African American Resource Collection
Introducing the REACH Center: A New Community Initiative from the New Orleans Public Library
The Library is gearing up to open a new multi-use community center in the 7th Ward, a historically Black neighborhood, as an extension of the AARC.
The REACH Center will feature a community event and resource center, free coworking space, and public art gallery, located in the Corpus Christi-Epiphany Community Resource Center at 2022 St. Bernard Avenue. Guided by a strong focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion, the REACH Center aims to be a thriving community center that empowers individuals and businesses to reach their full potential.
The AARC serves the informational, educational, and cultural needs of African Americans and the larger New Orleans community. The AARC’s focus is to cultivate a rich collection of reference and circulating non-fiction materials related to digital, financial, and health literacy and Black culture, throughout the New Orleans Public Library system. The AARC facilitates community engagement and promotes community wellness through cultural awareness programs, outreach, and community partnerships.
Our goal is to REACH New Orleans through Resources, Equity and Inclusion, AARC, Community, and Help.
Resources
Featured e-Resource: HistoryMakers
A digital archive of African American oral histories that enlightens, entertains, and educates the public, helping to refashion a more inclusive record of American history.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Remember! Celebrate! Act! Review MLK Lesson Plan.
Reading Lists
New Orleans Public Library staff have compiled reading lists for all ages regarding anti-racism, systemic oppression, implicit bias, social justice, and how to be a better ally to people of color. Due to the high demand for many of these titles, the Library is purchasing more copies to reduce wait times.
Adult
Children & Teen
- Picture Books for Babies & Toddlers
- Picture Books for Preschool & Kindergarten
- Picture Books for School Age
- Books for Middle Grade
- Teen Fiction
- Teen Nonfiction
Videos
Websites
- From Learning for Justice (Formerly Teaching Tolerance)
- Classroom Resources
- Equity Matters: Developing Empathy
- Equity Matters: Confronting Implicit Bias
- Indigenous Peoples’ History
- Latinx History is Black History
- What is White Privilege, Really?
- Let’s Talk! Discussing Race, Racism, and Other Difficult Topics with Students
- Responding to Hate and Bias at School
- Let’s Talk! Discussing Whiteness
- Let’s Talk! Discussing Black Lives Matter
- Being A Better Ally to All
- Unconscious Bias: Perceptions of Self & Others
- Working Across Difference: Making Better Connections
- Talking with Kids about Race and Racism: A Community Conversation
- Q&A: How To Talk To Kids About Black Lives And Police Violence
- Embrace Race webinars
Equity and Inclusion
As outlined in our Equity Statement, the Library is committed to providing equitable access to our resources and cultivating an equitable environment for both Library users and staff. The Library unequivocally condemns acts of racism, hatred, and violence, and stands in support of the Black Lives Matter movement and the Statement Condemning Increased Violence and Racism Towards Black Americans released by the Black Caucus of the American Library Association.
AARC
What to Watch for Black History Month
Community
- Low-Barrier Shelter: 1530 Gravier St
- Back-A-Town Coffee Shop: 301 Basin St Suite 1
- Crazy Plant Bae: 716 N. Claiborne Ave
- I-tal Garden: 810 N. Claiborne Ave
- Glorias Grocery: 1800 Conti St
- Odyssey House: 2700 S Broad St
We also partner with the following community organizations:
- Art Space 3116
- Ashe Culture Center
- Ben Franklin High School
- Community Book Center
- Edna Karr High School
- Get Up and Ride NOLA
- Global NOLA
- Hidden History Tours
- Laissez Faire Productions
- Ogden Museum of Southern Art
- Science and Math Academy
- Sistahs On Wheels
- Sista Midwife Productions
- Spanish Moss Studios
- The New Orleans Kwanzaa Coalition
Help
The AARC librarian provides phone and email reference as well as in person reference for patrons, schools and community organizations. Please contact Shukrani, African American Resource Equity and Inclusion Librarian, at aarc@nolalibrary.org.
Additional resources and program information will be regularly added to this page.
