News, Arts and Culture from WFIU Public Radio and WTIU Public Television
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Libraries Getting Money For Materials On Racial Injustice

Under the approved House Bill 1447 school districts and charter schools are required to establish a procedure to allow parents and community members to file challenges to books they believe to be inappropriate.
Under the approved House Bill 1447 school districts and charter schools are required to establish a procedure to allow parents and community members to file challenges to books they believe to be inappropriate.

Libraries, schools, universities and nonprofits across Indiana are receiving grants to add books, digital materials and films addressing racial injustice in America.

The grants, ranging from $290 to $1,000, will go to 150 recipients in 60 counties to allow them to meet higher demand for materials.

The project was possible with $134,000 from Lilly Endowment Inc. The endowment also awarded $140,000 to the Indianapolis Public Library to purchase titles for libraries within its system.

After the death of George Floyd by police and the ensuing protests, many libraries were overwhelmed by requests for materials. Library patrons faced long wait times for the most popular materials related to racial equity, Indiana Humanities said.