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Brooklyn library offers library card honoring Black Americans

Juneteenth is nearly two weeks away but a Bed-Stuy library is getting a head start by releasing its special edition library card focused on Black culture.

News 12 Staff

Jun 10, 2021, 12:14 AM

Updated 1,274 days ago

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Juneteenth is nearly two weeks away but a Bed-Stuy library is getting a head start by releasing its special edition library card focused on Black culture.
Jneyde Williams' artwork was unveiled at the Macon Library branch and will soon be plastered on thousands of library cards across Brooklyn.
The design was selected out of hundreds and celebrates Black history. It comes nearing the first time New York City will officially recognize Juneteenth as a holiday.
"The reaction of young Black and brown kids like wow, this is the first holiday and I get to have with people that look like me, I'm just speechless," said Williams.
The art ties inspiration from the 1986 Memphis civil rights protest to prominent historical features like Jackie Robinson and Shirley Chisolm. But it also adds a piece from the 21-year-old's life.
"I wanted to add the culture of New York, there were people yelling and dancing," said Williams.
Another reason for the unveiling of the library card is to not only draw attention to the branch, which has been in existence for more than a century, but to draw attention to the newly renovated African American Center - a space dedicated to literature of Black artists.
The Black American Heritage Cards will be at all Brooklyn public libraries on June 21.