February is Black History Month and the theme for 2023 is Black Resistance. The Library provides resources that document, commemorate, and celebrate Black history and experiences in the U.S.
Book display: Looking for something to read? Visit our Black History Month display in the GLA Reading Room (main floor, north side). Feel free to borrow books from the display!
Interested in a specific topic? Resources on African American history and experiences can be found throughout the Library – from the arts, to history, to literature, to science, and more. Search the Library Catalog for books on topics of interest – for instance, try searching for African Americans and music, poetry, military service, voting rights, women’s rights, or others areas of interest.
Want to explore first-hand primary sources? (note: A Gustavus account is required to access most of the resources in the list below)
- African American Newspapers in Minneapolis and St. Paul, 1885-1925
- Black Freedom Struggle in the United States: Challenges and Triumphs in the Pursuit of Equity
- Black Life in America: The experience and impact of African Americans as recorded by the news media, 1704-1975
- Civil Rights and Social Justice
- Federal Surveillance of African Americans, 1920-1984
- Slavery and Anti-Slavery: A Transnational Archive. Part 1, Debates over Slavery and Abolition
- Slavery in America and the World: History, Culture & Law
Current issues:
Pew Research Center report: “For Black History Month, a look at what Black Americans say is needed to overcome racial inequality (January 20, 2023) – Key findings from Pew Research Center surveys that explore Black Americans’ views about how to overcome racial inequality.
NewsBank Special Reports: Black History Month – News articles on current events, background information, images, suggested search topics, and more.
Need research help? Ask a Librarian