5 Ways Art Libraries Can Celebrate Black History Month
Are librarians griots
<https://theculturetrip.com/africa/mali/articles/what-is-a-griot-and-why-are-they-important/>?
I ask myself this every time my heel crosses a library threshold. While we
equally serve as keepers of the record, we have distinct differences in
practice. Griots believe information must be told as it happens which leads
me to question curatorial selection as a practice that may lend us to be
more gatekeeper than preserver. As Black History Month draws to a close,
here are ways to ensure history and the historical record include Black
people.
1.
African American / Diaspora Museum and Gallery Partnerships
Partnerships with museums and galleries are a must. Perusing virtual
bookstores for prospective purchases lend to finding contemporary Black
artists to feature in Libguides and library instructions, workshops,
presentations, or guest lecture opportunities. Examine your institution's
collection. How inclusive is your Special Collection? Does it reflect the
current state of ethnic exclusion in art libraries? How often are patrons
shown Black letterpress artists like Amos Kennedy Jr., kennedyprints on
Instagram, or artist book makers in your institution?
1.
Incorporate Reading Lists
Reading lists introduce literature that shaped a community, movement, and
ideology. Readings are key to a deeper understanding of what shaped a mind
and in 1968, the Black Panthers
<https://research.pugetsound.edu/c.php?g=782488&p=5607493> issued such a
list to members. Additionally, musician and creator Sun Ra
<https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/80279.Sun_Ra_s_Reading_List> provided
readings that shaped his intergalactic mind. These lists expand the
dynamism of your catalog and offer a deeper engagement with people,
organizations, and movements.
1.
Support Black Owned Bookstores
COVID-19 has been catastrophic to Black businesses. During a recent Roland
Martin Unfiltered news segment, economist and president emeritus of Bennett
College Dr. Julianne Malveaux stated that 40% of Black businesses have
closed since the pandemic. As libraries support local bookstores we can
additionally support local Black bookstores which may offer a different
voice to subject areas. The Oprah Magazine article “125 Black-Owned
Bookstores in America That Amplify the Best in Literature
<https://www.oprahmag.com/entertainment/books/a33497812/black-owned-bookstores/>”
outlines Black bookstores by state.
1.
Ensure Black People Are Represented In Every Subject
Roaming the stacks at a GLAM space I worked at, it dawned on me that
someone was missing. I was searching for Black troops in Germany during
WWII and found nothing, but “how could this be?” Africans served in the
German military prior to the Nazi regime and there are accounts of Black
American POWs segregated in concentration camps. I began to purchase these
resources to ensure that the collection reflected a variety of experiences.
As libraries ensure resources represent all subjects, we should ask
ourselves, “who is missing?”
1.
Create a Book Club
One of the best ways to engage the community is through a book club.
Hosting a reading group is a phenomenal way to ensure your community stays
engaged, expands their knowledge, and celebrates Black contributions.
The University
of Richmond <https://facultyhub.richmond.edu/programs/book-club.html> hosts
a campus-wide book club which may be a great place to start if you want to
create one of your own.
Image Credit
The COM Library. Black History Month on Display . February 4, 2020. FLICKR.
https://flic.kr/p/2ip9gY5.
References
“Directory – Association of African American Museums.” n.d. Association of
African American Museums – The Official Web Site of Association of African
American Museums. Accessed February 23, 2021.
https://blackmuseums.org/directory/.
(Editor), Amiri Baraka. n.d. “Sun Ra’s Reading List (15 Books).” Goodreads
| Meet Your next Favorite Book. Accessed February 23, 2021.
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/80279.Sun_Ra_s_Reading_List.
Garvey, Marcus. n.d. “Black Panther Party Reading List Books.” Goodreads |
Meet Your next Favorite Book. Accessed February 23, 2021.
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/black-panther-party-reading-list.
Jean-Philippe, McKenzie. 2020. “125 Black-Owned, Independent Bookstores By
State.” Oprah Magazine. Oprah Magazine. August 27, 2020.
https://www.oprahmag.com/entertainment/books/a33497812/black-owned-bookstores/#washington_image
.
Okoh, Lize. 2018. “What Is a Griot and Why Are They Important?” Culture
Trip. The Culture Trip. May 24, 2018.
https://theculturetrip.com/africa/mali/articles/what-is-a-griot-and-why-are-they-important/
--
*Karynne Courts, of Mindessence - "a visionary leader constantly and
flexibly adjusts the lenses to meet the needs of their audience"; so I
think the same thing may apply to engagement, it’s important to think about
the audience and adjust to their needs." *
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