This February, Shreve Memorial Library is inviting patrons of all ages and the general public to join in the African American Read-In. Created in 1990, the African American Read-In is the nation’s first and oldest event dedicated to diversity in literature. Library patrons can join the celebration by visiting any Shreve Memorial Library branch and checking out books by African American authors and about diverse issues February 1 through February 28.
The African American Read-In was created by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) in efforts to make literacy a significant part of Black History Month. Since its creation, the African American Read-In has reached more than 6 million participants worldwide, encouraging communities to read together and celebrate African American books and authors. Each February, schools, churches, libraries, bookstores, community and professional organizations, and interested citizens host events such as book discussions, book club meetings, public readings, and media presentations as part of the African American Read-In.
During the month of February, visit any Shreve Memorial Library branch to check out amazing, interactive displays featuring some of our favorite African American authors and book titles. Be sure to check out a book to enjoy for yourself or join one of our virtual book club discussions and share your thoughts with friends. The Red River Readers Book Club will meet via Zoom on February 21 at 6:00 p.m. to discuss The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray. The Personal Librarian is a fictional account based on the life Belle Da Costa Greene, an African American woman passing as white who was the personal librarian to J.P. Morgan and one of the most powerful and influential people in the art world of her time. To sign up for the book club discussion, register at bit.ly/34sXJrS.
Each year, the National Council of Teachers of English publishes a list of reading recommendations to supplement the African American Read-In. The following titles from the list and more are available for checkout at any Shreve Memorial Library. Please note that book titles may be available as books, ebooks and/or audiobooks.
- All Because You Matter by Tami Charles and Bryan Collier
- The Red Pencil by Andrea Davis Pinkney and Shane W. Evans
- The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander and Kadir Nelson
- Ordinary Hazards: A Memoir by Nikki Grimes
- Hair Love by Vashti Harrison and Matthew A. Cherry
- Blackout by Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, et al.
- The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
- We Are Not Broken by George M. Johnson
- Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson
For more information on the African American Read-In and other reading programs at Shreve Memorial Library, please visit www.shreve-lib.org.
About Shreve Memorial Library
Shreve Memorial Library transforms Caddo Parish lives with resources, services and support to create a better world. Focusing on service priority areas of creating and maintaining young readers, stimulating imagination, providing lifelong learning, information fluency, and ready references, and informing citizens, Shreve Memorial Library’s 21-branch system is maintained by a parish-wide property tax millage to support the informational, educational and recreational needs of its constituents.
