INDIANAPOLIS — A total of 150 libraries in 60 Indiana counties received grants to add more materials about racial injustice in America to their collections.
The "Indiana Humanities' Advancing Racial Equity Collection Development Grants" sought to help libraries, schools, universities, and nonprofits across the state that were overwhelmed with the high number of requests for books and films being sought after by their communities.
According to Indiana Humanities, library members were facing long wait times for the most popular books and other resources related to racial equity. This, all in the wake of George Floyd's death.
“It is encouraging to know that so many Hoosiers have turned to literature, history, commentary, and other products of the humanities to wrestle with the systemic racism facing our nation,” Keira Amstutz, the president and CEO of Indiana Humanities, said.
The grants to each institution ranged from $290 to $1,000, all funded by "Lilly Endowment Inc." Lilly provided Indiana Humanities with a donation of $135,264 to distribute amongst the recipients. Lily also added $140,00 for all of the Indianapolis Public Library branches to have more material as well.
“We’re grateful to Lilly Endowment for recognizing this need and providing us with funds to help our state’s libraries address this demand and equip Indiana residents with additional resources that can catalyze and contextualize our conversations," Amstutz said.
All grant recipients applied for the money they are receiving. Indiana Humanities, with the help of the Indianapolis Public Library, the Central Indiana Community Foundation, and Booklist, developed a list of digital or physical resources addressing systemic racism, inequitable policing, and protests.
Click here for a list of recipients and more information.
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