The African American Cultural Center Library Reflections on Libraries as Spaces of Opportunity

“The library is an arena of possibility, opening both a window into the soul and a door onto the world.” – Rita Dove

“Storytelling is how we survive, when there’s no feed, the story feeds something, it feeds the spirit, the imagination. I can’t imagine life without stories, stories from my parents, my culture. Stories from other people’s parents, their culture. That’s how we learn from each other, it’s the best way. That’s why literature is so important, it connects us heart to heart.” – Alice Walker

     National library week is a time to celebrate the impact that libraries have on communities, celebration of library workers, and a time to encourage lifelong learning, curiosity, and engagement with all the world has to offer through access to reading and resources. The African American Cultural Center had our inaugural celebration of National Library week in 2025 with Black Book Talks, A special edition of our newsletter highlighting our library, library team, spaces and resources, tabling at Special Collections Research Centers open house with Shaw University’s John H. Fleming Collection. Everyone who visited the library that week also received a patron appreciation gift with library swag and a commemorative coaster. Due to the success and interest from the community in celebrating libraries and in order to uplift the expansive and evolving role of the African American Cultural Center Library, Celebrations of National Library Week at hosted by the African American Cultural Center Library is now our newest signature event that will be celebrated annually with a different theme each year!

     Our theme this year, ‘Libraries as Spaces of Opportunity’ seeks to uplift all the ways that libraries can be used to encourage and support development and exploration of not only careers, skills, and disciplines of academia, but also of one’s soul, heritage, and future dreaming. Libraries are non judgemental spaces to evolve and try new things and this certainly is true of the African American Cultural Center Library. Since last year, we have added a book nook and reading couch so that there is a cozy space to read, game, rest, and recharge. We have revamped the Interfaith Prayer and Meditation Room, placed a white board table to the librarians office to support research consultations, added a Nintendo Switch 2 to the growing technology library for students to see themselves represented in the gaming world and to promote creativity and adventure. We have also hosted a record number of events and engaged with many outreach activities over the year to welcome the whole campus community into the African American Cultural Center Library and invite all to use our spaces, resources and engage with our rich collection celebrating African American and Afro diasporic experiences cultura, history and literature. 

     This year’s theme highlights libraries as spaces where the past, present, and future converge to create opportunities for development and exploration. Read on to see what Libraries as spaces of opportunity mean to the current African American Cultural Center Library library assistants!

Amaya Squirewell

Libraries as a space of opportunity” means to me that there is always something for everyone. Working as a library assistant has shown me numerous opportunities for different interests, hobbies, and personalities. Whether it be gaming, research, history, etc. the library has opened many opportunities for myself and has also broadened my horizon and knowledge, especially opportunities here at NC State.

Kameron Simpson

I think of libraries as important places of opportunity because of the various ways they cater to the needs of the community. A library to me is a place to learn, relax, and commune all at the same time, with these attributes working together to encourage and welcome growth to anyone who may seek it.

Kyla Griffin

Libraries have always represented knowledge to me. Knowledge about culture, history, and things that don’t exist. Knowledge that brings about intellectual and social transformation. And knowledge that reminds us of the past, so that we don’t repeat it, and encourages us to hope for a different kind of future. I love learning and libraries have provided me opportunities to learn about a wide array of topics. In my pursuit of knowledge, libraries have become a place of transformation where every book that I read gives me a new perspective, challenges my beliefs, or encourages me to ask better questions.

Elise Taylor

To me, libraries give people the opportunity to learn something new and explore different perspectives. They are spaces where curiosity is encouraged and where anyone can access information, ideas, and stories from many different backgrounds. Libraries hold a plethora of knowledge that is waiting to be discovered, whether someone is looking for academic resources, cultural history, or simply something that sparks their interest. 

Dawnelle Chandler

I see the library as a crucial part of our campus community. It’s a unique space where I can work on my own things while still feeling connected to my peers. It’s a place where I find both the solitude I need for my studies and the community I value when I’m taking a break or catching up with friends.

Ellie Dela Cruz

To me, libraries represent a place of peace and knowledge. Libraries are a great place to learn, explore, focus, or spend time with friends!

We invite the whole campus community to join us in celebrating National Library Week with the AACC!