Read Black History for Free in 2023

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Reading Your Way Through Black History Month

1. Haymarket Books: This Chicago-based publisher is fighting book bans by making several ebooks about the Black Lives Matter Movement, Black Liberation, and Black history free for everyone. They are reaching out to readers in Florida in particular, but this program is open to all. Learn more here.
2. Chicago Review of Books: The editorial staff at the Chicago Review of Books has assembled a list of 28 books that you can read online for Black History Month. The list has lots of newer and lesser known books, so if you are hoping to branch out of the well-known classics, this is the list for you. Check it out here.
3. Hindi's Libraries: This nonprofit has partnered with DHL to make books available to readers across the country. The catch is that they don't send these books to individual readers. However, if you are trying to get books for your local nonprofit or Title 1 school, this is the perfect opportunity for you! Learn more here.
4. Local Libraries: Many local libraries highlight books around certain themes. During February, many libraries like the San Antonio Public Library are compiling reading lists about the history of Black Americans. Check to see if your local library is doing something like this!
5. Online eBook Libraries: Did you know there are libraries that are 100% online? Some of the most comprehensive ones include Internet Archive, Open Library, and Project Gutenburg, but if you flip through the resource section of this website, you'll find information for an assortment of others.
6. Online Audiobook Libraries: You'll also find online audiobook libraries. While both the online audiobook and ebook libraries will have stronger representation from the classics, you can find books by famous authors like Willa Cather, James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, and others. LibriVox and the Internet Archive are good places to start, but you'll find a list of audiobook libraries in the resource section of this website.

Sources

• “A Nonprofit Organization Is Giving out Free Books throughout Black History Month.” Kagstv.com, 2023, www.kagstv.com/article/news/local/black-history/hindis-libraries-is-giving-out-free-books-throughout-black-history-month/499-16b224eb-ca2e-4a68-a25e-80b0e66dee35. Accessed 9 Feb. 2023.
• Community. “Haymarket Book Publisher Offering Free EBooks on Black History.” BOOK RIOT, 8 Feb. 2023, bookriot.com/haymarket-book-publisher-offering-free-ebooks-on-black-history/. Accessed 9 Feb. 2023.
• February 2 2023, Haymarket Books /. “Defend Black History, Defend Black Lives.” Haymarketbooks.org, www.haymarketbooks.org/blogs/480-defend-black-history-defend-black-lives. Accessed 9 Feb. 2023.
• Internet Archive. “Internet Archive.” Archive.org, 2016, archive.org/.
• “LibriVox.” LibriVox, 2019, librivox.org/.
• OpenLibrary.org. “Welcome to Open Library | Open Library.” Openlibrary.org, 2017, openlibrary.org/.
• “Project Gutenberg.” Project Gutenberg, 2019, www.gutenberg.org/.
• Staff, Editorial. “28 Stories You Can Read Online for Black History Month.” Chicago Review of Books, 1 Feb. 2021, chireviewofbooks.com/2021/02/01/28-stories-you-can-read-online-for-black-history-month/. Accessed 9 Feb. 2023.
• Wilson, Kolten Parker, Andrew. “16 Books about Black History You Can Read for Free from the San Antonio Public Library.” KSAT, 10 Feb. 2021, www.ksat.com/news/local/2021/02/10/16-books-about-black-history-you-can-read-for-free-from-the-san-antonio-public-library/. Accessed 9 Feb. 2023.

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