The University of Utah Libraries stand firm with the U’s senior leadership and the Association for Research Libraries in advancing an environment free of racism and oppression. Here are some book recommends and more can be found on the library’s anti-racism page.

From Anti-Racism Project’s list:

Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson

Tells the history of the Great Migration from the perspective of three individuals who experienced it firsthand, the reasons they left the American south, and what their lives were like in other parts of the U.S.

From Ibram X. Kendi’s list:

Fatal Invention by Dorothy Roberts

Expertly argues for recognizing race as a political system, instead of something biological, and explores what continuing to sort people by race means for the future of commerce, health, medical research, and daily life in this country.

From Coretta Scott King Book Awards list:

New Kid by Jerry Craft

Meet Jordan, a 7th grader who attends a new school where not many people look like him and who must learn what’s important to him as he navigates this new world. Love the artwork!

From Black Lives Matter Comic Book list:

MARCH by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin; Nate Powell artist

Offers a rich, first-hand telling of living in the Jim Crow south, coming-of-age during the Civil Rights Movement, and discovering a desire to care for others through leadership.

From Reading for Change fiction list:

The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead

A teenager’s life gets upended when he accepts a ride from a stranger on his way to fulfill his college dreams.

From Reading for Change non-fiction list:

How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi

Delve into the history of racism and its pernicious impacts while also exploring ways to act that uplift yourself and others.

Allyson Mower, Head of Scholarly Communication & Copyright, has recommended the books above. The resources listed can be found in our collection, as either print or ebooks. Additionally, if you have an address in Salt Lake County, the Salt Lake City Public Library has temporarily waived their address verification requirement making it easier to sign up for your library card.