Library resources exploring social injustice and race relations
June 12, 2020
At Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, our mission is to improve lives and build a stronger community. Our staff focuses their work every day to accomplish this goal by providing the resources, spaces, information and materials to everyone in our community. Everyone is welcome in our libraries.
In late spring 2020, people across the city, state, nation and world gather in large and small groups to protest the murder of George Floyd and the ongoing problem of systemic racism and injustice. Even though many may be feeling helpless, the Library is committed to providing resources and events, to facilitate conversations and to encourage all voices to be heard. Here is a brief listing of the materials that explore social injustice and race relations.
The Library participated in a conversation on race with WSOC on Thursday, June 11 where Outreach Leader Meryle Leonard discussed 2019 Community Read and our featured title, The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. You can view that show here.
Print & Digital Resources
- Reading List on Library Website/Catalogue:
- Black YA & LGBTQ
- Race and racial awareness for parents
- Black teens in America
- Movies to educate yourself on racial justice
- Board book featuring faces of color
- The Skin I’m In
- 24 race-related graphic novels
- Picture books featuring African American boys
- And many more.
Search and view all book lists here by searching “CMLibrary Suggests” and a keyword in the list search.
There are also curated anti-racism reading lists available through OverDrive.
- Book Club Kits & Book Bundles
- The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
- Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
- Sorting Out the New South City by Thomas Hanchett
- And more
- Podcasts
- Dianne English — The Ties That Bind: On Life and Meaning
- Charles Thomas — A More Beautiful World: On Life and Meaning
Programming & Outreach Events
- Book Clubs
- Social Justice Book Club – The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
- Adult Book Club - How to Be Antiracist by Abram X. Kendi
- Engage 2020
- Learning Circles
- Coffee & Conversation
- Teen Summit: Boost for A Better Tomorrow
- The Robinson Spangler Carolina Room
- Black South Rising Watch Party and discussion
- Let’s Talk Together (CBI)
Find an event here in the calendar page.
Your support allows Charlotte Mecklenburg Library to quickly respond to unplanned needs with timely and relevant resources. Please consider making a gift to the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation to continue this important work.
