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President Abraham Lincoln, in his Emancipation Proclamation, declared, “…all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State… shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free…”

The Lincoln Memorial Shrine, the Civil War museum and research center in Redlands under the auspices of A.K. Smiley Public Library, recently installed an insightful and poignant exhibit in its west wing, “…that All Men are Created Equal: Slavery in America.” Though not normally open on Mondays, we invite you to visit The Shrine and reflect on this exhibit and others this Presidents’ Day, Monday, Feb. 17, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

In our continuing observance of African American Heritage Month, in complement to this special exhibit, we will highlight here some of our new non-fiction acquisitions discussing the painful topic of enslavement of others and its legacy of continuing generational damage, challenging what it means to be ‘free.’

“I Am Nobody’s Slave: How Uncovering My Family’s History Set Me Free,” by 2022 Pulitzer Prize finalist and former Wall Street Journal writer Lee Hawkins. Researching his ancestors in-depth, Hawkins looks to them for answers, spurred on by the nightmares he began experiencing in his 40s. He identifies the inheritance of violence-and resilience-that has followed his family in every generation since enslavement.

“In Slavery’s Wake: Making Black Freedom in the World” is a collection of essays by key historians and scholars, provided by The National Museum of African American History and Culture. It is a companion book to an extensive exhibition of the museum, providing 150 illustrations of people and objects, framing the history of slavery in a global context. Discussing contemporary echoes of slavery, the authors also demonstrate how those affected have asserted and are asserting their humanity and their right to equal freedoms.

“A Plausible Man: The True Story of the Escaped Slave Who Inspired Uncle Tom’s Cabin” is authored by Susanna Ashton, a professor of English and an expert on slavery and freedom narratives. Ashton painstakingly combed obscure records to find John Andrew Jackson, a fugitive slave who was hidden by Harriet Beecher Stowe one night and inspired her novel, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” which is thought to have sparked the United States Civil War. His story takes us through nineteenth-century America: the war, Reconstruction, and the restoration of white supremacy.

Additional related titles include:

“Nat Turner, Black Prophet: A Visionary History,” 1800? – 1831, by late historian Anthony E. Kaye and collaborator Gregory P. Downs

“A Passionate Mind in Relentless Pursuit: The Vision of Mary McLeod Bethune,” 1875-1955, by Noliwe Rooks

“We Refuse: A Forceful History of Black Resistance,” by Kellie Carter Jackson

“Galveston’s Juneteenth Story: and Still We Rise,” by Tommie D. Boudreaux and the Galveston Historical Foundation

“Slavery After Slavery: Revealing the Legacy of Forced Child Apprenticeships on Black Families, from Emancipation to the Present,” by Mary Frances Berry

Look for these books and more on our ‘New Book’ shelves, or on our Black History Month display in the Library.

Hello library users! February is African American History month! As all voices deserve a chance to be heard, here are some authors you may not have come across before but whose works leave a lasting impact.

Tricia Hersey’s latest work is “We Will Rest: The Art of Escape” which is the second of her ‘rest is resistance’ series. Today’s culture tends to be one of constant production, while Hersey sings the praises of rest. The work focuses on the fact that rest is not earned through labor but it is a right of all who exist. Resting is not only a way to honor ourselves but as an act of rebellion against a society that has taught us that our only value is in production. Hersey strives to reawaken our own connections to our own bodies as not just a tool for capitalism. Using prose and wood prints, Hersey shows that a higher plane of existence can be found in our own bed or couch.

You’ve heard of activists like Malcolm X, Thurgood Marshall, and Marcus Garvey, but what about Ella Baker, Barbara Johns, and Darnella Frazier? In Rita Omokha’s new work, “Resist: How a Century of Young, Black Activists Shaped America,” a light is shone on those activists that history has typically glossed over. The book maps out how these young people have affected not just their local communities but the country at large. Omokha is able to ground her narrative in her own experiences having traveled to over thirty states in thirty days and seeing how violence has affected these communities up close. The work is a reminder that even the youngest amongst us has a right to be heard.

Freda Epum is looking for home in her latest work, “The Gloomy Girl Variety Show.” She straddles the country of her parents and the country of her birth but never quite lands in either. Her belonging is further exacerbated by her mental disorders. Finding solace in the shows of HGTV and YouTube tours of apartments, Epum searches for her own place of belonging. Working with the literary tradition of autotheory and poetry, Epum delves within herself and into society as a whole. Art intersperses the work giving the readers another layer into the author’s mind and her journey to home.

“Between the Night and Its Music” is a compilation by the revered A.B. Spellman. Spellman is an author who came to prominence in the 1960’s and 70’s and who after a hiatus resumed his work in the 2000’s. The work features poems written before and after this break and shows how Spellman has evolved as a writer. The work displays Spellman’s love of music, specifically Jazz and Blues and has a distinct musicality. Spellman’s contemporary work is just as impactful as his earlier work and shows how he solidified his place as a component of the Black Arts Movement.

Happy African American History Month and remember that the library is for everybody!

A.K. Smiley Public Library currently has several new biographies to choose from, with more coming soon. Selections include presidents, scientists, military and international leaders, civil rights activists, entertainers, artists, sports figures, and others.

