The Berkeley High School Library spotlights Black History Month through book displays, which is done by the library for every heritage and awareness month. The library does this as a part of the district’s Black Lives Matter resolution, which aims to share books that are “intended to highlight, uplift and affirm the rich history and contributions of the Black community.” For Black History Month (BHM), Allyson Bogie, librarian at Berkeley High School, recommends “Death of The Author” by Nnedi Okorafor and “The Girls Who Grew Big” by Leila Mottley. “Black history is American history and shouldn’t be seen as separate,” Bogie said.
Washington Elementary School prioritizes Black History Month through organizing assemblies, read-alouds, and special projects. Jackie Overlid, the librarian at Washington, makes displays of selected books to highlight stories of joy, as well as narratives that are not commonly heard. Overlid also promotes engagement in the material through formats popular with elementary school students, such as graphic novels. “So it’s a format that kiddos love, and then it kind of sneaks in those stories to hook them into the history,” Overlid said.
Overlid recommends poetry books by Nikki Grimes, historical fiction, and books about activism, such as “Marley Dias Gets It Done: And So Can You!” “I feel like publishing is doing a great job of really finding people who made a difference in ways that, when I was little, we never learned about,” Overlid said.
The Berkeley Public Library is hosting many upcoming events to honor Black History Month, including an author talk with Oakland-based Angela Dalton, who wrote “To Boldly Go: How Nichelle Nichols and Star Trek Helped Advance Civil Rights,” as well as a writing workshop with Wendy M. Thompson, an Oakland-born author of the poetry collection “Black California Gold.” The library also organizes events targeted for a younger audience, such as A Valentine to Black Stories, a children’s book fair held at the Central Branch on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. Senior Librarian in the Children’s Department, Erica Dean Glenn, is planning a story time for Black History Month, to add to the many themed exhibits and book displays. “We’re always trying to amplify voices that are not heard and stories that have not been heard before,” Dean Glenn said.
The Berkeley Public Library suggests some recent young adult (YA) novels by Black authors, including “Ace of Spades” by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, a YA thriller about confronting institutionalized racism. Another recommendation for a Black History Month-related read is “Children of Blood and Bone” by Tomi Adeyemi, a fantasy inspired by West African culture. Stephanie Torres, a teen librarian at the library’s Central Branch, recommends “A Small Place” by Jamaica Kincaid and “Their Eyes Were Watching God” by Zora Neale Hurston. As for graphic novels, Adult Services Librarian Emily Joelle suggested “Girl on Fire” by Alicia Keys.
The Berkeley libraries aim to celebrate BHM by providing readers with books by Black authors, and about Black experiences and history. The libraries make an effort to engage the reader and encourage curiosity.