Coming Soon to the Niagara Falls library: The Culture Box

From computer classes to crafting circles, from children’s storytimes to author readings and for grownups, art exhibitions and musical performances -- there’s always a lot going on at the Niagara Falls Public Library. One of my favourite parts of being a librarian in our busy community development and programming department, though, is when we get a chance to go beyond our four walls and work with community partners.

An exciting partnership we’ve had in the works for a while now is an initiative by the Niagara Falls Anti-Racism Committee. The Culture Box is a collection of book kits that focus on stories of diversity for students, kindergarten to Grade 8. Titles have been selected for each grade level that feature representations of racial, cultural, religious, ability, sexual and gender diversity. The kits will be available for educators, community groups or anybody with a Niagara Falls Public Library card to borrow, starting at the end of February.

Growing up in Niagara Falls, some of the members of the Anti-Racism Committee have told me that they did not see themselves represented in the culture of the time, including the books available at their school library. Since stories are powerful in shaping how we see and make sense of the world, it is extremely important for each child to see people like them represented to help make sense of themselves and their lived experience. The flip side is that it’s also important that each child sees people unlike them represented, to help make sense of other people and learn about their lived experience.

It’s with these twin goals in mind that the committee invited us to partner with them on the Culture Box. Even within the last few years, films and TV shows have arguably made progress on portraying a greater diversity of characters with a greater degree of depth and detail. The same could be said for children’s books at all grade levels and we’ve picked out some excellent titles we hope kids are going to love and learn from.

As important as it is to celebrate Black History Month in February, it’s equally if not more important to keep talking about everything Black History Month is all about, and more, all year round. Hopefully the Culture Box can help make these conversations happen. Keep an eye out for an announcement towards the end of the month to see how you can bring a Culture Box to your classroom, church, or community organization.