Libraries across Salford are celebrating Black History Month with displays about famous black figures from history.
Catherine Shaw, the Library Development Officer for Salford Community Leisure, has been working with local libraries to create displays in multiple venues across the city. These displays include information sheets on famous black figures in history – both internationally and nationally.
Ms Shaw stated they wanted to celebrate important dates throughout the year and that Black History Month was one of them.
She said: “We believe it’s important to offer a diverse range of stock, events and activities that represent our customers and communities as well as raise awareness of the contributions from marginalised communities.”
These events have included celebrations for Refugee Week and Gypsy, Roma Traveller History Month earlier this year.
While not all the libraries who are part of Salford Community Leisure have plans for a display, Pendelton, Irlam and Swinton have already set up their displays. They each have two displays, one in the main area of the library and one in the junior/children’s areas – each is slightly different from the other.
The junior version of each display just has the information sheets which include figures such as Nelson Mandela, Mary Seacole, Marcus Rashford and Barack Obama. The main displays have information sheets alongside books about black characters or influential figures such as Samuel L Jackson.
Anne-Marie Reid, a staff member at Pendleton Library, stated that although the majority of books on display focused around black characters, they were open to displaying books by black authors. As they believe it’s not about what was in the book but the people behind it that should be celebrated.
When talking about Pendleton Library, Catherine Shaw said: “Pendleton is one of the most diverse areas in Salford and so we wanted to reflect that community in our libraries. Which is why having a display in Pendelton’s library was so important to us.”
She also mentioned their hopes for Pendleton Library to be given a Library of Sanctuary status. Anne-Marie Reid said this created an emphasis for this display in the library, to create a space to celebrate diversity and marginalised groups.
The displays will be available to view all month in multiple Salford libraries. Select libraries will keep the information sheets in a folder after October for the public to access.
Learn more about Salford Black History Month events here.
Recent Comments