McMaster University Libraries is honouring Black History Month this February with programming across all libraries.
Black History Month is a month-long celebration of Black people's history, culture, and contributions, and takes place in February each year.
"Black History Month is important because it celebrates our black population, while inviting people to recognize contributions Black people have made to broader society, both now and in the past," said Crystal Kerr, diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility strategist at McMaster University Libraries.
Mills Memorial Library, H.G. Thode Library of Science & Engineering, and the Health Sciences Library will be featuring book displays for the month of February, highlighting Black authors and Black history. The libraries’ also invite people to access two featured collections on Omni.
“McMaster University Libraries is proud to contribute to such an important month of recognition,” said Vivian Lewis, associate vice-president and university librarian. “We want to take the time to honor the history, culture, and achievements of Black people and communities at all of our libraries across campus.”
McMaster University Libraries and the Equity and Inclusion Office will also be hosting an in-person event called Diasporic Dreams: Afrofuturism as Anti-Oppression on Feb. 11 from 1-3:30 p.m. in the Sherman Centre at Mills Memorial Library.
The event invites people to dream about new and vibrant futures, free from oppression and anti-Black racism and will feature prominent McMaster University staff reading from Afrofuturist literature by authors such as Octavia Butler, W.E.B DuBois and more. There will also be chances to win some great book giveaways.
Kerr says that the event is focused on authors who had the courage to dream new futures, put them down in writing, and share them.
“Dreaming is an act of resistance and is a way for people who are marginalized to think of new ways in which they can operate in the world,” said Kerr.
Below is a list of Black History Month programming at the libraries:
Featured Collection for Black History Month
Feb. 1-28, 2025
View the collection here
Health Sciences Library's Black Health Collection
Feb. 1-28, 2025
View the collection here
Mills Memorial Library book display
Feb. 1-28, 2025
Location: near elevators 3 and 4 on the first floor
H.G. Thode Library of Science & Engineering book display
Feb. 1-28, 2025
Location: main display case across from the service desk on the first floor
Health Sciences Library book display
Feb. 1-28, 2025
Location: main entrance across from the information desk
Diasporic Dreams: Afrofuturism as Anti-Oppression
Feb. 11, 2025
1-3.30 p.m.
Sherman Centre, first floor, Mills Memorial Library
Register here
To learn more about how McMaster University is celebrating Black History Month, visit the Black History Month 2025 webpage.
