The African American Resource Center (AARC) was a reference division of the New Orleans Public Library located on the second floor of the Main Library. The AARC specialized in resources pertaining to African American studies, cultural programing, genealogy, and educational materials. The collection included reference books, microfilm of African American newspapers and periodicals, photographs, sheet music, records, African American genealogy resources, and additional special collection materials. The AARC hosted a robust programming schedule which included the LEH grant funded “Tom Dent Literary Festival” in partnership with Dillard University, a juvenile Summer Camp, and annual Black History Month celebrations planned by the Black History Month Committee.

In 2017, the AARC was closed and materials were absorbed into existing library collections. Reference books can be found as part of the African American Reference Collection housed at the Main Library, and materials of archival quality and historical importance were transferred to the City Archives & Special Collections.

• 1992-1993--Planning
• 1994--Development plan approved by the Board; AARC opened in office space on the 3rd floor as an advisory group and to assist with the opening of the King Branch
• 1996--AARC moves to space on the second floor of the Main Library
• 1997--The AARC opens its doors to the public in January 1997.
• 2010--AARC renovations
• 2017--AARC closes and the collection is absorbed into the Main Library’s general collection as the “African American Reference Collection.” Archival materials are integrated into the City Archives & Special Collections
• 2019--Paper and electronic records are processed and inventoried by City Archives staff