The African American Museum and Library at Oakland is a downtown Oakland institution devoted to preserving and sharing African American history and culture in California and the West. You can visit its library and explore archival and online resources, with advance contact recommended for archival research.
- Location: 659 14th Street, Oakland, California 94612.
- Focus: African American historical and cultural experiences in California and the West.
- Typical hours: Open Monday to Saturday; closed Sunday
- Research: Contact staff before visiting archival collections.
About the museum and library
The African American Museum and Library at Oakland (AAMLO) is part of the Oakland Public Library, with a mission to discover, preserve, interpret and share African American historical and cultural experiences in California and the West.
Formed in 1994, AAMLO brought together resources from the Northern California Center for Afro-American History & Life and the City of Oakland. It is housed in the Charles S.
Greene Library building in downtown Oakland, which it moved into that same year. For a broader sense of the city’s museum scene, the guide to museums in Oakland can help you weigh different visits.
Where is AAMLO, and what should you know about access?
AAMLO is at 659 14th Street, on the corner of 14th Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Way. The Oakland Public Library’s directions for drivers use I-880 North to I-980 East toward Walnut Creek, then the 11th Street exit toward 14th Street and Castro Street.
The multi-story building has an elevator. At the 14th Street entrance, a ramp, power-assisted doors and a rail support access; the building also has accessible bathrooms, accessible water fountains and accessible parking.
Parking options include a pay lot for patrons, nearby garages or paid lots, and street and metered parking. You can use the library’s location page to get directions and check the official site before you go, since published hours and parking details can change.
What can you explore in AAMLO’s collections?
AAMLO’s reference library includes a special non-circulating collection for use in the library. Its archival holdings span over 160 collections documenting families, pioneers, churches, and social and political organizations. Research guides cover subjects such as West Coast Blues and the Black Panther Party.
The photograph collection contains 1,953 images documenting African Americans in California from 1869 to 2008. Subjects include Oakland community life, athletics, business, churches, civil rights, early pioneers, entertainment, military, and fraternal and women’s organizations.
Online resources extend research beyond the building. Digitized collections are available through the Online Archive of California, while audiovisual materials on the Internet Archive date from the 1940s to the 2000s.
AAMLO’s Black Studies Collection brings together databases, journals, digitized collections and other resources curated by librarians. Its Black Thought and Culture resource contains approximately 100,000 pages of nonfiction writing by major Black figures in America, covering 250 years of history.
If you plan to consult archival collections, contact staff ahead of your visit so they can prepare to assist. For access inquiries, call 510-637-0200 or email aamlo@oaklandlibrary.org.
How can you pair AAMLO with downtown Oakland?
AAMLO’s downtown location makes it possible to include the museum and library in a day around central Oakland. If you’re arranging a broader city itinerary, the one-day Oakland itinerary offers another way to plan the order of your stops.
The Oakland Public Library provides a “Get Directions” option on AAMLO’s location page.
The museum and library is about 1.5 miles from Bay Bridge Inn Oakland.
FAQs
Do you need to arrange archival research in advance?
Yes. AAMLO encourages researchers to contact staff before visiting archival collections so staff can prepare to assist. Call 510-637-0200 or email aamlo@oaklandlibrary.org.
Can you use the reference collection outside the library?
No. AAMLO’s special reference collection is designated for use in the library.
What kinds of Oakland history appear in the photograph collection?
The photographs document community life across topics including civil rights, business, churches, athletics and entertainment, alongside other aspects of African American life in California.
Is AAMLO accessible to visitors with mobility needs?
The building has an elevator, and its 14th Street entrance has a ramp, power-assisted doors and a rail. Accessible bathrooms, water fountains and parking are also available.