Presidents:

Scientists:

Military and international leaders:

Civil rights activists:

Entertainers:

Teens, you didn’t ask, but one of my favorite quotes is by playwright Anton Chekhov: “Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.” It gives me shivers! I’m not even a fan of Anton Chekhov (apologies to Anton’s estate), but as someone who loves to read and sometimes enjoys writing, I find myself staring at those glinting shards and considering the magic of good writing.

If this is something that also gives you shivers (a.k.a. you enjoy writing, thinking about ways to make your writing glint, and/or staring at broken glass), I have good news. We’re starting a teen writers’ club at A.K. Smiley Public Library in February and we would love for you to join us. What is the name of this club? I don’t know. What will we do at this club? I don’t know. Is it even a club? I don’t know. This is a brand-new club, and the beauty of brand-new clubs is they can be anything we want them to be. They can even NOT be a club!

Have I enticed you yet, teen writers? Has telling you absolutely nothing piqued your interest? Then come help us figure ourselves out! Our first meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 11, from 7:30-8:30pm, in the Teen Underground (the lower level at A.K. Smiley Public Library).

In the meantime, if you are looking for ways to electrify your writing, you may wish to check out the following Young Adult nonfiction titles, all, of course, available from the Teen Underground area at A.K. Smiley Public Library.

“Seize the Story: A Handbook for Teens Who Like to Write” by Victoria Hanley offers helpful tips on the writing process, from character development to spiffing up your final draft. As I was thumbing through this book, I read all of the author’s advice and immediately threw this whole article in the trash and rewrote it. Did I do a good job? You will only know if you check out this book.

“Dare to Write: Creative Writing Prompts for Young People and Word Rebels Everywhere” by Kristen Fogle delivers what the title promises…so many fun ideas to get your ideas and writing flowing. The book is organized by genre, and readers are invited to jump around. There are character worksheets, scene-setting prompts, dialog tools, and so much more, including what the author calls “story starts,” like this one: “She didn’t start the fire. But she knew who did…” This book may or may not show up at our first teen writers’ club meeting.

If you’re already an established teen writer (I know you’re out there!), you may want to take a look at “Writer’s Market,” found in the Adult Nonfiction and Reference sections of the library. This book is a comprehensive guide to getting your work published, including thousands of updated listings for book publishers, magazines, contests, literary agents, and more. There’s even a book dedicated just to writing for kids called “Children’s Writer’s and Illustrator’s Market,” if writing for young people is more your vibe. Definitely study these titles and put yourself out there if this is your dream! Of course, you will be expected to dedicate your first book to me, but that seems a small price to pay.

Well, teen writers, I hope I have somehow convinced you to join our brand-new teen writers’ club (which may not be a club), in spite of providing you zero compelling evidence about why you should. While I can’t promise there will be any broken glass, there will definitely be a playful spirit of creativity, support, and self-expression while offering space to share ideas and projects. I leave you with the words of poet (and genius) Emily Dickinson, which can be applied to writing your own truth.

Tell all the truth but tell it slant—

Success in Circuit lies

Too bright for our infirm Delight

The Truth’s superb Surprise

As Lightning to the Children eased

With explanation kind

The Truth must dazzle gradually

Or every man be blind—

Emily Dickinson

Kristina Naftzger is a Youth Services Librarian at A.K. Smiley Public Library. Some days she finds writing fun. Other days, she finds it torture. She finds Emily Dickinson a genius every day.

In 2025, A.K. Smiley Public Library is excited to explore the possibility of introducing a seed library to better serve our patrons and enrich the area. A seed library, at its core, is a collection of seeds that patrons can “borrow” to grow in their own gardens.  The concept is simple but can be profoundly impactful, blending education, sustainability, and community engagement in a single initiative.

The environmental benefits of a seed library are significant. By encouraging local gardening and reducing reliance on commercially packaged seeds, which often travel long distances, we can promote sustainability. Offering seeds suitable for our region helps gardeners grow plants that thrive in the climate of Southern California while supporting pollinators and biodiversity. Additionally, a seed library opens the door to learning opportunities for all ages. Programs on gardening basics, composting, and native plants can empower our patrons to develop new skills and deepen their connection to nature. Children in particular can benefit from hands-on activities that teach them where their food comes from and the importance of caring for the environment.

Beyond environmental and educational value, a seed library can bring people together in other meaningful ways. By creating a space where gardeners – from beginner to expert – can exchange seeds, tips, and stories, the library continues to be a hub for shared knowledge and collaboration. Seed swaps, gardening clubs, and workshops in town can all stem from this initiative, fostering a sense of community that extends beyond the walls of the library.

Taking our collection in bold new directions also highlights the evolving role of public libraries – we’re not just places for books but centers for lifelong learning. A seed library perfectly aligns with our mission to provide access to both resources and information, demonstrating how libraries can adapt to the changing needs of the people we serve.

The process of using a seed library is straightforward. Patrons borrow seeds, plant them, and if possible, save seeds from their harvest to return to the library. Even those unable to save seeds can participate, as the library will maintain a stock through donations and partnerships with local organizations.

As we move forward with this idea in 2025, we’ll be seeking input and feedback from our patrons to shape our seed library to meet local needs and wants. Stay tuned for updates and opportunities to get involved as we look forward to sowing the seeds for a greener, more connected future.

~ Principal Librarian Ted Conable