Black History Month Programming in Public Libraries

While virtually every public library across the U.S. conducts some program during Black History Month (BHM), there has never been a systematic study to assess the content, scope, target age groups, and focus of that programming. The Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA) received a Planning Grant (LG-246429-OLS-20) from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (INLS) to begin to explore the current state of Black History Month (BHM) programming offered at public libraries to identify gaps and opportunities for improved national programming. This planning grant brought together partners from key American Library Association Divisions and Offices, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, the University of Michigan's Program for Research on Black Americans, and other experts in the field to explore and catalogue current BHM programming. The outputs of the grant included 1) a comprehensive literature review, 2) a taxonomy of BHM programming, 3) a sampling plan, and 4) a draft framework for a future national research study. <b>The website for the project can be found at https://blackhistorymonth.bcala.org/. </b>