AARLCC History Collection, 1995-Present
Collection context
Summary
- Creator:
- African American Research Library and Cultural Center
- Abstract:
- The AARLCC History Collection documents the history of the African American Research Library and Cultural Center (AARLCC) in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
- Extent:
- 8 Hollinger Boxes
- 2 Boxes (irregular size)
- Language:
- English
- Preferred citation:
AARLCC History Collection, African American Research Library and Cultural Center, Broward County Library.
Background
- Scope and content:
The AARLCC History Collection documents the history of the African American Research Library and Cultural Center (AARLCC) in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The materials contain information about the inception of the library branch in 1995, its subsequent design and construction, and fundraising efforts. It also contains information about the AARLCC's programming, exhibits, staff, and special events since the grand opening in 2002 to the present. The collection materials include brochures, events, newspaper clippings, correspondence, reports, printed materials, blueprints, photographs, born-digital materials, and audio-visual materials.
- Biographical / historical:
Inspired and spearheaded by Samuel Morrison, librarian and thirteen-year director of the Broward County Library system, the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center (AARLCC) opened on October 6, 2002. It replaced the Von D. Mizell Library in the historic Sistrunk neighborhood, Fort Lauderdale's historically Black neighborhood.
In late 1995 the Broward County Commission pledged funding to build AARLCC, beginning the library's design and construction planning. Over the next 7 years, community fundraising efforts matched and then surpassed the funding allocated by the county, surpassing millions of dollars. The architectural and design firm PAWA Complex International won the contract to design the structure. The building's interior design was completed by Cecil Hayes. Multiple public art projects also went into the original design of the building, including the Harambe Room by Gary Moore, "The Bridge" sculpture by George Gadson, and "The Adinkra Tribute" by C. J. Lattimore.
Opened as the third public library dedicated to Black research in the United States - along with the Schomburg Center for Research and Black Culture in New York and the Auburn Avenue Research Library in Atlanta - AARLCC distinguished itself by focusing on Caribbean and South American Black history in addition to African-American and African history. To achieve this mission, AARLCC houses the AARLCC Special Collections which continually works to archive and digitize collections for public access. Notable archival collections include the Alex Haley Collection, the Doroty Porter Wesley Collection, and the Niara Sudarkasa Collection.
In addition to the aforementioned missions, AARLCC serves as a public library branch for the local community, providing patrons with essential resources such as book lending, computer and internet access, reading rooms, and an assortment of programming. The library also has a museum gallery on the first floor featuring large-scale exhibits.
AARLCC's first executive director was Arglenda Friday, who resigned for unforseen personal circumstances in 2001. Easter Wilcher served as the interim director until the library found a replacement. Julie Hunter became the second director, serving from 2002 to 2006 and overseeing the library's grand opening and early programming. She was succeeded by Alicia Antone (2006-January 2008), Elaina Norlin (2009-2019), Makiba Foster (2019-2022), and Dr. Tameka Bradley (2022-present).
- Processing information:
This collection received file level processing and a finding aid was created by Adam Anderson in Feburary 2024. This finding aid may be updated to reflect new descriptions as well as acquisitions to the collection.
- Accruals:
Accruals to the AARLCC History Collection are expected.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Access and use
- Restrictions:
The AARLCC History Collection is open for research.
- Preferred citation:
AARLCC History Collection, African American Research Library and Cultural Center, Broward County Library.
- Location of this collection:
-
African American Research Library and Cultural Center, Broward County Library2650 Sistrunk BoulevardFort LauderdaleFL33311USA
