Exploration of young adult books, movies and music that addresses policing and protest.
Each week we'll highlight excellent and powerful underrepresented voices who share stories allowing us all to challenge our own biases and understanding; showing there is not one single story, but rather a beautiful tapestry of many.
Visit the Cedar Rapids Public Library's Website for more information about the Read Woke movement and it's founder, Cicely Lewis. Register for the online Read Woke Challenge to log your minutes. This virtual program and other virtual programs held by the Library can be viewed at anytime on the Library's Youtube Channel. You can also visit the Library's Facebook page for these same programs, as well as updates to the Library's programs and services.
September 2 - An Introduction to Read Woke
September 9 - Baby and Children Zoom Book Discussion- Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry
September 16 - Welcoming New Neighbors from Far and Wide
September 23 - Raising Woke!-Board Books and Children's Picture Books
September 30 - Author Interview with Satish Jayaraj
October 7 - The Center for Afrofuturism Recommends
October 14 - YA Zoom Book Discussion Dear Justyce by Nic Stone
October 21 - Seeing Yourself in the Story
October 28 - Policing and Protest- Teen
November 4 - Indigenous American Voices
November 11 - Adult Zoom Book Discussion How to be an Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi
November 18 - Recommended Book List Generator (all ages!)
November 25 - Cook Woke; exploring our culture through cuisine
December 2 - The Culture of Incarceration and Returning Citizens
Only Zoom Book Discussions require registration.
The Downtown Library is located at 450 5th Avenue SE, in the heart of Downtown Cedar Rapids. It is a 94,000 square foot building with a variety of civic spaces and a vibrant collection of library materials. Special features of this location are the Whipple Auditorium, a 200 seat auditorium overlooking Greene Square; and the LivingLearning Roof, a green roof with public seating and space to hold special events. Roasters Café is located in the Downtown Library, providing a full service coffee shop for visitors, as well as catering for meetings and special events.