Barbara Drake Memorial Library
The Barbara Drake Memorial Library is focused on Tongva and Indigenous cultures in California and the United States. Shortly before her death in November 2020, Tongva Elder Barbara Drake began planning and taking the first steps to create a library at the Robert Redford Conservancy dedicated to Tongva culture, history, language, and California native plants.
The library serves as a resource for the Tongva community, for Claremont College students, faculty, and staff, and for broader communities. The library is stewarded by a committee and the Drake family's deed of gift, which together ensure that the library will serve as a tool for Tongva cultural heritage and community learning. The Barbara Drake Memorial Library is housed in the built-in bookshelves within the Conservancy entryway and honors the legacy of Barbara Drake's dedication to Tongva cultural revitalization and education.
Barbara Drake's books represent her research and learning that she shared with all around her.
Search the Collection
Barbara Drake Memorial Library Books
Honoring Barbara Drake's Legacy
Barbara doing what she loved: teaching.
Barbara Drake's Books
Barbara Drake's books are part of the Claremont College Honnold Mudd Library cataloging system, but they are available in person for view at the Redford Conservancy. The collection does not circulate. To browse the collection, click on this link to the Honnold Mudd Library.
In the spirit of the generosity of Barbara Drake and her dedication to teaching and learning, please email rrc@pitzer.edu for an appointment to visit the collection.
Stay tuned for library news, open hours, and cataloging progress. With gratitude to the Drake family and the Barbara Drake Library Committee for stewarding this important resource. Read more about Barbara Drake and learn about Indigenous groups in Southern California on the , the website of the , and a website dedicated to .
Barbara Drake wearing flowers and a crown on her 80th birthday.
Barbara Drake's Papers
are held at the Honnold Mudd Library Special Collections and available to the public . The two collections are companions to one another in honoring her memory.