California Library Association Interest Group
Supports efforts to eradicate inequities that affect minorities, functions as an ombudsman for African American librarians, promotes library and information services to African Americans, evaluates the quality of published materials concerning African Americans.

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Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH)
Established on September 9, 1915, by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, we are the Founders of Black History Month and carry forth the work of our founder, the Father of Black History. We continue his legacy of speaking a fundamental truth to the world–that Africans and peoples of African descent are makers of history and co-workers in what W. E. B. Du Bois called, “The Kingdom of Culture.” ASALH’s mission is to create and disseminate knowledge about Black History, to be, in short, the nexus between the Ivory Tower and the global public. We labor in the service of Blacks and all humanity. 

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Association of College & Research Libraries - African-American Studies Librarians Interest Group (ACRL)
Provides the resources — ideas, programs, discussion forums and networking opportunities — to support the development of African American Studies librarianship and resources in academic and research libraries.

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Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA)
Established in 1970, BCALA was formed to serve as an advocate for the development, promotion, and improvement of library services and resources to the nation’s African American community; and to provide leadership  for the recruitment and professional development of African American librarians.

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Joint Council of Librarians of Color (JCLC, Inc.)
The Joint Council of Librarians of Color (JCLC, Inc.) formed in June, 2015 as a nonprofit organization that advocates for and addresses the common needs of the American Library Association ethnic affiliates.

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REFORMA
Established in 1971 as an affiliate of the American Library Association (ALA), REFORMA has actively sought to promote the development of library collections to include Spanish-language and Latino oriented materials; the recruitment of more bilingual and bicultural library professionals and support staff; the development of library services and programs that meet the needs of the Latino community; the establishment of a national information and support network among individuals who share our goals; the education of the U.S. Latino population in regards to the availability and types of library services; and lobbying efforts to preserve existing library resource centers serving the interests of Latinos.

California African American Museum (CAAM)
The California African American Museum's mission is to research, collect, preserve, and interpret for public enrichment the history, art, and culture of African Americans with an emphasis on California and the western United States. Founded in 1977, CAAM has a long and rich history. The first African American museum of art, history, and culture fully supported by a state, CAAM was the direct result of a sustained, multiyear campaign of activism undertaken by visionary founders and community members. Its creation was an early and tangible recognition by the State of California of the critically important role African Americans have played in the American West’s cultural, economic, and political development. 

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Los Angeles County Library - Black Resource Center
The Black Resource Center (BRC) was established as a special service of LA County Library in 1978 to serve the informational and educational needs of African Americans and the larger population by supporting research and study on social, historical and cultural aspects unique to the African American experience. The Center serves as an information and referral agency to other libraries, government agencies and the general public. 

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Our Authors Study Club (OASC)
Established in 1945, Our Authors Study Club of Los Angeles, Inc. is dedicated to celebrating and studying African American authors and their contributions to literature and culture. This study club was founded to address the lack of representation and focus on Black content in mainstream educational and literary circles.

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Oakland Public Library, African American Museum and Library at Oakland (AAMLO)

The African American Museum and Library at Oakland is dedicated to the discovery, preservation, interpretation, and sharing of historical and cultural experiences of African Americans in California and the West for present and future generations.

The reference library supports the archives and museum. Materials may only be used in the library.

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African American Center, San Francisco Public Library
The African American Center is on the third floor of the Main San Francisco Public Library and welcomes students, researchers and anyone interested in learning more about the historical, political and cultural experiences of African Americans in California and beyond. In addition to housing a collection of circulating and reference materials that span a range of subject areas, the Center also partners with other library departments and community organizations to sponsor exhibits and programs that are free to the public 

• Black Caucus of the American Library Association

• California Library Association Interest Group - African American Librarians
  CLA membership allows access to the group and to the group's listeserv.

• San Jose State University (SJSU) - School of Information