About the collection
Established in December 1989, the Art Tatum African American Resource Center maintains nearly 4,000 printed sources and documentary materials for the study of Black history and culture.
The Resource Center, a dedicated space located inside of the Kent Branch in Toledo’s historic Old West End neighborhood, is named in honor of town native Art Tatum (1901-1956), whose long and noteworthy contributions to jazz piano nurture the Center’s lifelong learning and local community partnership initiatives.
The Resource Center hosts quarterly public programs available to all Library customers. The Center is also home to the Erdene Cole Oral History of Lucas County Collection, covering various aspects of social and organizational life in the African American community. Additionally, the work of local artists is regularly exhibited within Kent Branch’s public art spaces.
