With a lively community event on Dec.11, the Hyde Park Miriam Matthews Branch Library located at 2205 West Florence Avenue proudly celebrated its 20th anniversary.
The celebration featured remarks from local government representatives, including James Ingram, director of Constituent Services for Council District 8, and showcased cultural contributions from local poets like Peter Woods.
It paid tribute to Miriam Matthews, the Los Angeles Public Library system’s first Black librarian, honoring her enduring legacy and the library’s essential role in the community.
Situated in Hyde Park, one of Los Angeles’ oldest neighborhoods and home to Crenshaw Boulevard, celebrated as “the heart of African American commerce,” the library stands as a hub for learning and enrichment. Distinguished by its striking tiled mural at the entrance—crafted by local artist Robin Strayhorn with contributions from 74th Street Elementary School students—the branch embodies the rich history and spirit of the community.
The day was designed to celebrate the library’s impact and significance.
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“Our library plays a big part in our community,” said Bri Weber, the branch’s young adult librarian.
“This is a place where kids and teens come to use our services and participate in programs,” she added, emphasizing the library’s importance as a trusted space for growth and engagement.
Activities filled the day, including a self-portrait program for children. Antonio Walker, the children’s librarian, provided art supplies and frames, encouraging kids to “create their own little personal history and art piece.”
He noted, “This activity is in line with the kinds of things Miriam Matthews was interested in doing.”
Yago Cura, the Adult Librarian, emphasized the importance of fostering literacy among children, especially during a time when bookstores are dwindling and access to books is increasingly limited.
“If we want our kids to become readers and there’s no bookstores… it’s kind of hard,” he explained. To address this challenge, the library cleans donated books and gives them for free to all children who visit the branch.
“So very directly,” Yago continues, “The significance culturally of this branch is that we are really trying to make a dent in that literacy challenge that our country is facing.”
The 10,500-square-foot angular Hyde Park Miriam Matthews Branch Library is a tribute to the community it serves. Reflecting on its impact, Branch Manager Justin Sugiyama emphasized its vital role.
“We love that we are able to be a real community center — a place for folks to find connection, a place of learning, discovery, and sanctuary,” Sugiyama said.
