SWAMPSCOTT — The Swampscott Public Library has partnered with a local community group to put the focus on tackling systemic racism.
The town’s library and S.U.R.E. (Swampscott Unites, Respects & Embraces diversity) are spearheading a year-long project dubbed One Topic One Town: A Journey Towards Dismantling Racism.
The initiative kicked off this month with a town-wide read — five books about racism have been selected for patrons, who can choose which titles they want to read.
Multiple books focused on racism will be available for checkout each month in an effort to try to tap into different interests. The initiative will also include book discussions, speakers, movies, history, podcasts and presentations, which will be virtual for now, according to Library Director Alyce Deveau.
“(With) what’s going on in the world and what’s going in the whole country, we felt it (racism) was a need that had to be addressed,” said Deveau. “We call it more of a journey. We’re not going to get there, but hopefully it’s a journey towards it.”
Deveau said the library was also interested in building on the town government’s focus on addressing systemic racism. In addition to the new project, library staff has been trained on how to deal with racism, she said.
The goal of One Topic One Town is “not only to raise awareness about systemic racism in society, but to take a look at ourselves, at our history and to elevate the voices of our brothers and sisters of color,” according to a library press release.
“I hope people will get an appreciation of how other people live, what they’ve gone through and how they’ve managed to get through it and hopefully just more respect for each other,” said Deveau.
This month several copies of the following books will be available for checkout in-person and online: “Just Mercy” by Bryan Stevenson, “How to be an Antiracist” by Ibram X. Kendi, “Underground Railroad” by Colson Whitehead, “Homegoing” by Yaa Gyasi, and Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry” by Mildred D. Taylor.