Staff picks

Illustrated biographies of artists, musicians, dancers, actors, writers, storytellers, and designers.

"The 2025 Black History Month theme, African Americans, and Labor, focuses on the various and profound ways that work and working of all kinds – free and unfree, skilled, and unskilled, vocational and voluntary – intersect with the collective experiences of Black people. Indeed, work is at the very center of much of Black history and culture." - from the Association for the Study of African American Life and History This Black History Month, check out a book (or several!) from this list to expand your knowledge about seen and unseen labor carried out by the Black community. Organized by publication date, this list focuses on a variety of labor performed by the Black community, from agriculture to nursing, from entertainment to prison labor.

Check out a book (or several!) about the seen and unseen labor carried out by the Black community. Organized by publication date, this list focuses on a variety of labor performed by the Black community, from agriculture to nursing, from entertainment to prison labor.

This Juneteenth, read the recommended books below with your little one to learn more about the holiday, guide discussions about slavery and freedom, celebrate change and think about ways to stand up for justice today.

Black Resource Collection is a cultural collection offering a variety of materials that are primarily written by African Diasporic authors. Ranging from the latest fiction titles to out-of-print newspapers, this collection also has materials for all ages that focus on the experience of the African Diaspora. BRC materials can be found at all library locations. This is a list of exciting new and forthcoming titles from the collection's selector.

Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas with news that the U.S. Civil War had ended, marking the end of slavery for African Americans in this country. Since then, June 19th or "Juneteenth" has been observed as a holiday, celebrating the end of slavery in America, and its meaning to the cultural resiliency of African Americans over the years. Created by the Black Cultural Library Advocates team, this list of Juneteenth reads was curated to highlight the importance of celebration, community gathering, and honoring history.

Juneteenth is a historical celebration that commemorates liberation in the past, present and future. Created by the Black Cultural Library Advocates team, this list highlights the intersections of advocacy, resilience, and the commitment to community activism and growth.

African Americans have deep historical connections to the West and their stories are often overlooked. Here is a deep dive into these stories and histories. -- Jem J.

Mark Black History Month 2024 by exploring these titles for young readers focused on African Americans in the arts. 

-Alicia T.

Mark Black History Month 2024 with this list of curated titles focused on African Americans and the arts. 

-Alicia T.

The Cascade Festival of African Films, hosted by PCC Cascade, is the oldest African film festival in the U.S., and is now in its 34th year. Get ready by hosting a home-watch party with these films from past festivals, available for streaming. CFAF runs from Feb. 2 to March 2, 2024.

Explore this list of works from writers who identify as being Afro-American, Black, African American, Latino, Latinx or Latine.

Explore these contributions from authors who write from the intersections of their Indigenous, Black and African American identities. 

The national theme for Black History Month 2023 is Black Resistance. This is a curated list of books for Kids and family and young readers focusing on Black Resistance.

Books, music, dvds, and resources highlighting Black Portlanders.

Explore these titles curated for the participants of a Portland walking series exploring Afro-ecology, organized by Oregon Walks.

The Black Resources Collection (BRC) offers a wide variety of materials relating to the Black Diaspora. This is a curated list of books about self-care and mental health that center on the Black experience.

The Black Resources Collection (BRC) offers a wide variety of materials relating to the Black Diaspora. This is a curated list of books about caring for our bodies that center on the Black experience.

On June 19th, 1865, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas with news that the U.S. Civil War had ended, marking the end of slavery for African Americans. Since then, June 19th or "Juneteenth" has been observed as a holiday, celebrating the end of slavery in America and the culturally resiliency of African Americans over the years. On Saturday, June 12th, 2021, join Multnomah County Library's Black Cultural Library Advocates team and Multnomah County's Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) program for a series of online events celebrating Juneteenth.

Enjoy these cookbooks that celebrate the culture and history of Black food! And on Saturday, June 12th join Multnomah County Library's Black Cultural Library Advocates team and Multnomah County's Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) program for a Juneteenth cooking demonstration.