October is Black History Month (BHM). Each year in the Library we mark Black History Month by creating & sharing displays, reading lists and Box of Broadcasts playlists. This year we wanted to try something new and focus on Black writers from around the globe.  

In previous years, our BHM displays have focused mostly on the work of British and American writers. This time, we really wanted to show the wide variety of literature by Black writers from other continents, too. As in previous years, our display has a mix of novels, histories, short story collections and autobiographies, but this year we have added works written in French, Spanish and Portuguese, as well as in English.  

This BHM we wondered, how can we introduce more of our Library visitors to the world of Black writers? By showing it on a map! Our BHM world map is now on display in the Library. We’ve added images of book covers to countries on the map, showing where each author comes from. A QR code on each book takes you directly to its record on our catalogue where you can find where in the Library the item is shelved, or follow the link to the eBook version to read it online.  

Our map includes works of authors from across Africa, Europe, North, Central and South America, and Oceania, too. Our hope is that people see something new and try out a book they might not otherwise have been aware of. There are recent books like Girl, Woman, Other by the fabulous Bernadine Evaristo, right through to a short story by Alexander Puskin, who was born in the 18th Century.  

With dozens on the map and many more in the display, there’s something for everyone! Do you think we’ve missed something? Add your favourite authors and titles to the comment section.