AMESBURY – In honor of Black History month, the Amesbury Public Library is highlighting stories featuring Black characters, written by Black storytellers and more.
Throughout February, approximately 20 books focused on topics like black history will be on display in the library’s youth services department.
Head of Youth Services Clare Dombrowski said when she selected books from the library’s collection, history was the focus.
“This year our display, and the picture books that I chose, focused on some different periods throughout time in American history that were really impactful. So, that was what I was looking at in terms of looking at those picture books, and also just highlighting some fantastic writing and illustration. Some of these books are award winners. So, I think there were a lot of different ideas going into these choices, because there is a lot to highlight during this month,” she said.
One book on display is “All Aboard the Schooltrain” written by Glenda Armand and illustrated by Keisha Morris. According to the library’s social media post, the book is for readers 6 and older, and tells the story of a young girl named Thelma living in 1930’s Louisiana during the Great Migration.
Dombrowski said by pulling books out of their normal place on the shelves and displaying them, the library is giving its patrons the chance to engage with books they may not have read before.
“Really, our goals are to highlight some books that people may not seek out at other times or may not realize we have in the collection, and have those discussions about topics that are hard to have. And, a book is the way to start it,” she said.
Amesbury Public Library Director Aimie Westphal said it is important that library visitors feel represented in the books that the library offers.
“When people see themselves reflected in books at the library, it sends a powerful message that they belong here. This is especially important for kids and teens, who are forming their sense of self. It is part of our mission to provide a collection for people to see themselves reflected and to learn about diverse experiences,” she said.
The books on display are for kids of all ages, from elementary school-aged children to teens. Regardless of which book they choose, Dombrowski said she hopes reading them leads to discussions.
“I think that’s our goal really, is to provide the space and the resources for families to explore and to question and discuss. So, it sometimes sparks conversations that happen after the fact, and we hear about them. A parent may come up and say ‘This book is really insightful, and we had a really great discussion around this,’. Or, it might cause a conversation in the library and ask for more recommendations,” she said.
The display will remain up until the end of the month. Those interested in learning more about the books available can visit the Amesbury Public Library’s Facebook page.