The past week has been a trying time for our country, and for our community. We know that many of our families, friends, colleagues and leaders are struggling with feelings of fear, sadness and frustration in the week since Mr. George Floyd was killed by a Minneapolis police officer.

As an organization, Orange County Library System firmly opposes hatred, racism and intolerance. We do not condone violence of any kind, and we condemn the actions that led to Mr. Floyd’s death. As a library system, we feel it’s our role to use our resources to bring our community together. We have long been committed to creating an inclusive environment for our community, and that commitment has only been strengthened by this tragedy.

We urge our community to peacefully stand united against racism. And below, we highlight materials from our collection that can help promote better understanding and compassion for all.

Our Read to Understand Catalog List features titles from classic and contemporary Black authors on the subjects of race, identity, and social justice, as well as titles that are meant to help build your empathy muscle.

The Virtual Book Display: A Community in Pain tackles the subjects of racial inequality and social justice head-on with selections from contemporary authors who offer personal insights and ways to combat systemic racism. 

The art of film is a powerful tool in education and building understanding as well. The Social and Systemic Injustice collection on Kanopy highlights countless stories that document the long history of systemic racism in America.