A Legacy of Service and Strength: Remembering Bobbie Smith 

by Professor Dele Ladejobi, Library Department Head

INTRODUCTION

Bobbie Smith (nee Bobbie Jean Davis) was born on May 5, 1932 in Mississippi, United States. She attended grade school in Mississippi during the trials of the segregation era and experienced the harsh discrimination of Jim Crow laws. She received a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in religious education from Eureka College and later, a master’s degree in library science from the University of Illinois at Champaign Urbana. Bobbie was married to her high school  sweetheart,  Herbert (“Herb”) Smith,” a famous basketball player on the Harlem Globetrotters for 35 years and they had two children. Bobbie and her family moved to California in 1965, during the time of the Watts Riots. She began her career in the audiovisual department of the Los Angeles County Library system and was later hired as the librarian for the Audio-Visual Department at Long Beach City College (LBCC). Her employment marked a historic milestone, as she became the first African American librarian employed at LBCC—approximately 43 years after the establishment of the college’s Library Department.

A LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE & ACHIEVEMENTS

Bobbie played a pivotal role in enhancing the prominence of the LBCC Audiovisual Department during a time when technology was becoming increasingly essential to education. Through her leadership, the department was restructured and elevated to the Media Services Department, and she served as the director for several years. Bobbie also played a key role in introducing automation and computer technology to both of the college libraries. She spearheaded the implementation of several computer-based information retrieval systems to enhance access for students and faculty.

In 1981, Bobbie was elected as the Library Department Head, a role she held with distinction. Her appointment marked another significant milestone, as she became the first African American to lead the department in its 54-year history. Bobbie served in the role until her retirement fromthe College in 1992. After her retirement from Long Beach City College, Bobbie remained actively engaged with the LBCC Library faculty, staff, and programs, continuing to support the institution she helped shape. During her tenure as a Library faculty at LBCC, Bobbie served on numerous college committees and was actively involved in both state and national library organizations. Among her many notable achievements, she was the first African American elected as Academic Senate President, a role in which she served multiple terms, and the first African American to serve as Faculty Union President.

Her passion for education extended well beyond her career at LBCC. Bobbie was elected to the Long Beach Unified School District Board of Education, becoming the first African American to serve in that role. She went on to serve four terms as Board President, during which she led efforts to restructure and reform schools within the district, leaving a lasting impact on public education in the community.

In recognition of her leadership, contributions, and commitment to educational equity, an elementary school was renamed in her honor. In 2014, the former Peter Burnett Elementary School—originally named after a white supremacist and slaveholding California governor was renamed Bobbie Smith Elementary School, celebrating her legacy and reaffirming the community’s values of inclusion and justice. Bobbie passed away in California on July 20, 2022, at the age of 90.

Below is a summary of many of Bobbie’s notable achievements:

• First African American LBCC Librarian (1970 – 1992)
• First African American LBCC Library Department Head (1981 - 1992)
• Instrumental in instituting an affirmative action policy and program at LBCC
• First African American LBCC Faculty Senate President (1975)
• First African American LBCC Faculty Union President (1977)
• First African American female Long Beach Unified School Board member and president serving four terms (1988 – 2004).
• Peter Burnett Elementary School was renamed in her honor by LBUSD (2014). According to Bobbie, this accomplishment was “a lifetime achievement” and the “GEOT – Grammy, Emmy, Oscar, Tony award all rolled into one.”
• Active member of the Long Beach branch of the NAACP
• Served as President of the National Council of Negro Women in Long Beach
• Founding Vice President of Eradicate the Hate Organization

INVESTING IN THE PRESENT, INNOVATING FOR THE FUTURE

On February 26, 2025, the Long Beach City College District (LBCCD) Board of Trustees unanimously approved the proposal submitted on behalf of the Library Department to rename the Liberal Arts Campus (LAC) Library in honor of Bobbie Smith. The proposal to rename the library in honor of Bobbie Smith received broad and enthusiastic support from individuals, organizations, and constituencies at the campus, community, state, and national levels. Notable endorsements included the LBCC faculty and staff, Long Beach Mayor’s Office, the Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD), librarian associations especially the California Librarians Black Caucus (CBLC), the Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA), the BCALA International Roundtable (BCALA IRRT), the LBCC Academic Senate, the LBCC Faculty Association (Union), as well as members of Bobbie’s sorority and church communities.

