by Sheila Schofer

We want every member of the community to feel like they are welcome at Ames Public Library. It seems so simple, but there is a lot that goes into a sense of belonging—understanding what it means to truly be seen, understood, welcomed and celebrated.

I, along with library staff, have been learning from some amazing speakers about creating an antiracist culture, equity in hiring and recruitment, strategies for inclusive programs and service, and even white supremacy characteristics that are often entrenched in workplace culture. This is an ongoing reflective and collaborative process, but there are always opportunities to foster community and belonging.

One such opportunity is the upcoming Juneteenth Celebration organized by the Ames Branch of the NAACP and community partners. Although it’s only recently become a national holiday, Juneteenth has been celebrated for over 150 years to recognize freedom, persistence, resistance, and also resourcefulness, black culture, and joy.

Ames Public Library is proud to join the Ames/Story County community celebration of Juneteenth in a range of activities centering black culture and joy:

• All month the library will host an exhibit by artist Cameron Gray highlighting his Black’d Out Books project.
   
• Louisa Jagger, author of “Sprouting Wings: The True Story of James Herman Banning,” will visit the Library June 16 at 4pm to share stories she learned as she researched Banning's time as an engineering student and aviator in Ames, Iowa.
   
• June 16 at 8pm in Roosevelt Park there will be a free showing of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
   
• June 17 at 10am the Mayor and City Council will host a dedication ceremony and reception for the renaming of the James Herman Banning Ames Municipal Airport.  
   
• Activities at Bandshell Park will start at 12pm June 17 with live music, vendors, food trucks, Bookmobile, arts and crafts, face painting and more, including a special play about James Banning at 2pm.

These events are free and all are welcome, so come out and celebrate your community!

You can learn more about the history and celebration of Juneteenth with books like:

• “On Juneteenth” by Annette Gordon-Reed
• “Juneteenth” by Kevin P Winn
• “Free at Last: a Juneteenth poem” by Sojourner Kincaid-Rolle
• “Juneteenth for Mazie” by Floyd Cooper

Plus check out the thousands of books, music, and movies by black creators available at the Ames Public Library