Black History Month Programming in Public Libraries

Black History Month at the Crossroads of freedom and Equality

Black History Month (BHM)

2026 marks 100 years since the first Negro History Week/Black History Month. At the same time, we are at a crossroads as to what Black History Month (BHM) programming should look like going forward. This project is a critical step in examining that future. We studied BHM in public libraries, building on the groundwork laid by our ancestors. We honor their vision and commitment to commemorating African American achievements.

Two grants from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) are helping us shape the future of Black History Month programming in public libraries. In 2020, the Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA) received a Planning Grant from IMLS (LG-246429-OLS-20) and conducted a comprehensive literature review, created a taxonomy of BHM programming, and conducted a preliminary survey of BHM practices in public libraries. The Planning Grant was Phase 1 of this initiative. In 2022, the University of Michigan, in partnership with BCALA and the Public Library Association (PLA), received an Applied Research grant from IMLS (LG-252300-OLS-22). This was Phase 2 of the BHM project. We explored the current state of BHM programming with a nationally representative sample of public libraries and developed a beta version of a Toolkit for public library staff.

Learn about the grant, National Advisory Committee & project team

BHM and Public Libraries Timeline
1731 - 1993

Click the arrows to explore additional dates along the timeline. 

1731
First Public Library

Benjamin Franklin and Junto Club members start the first public library in America, The
Library Company of Philadelphia.

1905
First public library to serve African American community founded in Louisville, KY

Louisville Western Branch Library is built with funding from philanthropist Andrew
Carnegie to serve the African American community. It is fully staffed by African Americans with
Rev. Thomas Fountain Blue as the director.

1915
The Association of Negro Life and History is founded (later renamed the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, ASALH).
1926
Dr. Carter G. Woodson inaugurates Negro History Week.
1937
Dr. Woodson and Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune co-founded the Negro History Bulletin which highlighted annual BHM theme and contained lesson plans
1944
PLA Founded

The Public Library Association was founded.

1963
Access to Public Libraries Study funded by ALA documents racism in library services in US

In Anniston, Alabama, African American ministers Rev. Nimrod Reynolds and Rev. William McCain are both attacked by a white mob for attempting to integrate the Anniston Public Library.

1964
Enactment of the Library Services and Construction Act.
1966
Brown v. Louisiana, 383 US 131, U.S. Supreme Court held that “persons could not be punished for using the library peacefully to protest the illegal segregation of the library itself.”

Brown v. Louisiana, 383 US 131, U.S. Supreme Court held that “persons could not be punished for using the library peacefully to protest the illegal segregation of the library itself.”

1976
ASALH expands and renames Negro History Week to Black History Month
1976
ALA elects its first African-American president; Clara Stanton Jones
1993
Educational guide entitled Black History Month Resource Book by Mary Snodgrass published

Hardy R. Franklin President of the American Library Association (1993/1994).

Literature Review

The literature review on BHM programming in public libraries can be divided into three periods:

  • ✓  The Early Years (1926 – the mid-1960s) A period of segregation in American libraries
  • ✓  The Growth Years (the late 1960s – 1999) A period of growth for both BHM and libraries
  • ✓  The 21st Century Outlook (the 2000s) A period of conversations & debate about BHM
Discover the literature on BHM programming past, present and future

Taxonomy

The Black History Month Taxonomy allows librarians to evaluate the kinds of BHM programming they conduct and see if there is too much reliance on one type of programming. For librarians not doing BHM programming, it will give them a quick idea of what is possible.

Explore the Taxonomy of BHM programming

Key Findings

While there is a need to do Black History Month Programming given the demographic shifts occurring in the United States and the contributions African Americans have made to society, we were surprised to find from our preliminary research that 13% of the District/Library Systems and 22% of the branches do not conduct BHM programming. We also discovered other important information.

Learn about additional key findings here