This historic decision was both professionally and personally gratifying. It marked the first time in the College’s history that a building was renamed in honor of an individual without an accompanying endowment—based solely on their remarkable contributions to the College and the broader community. This renaming also serves as a powerful acknowledgment that Bobbie’s legacy continues to inspire and reinforce Long Beach City College’s ongoing commitment to equity, access, and social justice. On a personal level, my publications about Bobbie in the CCL Newsletter and the Little Known Black Librarian Facts blog played a key role in inspiring the initiative to rename the library. My feature on Bobbie Smith in the Little Known Black Librarian Facts blog was specifically highlighted during the Board of Trustees meeting. The collaborative efforts of my Library colleagues—Professor Shamika Simpson, Professor Jeffrey Sabol, and myself, the ‘trio’ behind the LAC Library Renaming Team—have been truly exemplary and deserve recognition. With the support of Superintendent-President of the College, Dr. Mike Muñoz and Board of Trustees President, Mr. Uduak-Joe Ntuk, we worked tirelessly to bring this important initiative to fruition.

On May 21, 2025, a ceremony was held to officially rename and rededicate the LAC Library as the Bobbie Smith Library (BSL). As part of this significant milestone, the new name will be thoughtfully incorporated into both the design and overall identity of the reimagined library building.

Furthermore, the Bobbie Smith Scholarship Fund was established to promote greater awareness and support the increased enrollment of BIPOC students—particularly Black and African American students—in the fields of Library and Information Science, Education, Early Childhood Education, and Liberal Arts.

PROUD MOMENTS, LASTING IMPACT

Bobbie is fondly remembered for her elegance, charm, wit, humor, and natural charisma. She carried herself with grace and distinction, leaving a lasting impression on everyone she encountered. A gifted mentor, she was multi-talented, creative, and deeply compassionate. Her unwavering support touched countless lives and enriched the communities she served.Bobbie Smith was an exceptional librarian, educator, activist, and trailblazer. She was a passionate advocate for education, social justice, and women’s rights, leaving an indelible mark on Long Beach City College and the broader community. Her legacy continues to resonate, making the naming of the library in her honor a fitting tribute to her extraordinary life’s work. Renaming the LBCC Library as the Bobbie Smith Library recognizes her profound contributions and serves as a lasting inspiration to future generations. It reflects the values she championed — service, perseverance, and the transformative power of education — while reaffirming LBCC’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and academic excellence.

Works cited

Bobbie Jean Smith (1932-2022) – find a grave… Find a Grave. (n.d.). https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/243243285/bobbie_jean_smith Accessed August 5, 2022 Fiddler, JJ. “Bobbie Smith, LBUSD’s First Black Board Member, Dies at 90.” Long Beach Post News, 3 Aug. 2022, lbpost.com/news/education/bobbie-smith-lbusds-obit-first-black-board-member-dies-at-9 0. Accessed August 5, 2022

Fiddler, JJ. “Bobbie Smith, LBUSD’s First Black Board Member, Dies at 90.” Long Beach Post
News, 3 Aug. 2022,
https://lbpost.com/news/education/bobbie-smith-lbusds-obit-first-black-board-member-dies-at-90. Accessed August 5, 2022

“Initiative to Rename the Liberal Arts Campus Library at Long Beach City College in Honor of
Bobbie Smith.” LHRT NEWS AND NOTES, 16 Jan. 2025,
https://lhrt.news/2025/01/16/initiative-to-rename-the-liberal-arts-campus-library-at-long-beach-city-college-in-honor-of-bobbie-smith/. Accessed January 20, 2025

