Libraries Working Towards Social Justice

Memorial Hall Library is part of an initiative to educate and raise awareness in our community about issues related to racial and social inequities and to promote anti-racism and social justice. The Town has created a division, Andover DIVERSE, to focus on advancing community driven initiatives aimed at building a more diverse and inclusive Andover. MHL librarians have compiled a list of resources for all ages. MHL is also collaborating with seven other Merrimack Valley libraries - Burlington Public Library, Haverhill Public Library, Lawrence Public Library, Nevins Memorial Library, Stevens Memorial Library, Tewksbury Public Library, and Wilmington Memorial Library, on a virtual programming series in the coming months.

Unless otherwise noted, these resources were not created by MHL staff nor are they hosted on MHL's website, but they are sources that we consider to be of good quality. This list is by no means exhaustive. We attempt to prioritize local resources as well as resources created by Black and brown voices. We invite you to join us on this journey and to send your book and resource recommendations to rdesk@mhl.org. We'll update these lists over time.

Memorial Hall Library staff members have formed an Inclusivity Committee. Read more about it here.

Book Lists Curated by MHL

• A Racial Justice Reading List
• Racial Justice Books for Tweens & Teens
• Picture Books of Black Joy

Other Book Lists

• Diverse BookFinder
• The Brown Bookshelf
• Baratunde Thruston List
• Ibram X. Kendi Antiracist Reading List

Merrimack Valley Organizations & Initiatives

• The African Community Center of Lowell
• Andover Area Solidarity Group
• Elevated Thought
• Lowell RISE Coalition
• Merrimack Valley Black and Brown Voices
• Merrimack Valley Project
• Merrimack Valley Shows Up For Social and Racial Justice
• Merrimack Valley Social Justice
• Solidarity Lowell
• Statement from the Andover Select Board
• We Are Lawrence/Somos Lawrence

Watch Lists

• Antiracism Defined - Ibram X. Kendi TED YouTube Interview
• TED Talks to help you understand racism in America

Podcasts

• 1619 Project
• Code Switch
• Nice White Parents
• Scene On Radio: Seeing White

Articles & Reports

• Equal Justice Initiative - Reconstruction in America Report
• The Case for Reparations - The Atlantic

Resource Guides

• Anti-racism Resource Guide compiled by Tasha K. Ryals
• Antiracism Resources for White People compiled by Sarah Sophie Flicker, Alyssa Klein in May 2020
• 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge
• National Museum of African American History & Culture - Talking About Race
• Debby Irving - Resources for Educators, Librarians, and Parents
• Merrimack College McQuade Library Antiracism Resources