Matthews speaks at the unveiling of the Golden State Mutual murals titled "The Negro in California History." Courtesy of UCLA Library Special Collections

Miriam Matthews (1905–2003) was an American librarian, historian, intellectual freedom advocate and art collector. Upon her hiring by the Los Angeles Public Library in 1927, Matthews became the first credentialed African American librarian in the state of California.

The Miriam Matthews Archive is a digital resource that aims to honor Matthews’ life and legacy, encourage public engagement with her work, and inspire future generations of librarians, historians, archivists and artists.