Mississippi Humanities Council Announces Grants to Libraries
Designed as a response to current issues of racial division, the Anti-Racism Reading Shelf Project at the Mississippi Humanities Council developed a reading list and grant program to support library systems in the state. Over 150 libraries in 51 Mississippi counties received grants to purchase books related to the history and experience of racism.
According to MHC Executive Director Stuart Rockoff, library directors were asked how these books would benefit the communities they serve. One responded, "Hopefully, these books will inspire empathy in our readers, help them to understand and battle racism, and think about what they can do to help create a racially equitable community and state."
Funds to support the Anti-Racism Reading Shelf program came from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Community Foundation for Mississippi, and generous private donations.