The Black American Library Card Project is a community partnership for a limited-edition library card celebrating the history, contributions and culture of Black Americans.
In June 2021, Brooklyn Public Library released a limited-edition library card celebrating Black American history, contributions and culture, in partnership with Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and Brooklyn’s Community Boards. The card was released as part of Brooklyn Public Library’s Juneteenth 2021 celebrations, the first year Juneteenth was recognized as a City, State and public school holiday.
This project began as a proposal from Wendy A. Robinson from Community Board 3’s Parks, Arts & Culture Committee to celebrate and raise awareness of the African American Heritage Center at Macon Library. BPL is grateful to Wendy A. Robinson and other Community Board 3 Members for their work developing this idea.
In January 2021, BPL put out an open call for artists to submit their designs for a library card. The designs were reviewed by a panel of BPL staff and community stakeholders. The finalists had their works displayed and the selected designer received a $2,000 stipend for their work.
This limited-edition card was released Summer 2021 at the African American Heritage Center at Macon Library and is available at all library branches in Brooklyn that are issuing library cards.
This card is BPL's first in a planned series of Celebrating Heritage library cards.
Project Partners
- Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams
- Community Board 2
- Community Board 3
- Community Board 4
- Community Board 5
- Community Board 6
- Community Board 8
- Community Board 9
- Community Board 10
- Community Board 13
- Community Board 14
- Community Board 16
- Community Board 17
Upcoming Events
Summer Reading @ The Library with Calpulli Community
Come join us to celebrate Summer Reading at the Library with Calpulli Community! Calpulli Mexican Dance Company’s mission is to celebrate the rich diversity of Mexican and Mexican-American cultural heritage through dance-based programming. Join us for a festive celebration of Mexican dance and…
International Folk Dancing Workshop
International Folk Dancing is not only a way for us to learn about other cultures around the world through their melodies, steps, patterns and instruments, but it also involves our memory and our…
Caribbean Flag Day
Play Games, eat Caribbean-themed snacks, try some Henna, and celebrate Flag Day at the library during this all ages event. The Canarsie Teen Advisers crafted this event.
Grab & Go @ Talea: Juneteenth Craft
Celebrate Juneteenth with all vibrant colors of red, green, yellow and black. These colors have a very special meaning and symbolism: Red represents blood which people have spilled in the fight for freedom; Green - the land; Black is symbol of black skin of Africa's people, and Yellow - mineral…
Juneteenth Celebration
Celebrate Juneteenth at Adams Street! From 2-5pm we will have snacks, giveaways and music outside of the library.
From 3-5pm we will have tote bag decorating inside for all ages!
While supplies last!!
LEARN HOW TO PLAY STEEL PAN
Come on out to Cortelyou Library and join us in a Steel Pan Workshop taught to you by DespersUSA!
Learn the necessary techniques and skills to master the art of playing steel pan.
