Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover

This year, the province of Alberta officially recognized February as Black History Month for the first time. In honour and celebration of Black History Month, University of Alberta Libraries (UAL) is holding an event to showcase and amplify black voices, experiences, and lives.

From Monday, Feb. 13 to Friday, Feb. 24 “Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover” displays will be available at Rutherford, Cameron, and Coutts libraries on North Campus, as well as at Bibliothèque Saint-Jean and Augustana. All books included (over 250!) are either by black writers or about significant people, historical events, or movements. Works by and about black Canadians are also featured. They cover a wide variety of genres, styles, and topics, and include modern works and established classics. Some brand new titles specifically ordered for the event are available!

Unlike our typical library displays, you’ll notice that these books are wrapped in brown paper. This is to acknowledge the historic invisibility of black voices and experiences, expose our university community to new stories and perspectives, and encourage readers to explore the diversity of our library collections.

Keywords on the wrapping will help you select your book of choice. Once you pick a book, take it to the library’s Service Desk to check it out. Unwrap your selection when you’re ready to read and return it to the library once you’re finished.



For those who cannot engage with print material, a list of ebooks and other online sources is available HERE. A list of all books featured in this event will be published after the event has ended.

Participate in “Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover” and you can enter to win three brand new books from the event’s master list! Details on how to enter are available at the displays or you can enter HERE.