February is Black History Month and we are highlighting our collection of databases and information to honor the lives and history that have shaped our country. The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), established in 1915 by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, known as the Founder of Black History, are the founders of Black History Month. What started as just a week-long observance of Black History called Negro History Week became the Black History Month celebrated today and the ASALH continues their work to promote, research, preserve, interpret and disseminate information about Black life, history and culture to the global community.
Each year, the ASALH selects a theme for Black History Month. The 2026 theme, A Century of Black History Commemorations, invites us to explore how commemorations of Black history and life have shaped the status and experiences of Black people in the modern world. Whether you are curious about history or researching for school, these databases contain historical timelines, articles, photographs and maps to support deeper exploration of the Black experience in America.
- Black Life in America is a primary source database that lets students explore the experiences, achievements and struggles of African Americans from 1704 to modern times. Using news reports from over 19,000 sources — including more than 400 Black publications — students can research topics such as slavery, segregation, civil rights, activism and major court cases. The database includes articles, photographs and documents that provide multiple perspectives on events, organizations and movements, making it an ideal starting point for projects on voting rights, education, social justice and the ongoing fight for equality in America.
- Covering more than 500 years of the African-American experience, the African-American History database offers a fresh way to explore the full spectrum of African-American history and culture. This database contains curriculum tools for students to learn about writing research papers, citing sources, evaluating sources and more. Use this database to browse famous speeches, view slavery and abolition documents, and read about landmark laws.
Interested in learning more? BCLS has curated resources into one place on our website under Black Studies, which includes interesting information about Black History in Burlington County.
Take the research to local museums and check out passes with your library card!
- African American Museum in Philadelphia is committed to telling the story of African Americans: family life, the Civil Rights movement, arts, entertainment, sports, medicine and more.
