Library Grant Announcement

Healing Illinois Library Resource Grant

The Edwardsville Community Foundation (ECF) has received a $3200.00 Healing Illinois Library Resource Grant to support local libraries and schools in their efforts to teach children and adults about racial differences through books. This grant is made possible by the Southern Illinois Community Foundation, the Healing Illinois Initiative (The Illinois DHS) and the Chicago Community Trust. The Edwardsville Community Foundation will grant these funds to area libraries and schools in District 7 or Madison County.

Apply at www.edwcf.org/grants Funds must be used by 6/30/2021

When you apply, your library or school will request $400 or $600 (for children and adults) to purchase books and for staff to plan and facilitate opportunities for your community to read these books to children or use for adult reading clubs/challenges etc.

Books Suggestions for Children:

· Drawn Together, written by Minh Lê and illustrated by Dan Santat

· Hair Love, written by Mathew A. Cherry and illustrated by Vashti Harrison

· Shades of People, Shelley Rotner and Shiela M. Kelly

· We're Different, We're the Same (Sesame Street), written by Bobbi Kates & Joe Mathieu

· Different is Good: A Cute Children's Picture Book about Racism & Diversity to help Teach your Kids Equality and Kindness, written by Rebecca J. Jackson and Phelan Good.

· Carmela Full of Wishes, written by Matt de la Peña and Christian Robinson

· Together We Stand Against Racism: Black Lives Matter, written by Sonja Smith

Book Suggestions for high school age and adults (purchase 10 copies each to facilitate group discussions):

· The Fire Next Time, by James Baldwin

· Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man, by Emmanuel Acho

· The House on Mango Street, by Sandra Cisnero

· Between the World and Me, by Ta-Nehisi Coates

· Inside Out and Back Again, by Thanhha Lai

· The Warmth of Other Suns, by Isabel Wilkerson

· White Fragility: Why its Hard for White People to Talk About Racism, written by Robin D’Angelo

These books can be included in the titles for “reading time”, book clubs, writing workshops or a book challenge. They will stay on your shelves for more people to read them in the future. This healing initiative is encouraging libraries and schools to create other fun activities using books (and braille) to teach children about racial differences. Feel free to design any activity that you see fit for your community, following COVID guidelines and keeping to the Healing Illinois” meaning.