New York Black Librarians Caucus records

1971-1981

As an affiliate of the Black Caucus of the American Library Association, Inc. (BCALA), the New York Black Librarians Caucus, Inc. (NYBLC, Inc.) is committed to the professional development, growth of and opportunities for library professionals; to scholarship, mentoring and support of graduate library students; to bridging the digital divide; and to advocate for quality standards and services in school libraries, in special libraries, on college and university campuses and in public libraries serving Black communities.

In 1970, a group of Black Librarians met to address the problems resulting from widespread racism in their profession. Libraries in Black communities were most often inaccessible, had neglected facilities, and inadequate staffing and resources. It was increasingly evident that minority communities were being left behind in terms of access to the avalanche of information so indispensable in a rapidly changing technological society. The members of the group that met over 40 years ago decided to take collective action. They founded an organization and named it the Black Librarians' Caucus of Queens since most of its members lived or worked in that borough. The problems that this group rallied around were so persuasive that librarians from the greater New York area soon joined the founding members. In 1975, the organization's name was changed to the New York Black Librarian's Caucus Inc.

Today, the Caucus is still a thriving, vital organization that strongly advocates for quality library services in all communities, broad professional opportunities for Black Librarians, bridging the Digital Divide and other important issues. Through the annual Donna Hoke Scholarship award, the Caucus assists at least two Black graduate students in pursuit of master's degrees in library and information science.