A C Bilbrew Library
Library Hours
- Monday 10 am - 8 pm
- Tuesday 10 am - 8 pm
- Wednesday 10 am - 8 pm
- Thursday 10 am - 8 pm
- Friday 10 am - 6 pm
- Saturday 10 am - 6 pm
- Sunday Closed
Library Photos
Get to Know This Library
About A C Bilbrew Library
About A C Bilbrew Library
- Library Size: 21,843 sq ft
- Household Battery Recycling Site
- Space for Children
- Book Drop
- Space for Teens
- Meeting Rooms: Capacity 113
-
Study Rooms: Capacity 8/room
- Study Room A [8]
- Study Room B [8]
- Study Room Policies
- Request a Study Room
Our Collections
Our Collections
Online Collections — Available 24 hours
Kindle e-readers
- List of Genres available at this location
- Find other locations with Kindle e-eaders
Newspapers
- Los Angeles Times
- LA Watts Times
- Los Angeles Sentinel (2007-present)
- Los Angeles Sentinel (1934-2005)
- Our Weekly Los Angeles Wave
Our Services
Our Services
- Photocopier
- Microfilm Reader-Scanner-Printer
- In-person and telephone research assistance
- MetroTAP Cards
Children's Services
- Early Learning and Engagement
- Self-serve Homework Center
- Online Homework Help
Teen Services
- Online Homework Help
- Teen Advisory Board
Our Computers
Our Computers
- Public Computers: 17
- Children's Computers: 4
- Teen Computers: 3
- Laptop & Hotspot Kits: 8
- Express Computers: 8
- Homework Center Computers: 4
- Early Learning Computers: 2
Our Community
Friends of the Library
Friends of A C Bilbrew Library a volunteer-run organization that supports the library and library events
Friends of A C Bilbrew Library provides the following services to support the library.
- Friends of the Library Book Sale
Library History
Located in a shopping center from 1964 to 1974, the North Enterprise Branch became the A C Bilbrew Library with the opening of the present building on November 2, 1974. Los Angeles County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn was instrumental in the library obtaining funding through a Model Neighborhood Development Program to build a 21,000 square foot library with a capacity to house 100,000 books. The library was designed by Vincent Proby, an African-American architect and is named for Madame A C Bilbrew, a community leader and former deputy for Supervisor Hahn who was also a musician and poet.
In 1933, Mrs. Bilbrew was the first black soloist to appear on radio, and in 1928, she produced the first Negro chorus that was featured in Hollywood’s first Negro talkie, titled “Hearts in Dixie.” She was the first black person to have a radio show. Mrs. Bilbrew was also a producer of pageants and dramas, an outstanding dramatic reader, and choral director.
A C Bilbrew Library houses the Black Resource Center which supports research and study on social, historical, musical, and cultural aspects unique to the “Black Experience” such as Juneteenth and Kwanzaa. From 1980-2008, A C Bilbrew Library has hosted the County Library’s African American History Month Celebration. The “Living Black History Tribute” first honoree was Eubie Blake. This became the “African-American Living Legend” Series. Past Honorees have included Cab Calloway, Count Basie, Rosa Parks, James Baldwin, Coretta Scott King, and Ray Charles. An interactive Living Legends digital display is featured in the main lobby. The library is located in an unincorporated area west of the City of Compton.
Political Representatives
- U.S. Congressional District 43 — Maxine Waters
- CA State Assembly District 65 — Mike Anthony Gipson
- CA State Senate District 35 — Steven Bradford
- LA County Supervisory District 2 — Holly J. Mitchell
Local Links
- Los Angeles Southwest College: Information about local community college serving the area.
- The Watts Towers of Simon Rodia: Tours, history, location and general description of the Watts Towers.
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital : Provides quality healthcare services to the community of South Los Angeles.
- Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science: Includes admissions, financial aid, library, campus news and events, College of Allied Health and College of Medicine
Staff Picks (All Ages)
A monthly list of noteworthy titles selected by our Collection Development Services team.
Library Happenings December 2024
Check out what's happening at LA County Library this month. Read, celebrate, learn, enjoy!
LA County Library’s Naloxone Clinics Now Offering Free Fentanyl Test Strips to Combat Opioid Overdoses
LA County Library announces free Fentanyl test strips at Naloxone Clinics.
Library Happenings November 2024
Check out what's happening at LA County Library this month. Read, celebrate, learn, enjoy!
LA County Library Celebrates Native American Heritage Month with Immersive Storytelling, Workshops, and Author Talks in November
LA County Library announces Native American Heritage Month events and activities.