All LA County Library locations will be closed on Monday, March 25 in honor of César Chávez Day. Our digital library is open 24/7.
  • CONTACT US |
    ×

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

Holiday Closures

Get to Know This Library

About A C Bilbrew Library

About A C Bilbrew Library

Our Collections

Our Services

Our Services

  • Photocopier
  • Microfilm Reader-Scanner-Printer
  • In-person and telephone research assistance
  • MetroTAP Cards

Children's Services

Teen Services

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

Local Links

Staff Picks (All Ages)

A monthly list of noteworthy titles selected by our Collection Development Services team.

See More Booklists

Library happenings march 2024

Library Happenings Mar 2024

Check out what's happening at LA County Library this month. Read, celebrate, learn, enjoy!

Read More

Lynwood renovation example

Major $8 Million Renovation to Begin for Lynwood Library

Major $8 Million Renovation to Begin for Lynwood Library. Lynwood is first of several Southeast LA libraries that Hahn’s office will help renovate.

Read More

Library Happenings Feb 2024

Library Happenings Feb 2024

Check out what's happening at LA County Library this month. Read, celebrate, learn, enjoy!

Read More

Library Happenings Jan 2024

Library Happenings Jan 2024

Check out what's happening at LA County Library this month. Read, celebrate, learn, enjoy!

Read More

Skip to content