Funds sought to preserve Mayme Clayton’s trove of black Americana

Since the obituary of librarian Mayme A. Clayton appeared in Saturday’s Times, the newspaper has received numerous requests for information on donations for the library that will house her collection of books, photographs, films and other memorabilia chronicling the black experience.

Through Western States Black Research and Education Center, the nonprofit organization Clayton established in 1972 to promote interest in black history, her family is raising funds to move the collection from its humble home -- her garage -- to a safer and more spacious facility: a former courthouse building in Culver City.

Plans call for $6.8 million to renovate the building, hire staff and catalog and preserve more than 30,000 items, with the goal of opening the collection to the public in 2008.

Donations for the Mayme A. Clayton Library, Museum & Cultural Center may be sent to: Western States Black Research and Education Center, 3617 Montclair St., Los Angeles, CA 90018.