Ladejobi, Dele C. “Remembering A Legend: Bobbie Smith (1932-2022).” Little Known Black
Librarian Facts, 31 Aug. 2024,
https://littleknownblacklibrarianfacts.blogspot.com/2024/08/guest-post-remembering-leg
end-bobbie.html. Accessed September 1, 2024

Ladejobi, Dele C. “Remembering a Legend, Bobbie Smith.” Remembering a Legend, Bobbie
Smith | Council of Chief Librarians – California Community Colleges, Dec. 2022,
https://cclibrarians.org/outlook/december-2022/remembering-legend-bobbie-smith. Accessed
January 1, 2023

“Long Beach City College Renames Library to Honor Trailblazer Bobbie Smith.” Long Beach
City College, 22 May 2025,
https://www.lbcc.edu/press-release/long-beach-city-college-renames-library-honor-trailbl
azer-bobbie-smith. Accessed June 20, 2025

“Paying Tribute to Dr. King.” LBUSD News, 21 Jan. 2016,
https://www.lbschools.net/departments/newsroom/details/~board/board-lbusd-news/post/
board-lbusd-post-slug-1023. Accessed July 10, 2025

“Remembering Bobbie Smith.” LBUSD News, 21 July 2022, https://www.lbschools.net/departments/newsroom/details/~board/board-lbusd-
news/post/remembering-bobbie-smith. Accessed July 10, 2025

“Request for a Facilities Naming: Liberal Arts Campus Library in Honor of Bobbie Smith.”
BoardDocs® Agenda Item: 3.2 Request for a Facilities Naming: Liberal Arts Campus
Library in Honor of Bobbie Smith, LONG BEACH COMMUNITY COLLEGE
DISTRICT Board of Trustees , 26 Feb. 2025,
https://go.boarddocs.com/ca/lbcc/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DDUN885EA0F3. Accessed
February 30, 2025

Ruiz, Antonio. “First: Legends Who Made a Difference.” Palacio Magazine, 14 Oct. 2015,
https://palaciomagazine.com/first-legends-who-made-a-difference/#:~:text=BREAKING%20THROUGH%20Lighting%20the%20Way%20represents%20700%2B%20collective%20years%20of,pictures%2C%20historical%20documents%20and%20artifacts. Accessed July 12, 2025

“Smith School Celebrates Its New Name.” Article Details, LBUSD News, 19 Dec. 2014,
https://www.lbschools.net/departments/newsroom/details/~board/board-lbusd-news/post/board-lbusd-post-slug-1198. Accessed August 10, 2022

Telegram, Long Beach Press. “Bobbie Smith Is Right Name for Long Beach Elementary School:
Editorial.” Press Telegram, Press Telegram, 1 Sept. 2017,
https://www.presstelegram.com/2014/12/10/bobbie-smith-is-right-name-for-long-beach-elementary-school-editorial/. Accessed August 10, 2022

Wilkin, Binnie Tate. (2006). Bobbie Smith: Former Coordinator of Libraries at Long Beach City
College and Recently Retired Member and President of Long Beach Unified School
District Board of Education. In African American Librarians in the Far West: Pioneers
and Trailblazers, (pp. 221–28). Scarecrow Press.

YouTube Long Beach Elementary Students Meet School’s New Namesake, YouTube, 15 Feb.
2015, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPA1pl_R4iI. Accessed August 10, 2022

Bobbie Smith Memorial Scholarship

DONATE NOW!

Bobbie Smith was the very first Black woman to be hired at LBCC. She served as a department head, Academic Senate President, and Faculty Union President before her retirement in 1992. This scholarship will support students at Long Beach City College and memorialize her contributions and dedication to the College.

Long Beach City College Renames Library To Honor Trailblazer Bobbie Smith

Long Beach, CA – Long Beach City College (LBCC) proudly announces the renaming of its Liberal Arts Campus Library to the Bobbie Smith Library, honoring the college’s first African American librarian and a lifelong education leader for literacy, equity, and justice. Read the full announcement: Press Release May 22, 2025