A People’s History of Chicago was at the center of our One Book, One Oak Park series in 2018. In 77 poems, author Kevin Coval traces the city’s history through often untold perspectives, including African-American, Latinx, LGBTQ, and working-class experiences. Find it in the catalog » Poems that bridge time and place One thread running … Read more
As we head into fall and a new school year, we reflect on our visit with poet Kevin Coval, author of this summer’s One Book, One Oak Park selection. Coval joined us for an evening at the Main Library in June to read from his collection of poetry, A People’s History of Chicago, which honors the … Read more
“When children cannot find themselves reflected in the books they read … they learn a powerful lesson about how they are devalued in the society of which they are a part.” —Rudine Sims Bishop, “Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors” (1990) Bridging diversity gaps This spring, a new Children’s Services task force with diverse staff … Read more
The following One View, written by library Deputy Director Jim Madigan, was published in the May 23 edition of the Wednesday Journal. This past Christmas I was lucky enough to receive A People’s History of Chicago, a collection of poems by Kevin Coval. As I read through the book I found myself wanting to share poems with … Read more
