About

The University of Michigan received an Applied
Research Grant from the Institute
of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)

Overview

National Advisory Committee

BHM Methodology Group

BHM Toolkit Taskforce

Outcomes of the Grant

A Knowledge of the Community Scale
An understanding of BHM programming with a nationally representative sample of public libraries
A BHM Programming Index
A BHM Toolkit1.0 for staff at public libraries currently not conducting BHM programming
A public archive of the data

About us

Overview of Grant

The University of Michigan’s Program for Research on Black Americans at the Institute for Social Research, in partnership with the Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA) and the Public Library Association (PLA), conducted a comprehensive study of Black History Month (BHM) programming in public libraries. This IMLS-funded Phase 2 grant built upon the previous IMLS Planning Grant to the BCALA. The Phase 1 grant was essential for providing a high-level view of BHM programming in public libraries and for understanding the types, focus, content, and scope of that programming. Most importantly, we identified some methodological challenges in conducting a national study and have incorporated those “lessons learned” into the design of this national study, which uses a nationally representative sample of public libraries. Beneficiaries of this project include public libraries involved in programming and the communities they serve nationwide. The project will be conducted from August 1, 2022 – December 31, 2026.

Our two central research questions for this project were:

Research Question #1: What is the state of BHM programming in public libraries? This is an extension of the work we did during the Planning Grant to a nationally representative sample.

Research Question #2: How are service area, library organizational, and individual factors associated with the existence and complexity of BHM programming in public libraries?

National Advisory Committee

We created a National Advisory Committee (NAC) to ensure this project’s success and guarantee national impact. The NAC represents strategic partnerships and a strong collaboration of professionals with the right expertise to conduct the planning and initial study. The 16-member NAC includes representatives from the BCALA, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), people representing different ALA Divisions and Offices, and researchers from the Program for Research on Black Americans (PRBA) at the University of Michigan. The NAC was involved in all aspects of this grant including: identifying focus group members, refining and disseminating the questionnaire and providing feedback on the literature review and taxonomy.

7 Members

Black Caucus of the American Library Association

Wanda K. Brown, MLS

President (2024-2026), Black Caucus of the American Library Association
Director of Library Services, C. G. O’Kelly Library
Winston-Salem State University
Previously, President, American Library Association

Nichelle M. Hayes, MPA, MLS

President (2022-2024), Black Caucus of the American Library Association
Previously, Director, Center for Black Literature and Culture
Indianapolis Public Library

Shauntee Burns-Simpson, MLIS

President (2000-2002), Black Caucus of the American Library Association
Currently, Director, Youth and Family Services, DC Public Library
Previously, Associate Director, School Support and Outreach, New York Public Library

Grace Jackson-Brown, PhD, MLS

Project Director for BCALA, Developing a Model of BHM Programming in Public Libraries
Professor Emerita, Missouri State University Libraries
Chair, Springfield African American Read-In

James Allen Davis, Jr., MLS

Vice-President (2024-2026), BCALA
Branch Manager, Bear Valley Library, Denver Public Library

Yolanda Gleason, MLIS

Executive Board Member, BCALA
Borough Director, Staten Island, New York Public Library

Tamela Chambers, MLIS

Public Library Sub-Committee Chair, BCALA
Branch Manager, Beverly Branch, Chicago Public Library

5 Members

The University of Michigan

Deborah Robinson, PhD, MBA

Assistant Reserch Scientist
PI, Developing a Model of BHM Programming in Public Libraries
Institute for Social Research
University of Michigan

Libby Hemphill, PhD

Director, Resource Center for Minority Data, ICPSR
Associate Professor, School of Information
University of Michigan

Briana Mezuk, PhD

Professor, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Director, Center for Social Epidemiology and Population Health
University of Michigan

Karin Schneider, MA

Senior Research Associate
Survey Research Operations, Institute for Social Research
University of Michigan

M. Belinda Tucker, PhD

Vice Provost Emerita, Institute of American Cultures
Professor Emerita of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences
UCLA Geffen School of Medicine
University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA)

2 Members

Public Library Association

Eliana (Ellie) Tang Kleiman

Communications Associate
Public Library Association

Amita Lonial, MLIS

Former PLA Board Member Term
Library Director
Tacoma Public Library

1 Member

Association for Rural and Small Libraries

Shannon Terry

Director, Minersville Public Library
Minersville, Utah

1 Member

Public Programs Office ALA

B.B. Cooper Browne

Previously, Program Officer, Public Programs Office, ALA
Currently, Grants Program Officer, Illinois Humanities

1 Member

Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH)

Aaisha Haykal, MLS

Chair Program Committee and Executive Board, ASALH
Manager of Archival Services
Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture

7 Members

BHM Methodology Group Members

Deborah Robinson, PhD, MBA

Assistant Reserch Scientist
PI, Developing a Model of BHM Programming in Public Libraries
Institute for Social Research
University of Michigan

Karin Schneider, MA

Senior Research Associate
Survey Research Operations, Institute for Social Research
University of Michigan

Briana Mezuk, PhD

Professor, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Director, Center for Social Epidemiology and Population Health
University of Michigan

M. Belinda Tucker, PhD

Vice Provost Emerita, Institute of American Cultures
Professor Emerita of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences
UCLA Geffen School of Medicine
University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA)

Jane Rafferty, MA

(2022-2025)
Senior Research Analyst, Program for Research on Black Americans (PRBA)
University of Michigan

Laura Tadena, MBA, MLIS

Currently, Head Librarian, Associate Professor, Austin Community College – Eastview Campus
Previously, Community Engagement Librarian, Austin Public Library

Aisha Johnson, PhD

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Outreach at the Georgia Tech Library
Executive Council (2026 Class), Association for the Study of African American Life and History

3 Members

BHM Toolkit Taskforce Members

Grace Jackson-Brown, PhD, MLS

Coordinator, BHM Taskforce
Project Director for BCALA, Developing a Model of BHM Programming in Public Libraries
Professor Emerita, Missouri State University Libraries
Chair, Springfield African American Read-In

Shauntee Burns-Simpson, MLIS

President (2000-2002), Black Caucus of the American Library Association
Currently, Director, Youth and Family Services, DC Public Library
Previously, Associate Director, School Support and Outreach, New York Public Library

Tamela Chambers, MLIS

Public Library Sub-Committee Chair, BCALA
Branch Manager, Beverly Branch, Chicago Public Library