The Troy Public Library was the host site for the 2017 African-American Read-in the last two weeks of February. The Troy Chapter of the National Council of Teacher of English and Dr. Patricia Waters’ Young Adult Literature class at Troy  University participated.

Twenty-seven of Waters’ students were the readers for the annual Black History Month event.

The read-in concluded on Tuesday with a large number of children and university students participating.

Teresa Colvin, TPL children’s director, said the National Council of Teachers of English Black Caucus held the first African-American Read-In in 1990.

“The purpose of the read-in was to emphasize black writer’s contributions to American literature,” Colvin said. “The African-American Read-In continues to be a great way to introduce children to books and poems by African-American authors and it also highlights the importance of literacy.”

Colvin said the Troy Public Library is proud to be the host site for the annual African-American Read-In and to have the opportunity to introduce young readers to the African-American writers.

“The library has an outstanding collection of reading materials by African-American writers and for all ages,” she said. “Having university students read to and with our young readers is an encouragement for them to read. They are excited to have the college students read to them and they begin to better understand the importance of reading.”

Colvin said Black History Month is a time to highlight African American history but it’s also a time to explore and celebrate the diversity in American literature.

“We have a large number of outstanding African-American authors,” she said.

“Many books are written about African-Americans in everyday life as well as historical figures. The African-American Read-In is an opportunity to gain a better understanding of ourselves, of others and the world around us.”