In honor of Black History Month, I put together a list of quotes from books I have read or want to read. I was drawn to each author as I read the quotes. I hope you feel the same connections. Read one of these books online or check it out from the Library!

- Nadia, Librarian

What books are you reading for Black History Month?

Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

 “The caged bird sings with a fearful trill,
of things unknown, but longed for still,
and his tune is heard on the distant hill,
for the caged bird sings of freedom.” 

“Instead, pursue the things you love doing, and then do them so well that people can't take their eyes off you.”

Ta-Nehisi Coates, Between the World and Me

 “You are growing into consciousness, and my wish for you is that you feel no need to constrict yourself to make other people comfortable.” 

“I was made for the library, not the classroom. The classroom was a jail of other people’s interests. The library was open, unending, free.” 

Frederick Douglass,  Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave

“They love the heathen on the other side of the globe. They can pray for him, pay money to have the Bible put into his hand, and missionaries to instruct him; while they despise and totally neglect the heathen at their own doors. Such is, very briefly, my view of the religion of this land."

“I have sometimes thought that the mere hearing of those songs would do more to impress some minds with the horrible character of slavery, than the reading of whole volumes of philosophy on the subject could do.” 

Nikole Hannah-Jones, The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story

 “While history is what happened, it is also, just as important, how we think about what happened and what we unearth and choose to remember about what happened” 

“James Baldwin famously said, “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed unless it is faced.”  

Bell Hooks, All About Love

“To return to love, to get the love we always wanted but never had, to have the love we want but are not prepared to give, we seek romantic relationships. We believe these relationships, more than any other, will rescue and redeem us. True love does have the power to redeem but only if we are ready for redemption. Love saves us only if we want to be saved.”

“The practice of love offers no place of safety. We risk loss, hurt, pain. We risk being acted upon by forces outside our control.”

  Ida B. Wells-Barnett, Crusade for Justice: The Autobiography of Ida B. Wells   

“Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty, and it does seem to me that notwithstanding all these social agencies and activities there is not that vigilance which should be exercised in the preservation of our rights.” 

Anatomy TV provides interactive 3D models of human anatomy that can be rotated and labeled. It also includes media clips, animations, x-rays, and MRIs, as well as the following modules:

• 3D Atlas - Learn with 3D gross anatomy models and text. Watch a video about 3D Atlas.
• 3D Real-time - Build custom models of anatomy with access to a full contents of 3D structure to pick and choose from. Watch a video about 3D Real-time.
• Anatomy and Physiology - Learn the relationship of anatomical structure to function in systematic modules such as endocrine system, muscular system, and histology. Watch a video about Anatomy and Physiology.
• Functional Anatomy and Therapy - Learn about movement and exercise with 3D models, animations, movies, and text.
• Clinical Specialties - Access interactive models, animals, movies, slides, and models for specialties such as dental hygiene, chiropractic spine, and more.

Set up a personal profile to customize and create a dashboard with your favorites. Access 3D Real-time or Anatomy Quizzes from a phone or tablet.

If you have questions or need help with Anatomy TV, Ask a Librarian.

How Romantic Virtual Display

Are you looking for a story with a happy ending and a bit of personal growth? Take a break from the world and jump into a romantic book at the Lansing Community College Library. A collection of comedic and dramatic romances will be on display at the LCC Library throughout the month of February. Selections include contemporary fiction, young and new adult books, and literary classics, both in physical and electronic format.

The display is located on the second floor of the Technology and Learning Center building. Patrons may check out physical books at the Library Help Zone.

African Americans & Labor Virtual Display

The 2025 theme for Black History Month in the United States is “African Americans and Labor.” Black Americans have always been at the center of the labor movement in the United States. The efforts and victories of Black labor activists have shaped the lives of all working Americans for hundreds of years and continue to do so. Explore the history and future of racial and economic justice with this collection of physical and electronic books from the Lansing Community College Library. Selections include histories, biographies, and contemporary nonfiction.

Books are displayed on the second floor of the Technology and Learning Center. Patrons may check out books at the Library Help Zone.