Birmingham Public Library: Read-In For Justice
Birmingham Public Library, Ala.
Innovation Synopsis
In response to the racial injustice firestorm caused by the death of George Floyd, the Birmingham Public Library created a Facebook Live virtual event, Read-In for Justice, to allow local storytellers to voice their frustration by reading books written by people of color. This monthly event has been viewed thousands of times on Facebook, attracting individuals of all races eager to speak out against racism.
Challenge/Opportunity
No American city has dealt with the touchy subject of race like Birmingham, Ala. Worldwide attention focused on Birmingham after the 1963 bombing by Klansmen of Sixteenth Street Baptist Church killed four little black girls and Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. led civil rights marches protesting racist laws. BPL originally scheduled Read-In for Justice for a public park, but COVID-19 safety precautions in place forced a move virtually to Facebook Live. It was a blessing in disguise, allowing our library to reach a much broader audience thanks to the power of Facebook shares by participants and viewers.
Key Elements of Innovation
Hosted monthly via Facebook Live by BPL Outreach Librarian Candice Hardy, Read-In for Justice has expanded beyond authors reading books on race and social justice. The August program, Let the Children Speak, featured three poetry camp teens sharing original poems inspired by the Birmingham civil rights documentary, “Mighty Times: The Children’s March.” In September, BPL hosted Read In for Justice: Hispanic Heritage Month, featuring books written by Latino authors including some read in Spanish. BPL is exploring more ways to keep the issue of racial justice in the spotlight in coming months through this program.
Achieved Outcomes
Read-In For Justice began as a one-time virtual event allowing local storytellers to voice their frustrations by reading books about race and social injustice. Due to public demand, it has expanded into a monthly Facebook Live event gaining thousands of views and dozens of shares. Read-In for Justice has also expanded its platform into a forum for teen poets to read original works and Hispanic authors to read in Spanish. Read-In for Justice also gained national exposure when the Urban Libraries Council spotlighted the event in July. Patrons now look forward with excitement monthly to this popular event.
