Black History Month: Literature and Resources

Atkins Library offers a large collection of Black literature, scholarship, and archival material. Showcased below are some highlights of our collection and potential reading options for those interested in participating in our annual Black Read event.

Over the past few years, there has been a marked increase in the number of books challenged and banned from public schools and libraries. The books most frequently challenged have a few commonalities. Many are books having to do with race and racism, that center on protagonists of color, or are authored by people of color. Of the top 10 challenged books of 2020, half were written by Black or African American authors.

The American Library Association collects data on book bans and censorship attempts. You can see lists of frequently banned and challenged books and learn more about ways to combat censorship at ALA Banned Books.

Below are a few of the most frequently challenged books that share black stories and history.