By Emma Bravard

Stocked on our shelves are stories from individuals and communities located all around the globe. They are stories that inspire greatness, encourage learning, bring new perspectives, amplify often unheard voices, and so much more between their pages. They gather here together in the Ames Public Library to show us the joy and connectedness that comes from us all sharing our lives, our skill, and our art with one another.

These stories do not just sit here in our collection holding their knowledge or keeping their glance into another’s world secret. Rather, they gather readers and community members from all walks of life and backgrounds to engage in the perspectives they share and come together as a community.

Our collections are not the only way that we are able to highlight voices and stories in our community and gather people together. We seek to create programming and collaborate with partners to create a place where stories can be shared in a variety of ways. They can be shared through formats such as song, dance, speech, artistry, or movement.

In the past, we have had the honor of featuring a variety speakers and programs that touch on a world of topics. We’ve had a speaker come and talk about how we all have our own individual stories to tell and how those stories hold power as well as events that dive into the issues we face together, such as our mental health discussions with NAMI. Together we can share in one another’s lives, cultures, art, and expressions in a way that builds us up as a community.

This month, we have a program that seeks to celebrate and create a space to share in art together as we gather to hear the voices of community members. On April 20th, the Ames Public Library will be hosting a Black Arts Festival to amplify and celebrate the artistic and cultural contributions of Black artists in our community.

The festival will be a day filled with the richness of both visual and performing art, including music performances, spoken word, artist’s talks, and dancing.  Emceed by Basi Affia—who you may recognize from his recent presentation of the “Power of Storytelling”—this event for all ages will also include a food truck to enjoy and vending tables from the featured artists as well as other community organizations. 

Come and join us at the library to celebrate art in our diverse community and support the individuals who create it!