Getting Your Library Involved in February 

By: Celeste Leeds-Laliberte, NMRT Communications Committee Member

Welcome to the NMRT Blog! February is Black History Month, and the theme for 2026 is “A Century of Black History Commemorations.” 

However, February hosts not only Black History Month but also Valentine’s Day! Both events present excellent opportunities to highlight your library through displays, passive exhibits, and events. You can also get yourself involved in a variety of community events!

What can you do to get involved in Black History Month? 

1. Create a display! Think about popular and influential black authors, stories, and main characters to spotlight. These displays can be a combination of online and in-print books. Think about:
   1. Highlight faculty and staff who have written in these spaces
   2. Engaging with students or student workers to pick popular nonfiction and fiction works 

Need help identifying books to highlight? 

• Check out a Black History Month Reading List from the American Writers Museum!
• Look at the Ultimate Black History Month Reading List from Penguin House Publishing
• Browse a list of the Best Black History Books of 2025
• Check out a list of books for Black History Month from Library Journal

2. Post a trivia question! Find a whiteboard and write a new trivia question about Black History daily or weekly. Students can guess the answer and learn more about Black History. 

Need help finding trivia questions? 

• Browse 30 easy Black History trivia questions
• Look through 100 trivia questions for 2026

3. Create flip-cards! Research Black History facts, important figures, and dates. Display these cards on a passive table or wall for students to flip over. Think about focusing on little-known stories and facts! 

4. Create a bulletin board! Invite students to share their personal stories, favorite Black History stories, and Black heroes. Students can share and display their favorite authors, characters, and historical figures as well as learn more about others’ favorites!

5. Participate in professional development opportunities, become involved in communities or clubs, and continue to expand your knowledge. 

1. Check out By the Numbers: Black History where American Libraries, the flagship magazine of ALA, has published stats about Black history collections, authors, and literature!
2. Browse the American Association of School Librarians page. It hosts a page of helpful resources, lesson plans, and booklists that can be useful in engaging learners and patrons during Black History Month
3. Check out the ALA Advocacy page for tips on how to support authors and build diverse collections
4. Look at The Association for the Study of African American Life and History to learn more about Black History Month and see virtual events in February
5. Check out the Smithsonian Institution’s list of Black History Month events

Participate in these e-learning opportunities that focus on racial equity: 

• Fostering Racial Literacy with Children’s Literature
• Dismantling Racism in Collaborative Collections
• Tackling Racism and Bias in the Library Catalog
• Being the Only: The Intersection of POC and School Librarianship

Want to get involved with Valentine’s Day instead? 

1. Create friendship bracelets! Lay out fishing line and lettered beads on a passive table. Students can create their own bracelets to trade with friends, significant others, or use themselves. 
2. Blind Date with a Book! Read these Blind Date with a Book Tips and Tricks!
3. Invite students to share what they love about the library! Find a large whiteboard and invite students to share what they love about the library and what draws them to the space.