Embark on a journey with us to better understand yourself and others. Take time this month to celebrate and learn about the histories, contributions, and current experiences of those around you.
The stories highlighted here act as windows into other cultures and mirrors of our own experiences. Source: By Rudine Sims Bishop, The Ohio State University. "Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors" originally appeared in Perspectives: Choosing and Using Books for the Classroom. Vo. 6, no. 3. Summer 1990.
Native American Heritage Month (November)
If you liked... the film The American Buffalo
This book list by the American Indian Library Association & PBS Books, highlights resources to further explore topics covered by the film.
Books Celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day
These books celebrate and honor indigenous American peoples and commemorate their histories and cultures.
Native American Heritage Month (Download or Stream)
Celebrate Native American Heritage Month by listening to these songs.
The American Buffalo by Ken Burns (DVD)
The dramatic story of America's national mammal, which sustained the lives of Native people for untold generations.
Native American Stories & Experiences (ebooks)
Discover stories about the lives and experiences of Indigenous Peoples of North America with Hoopla Digital.
Native American Heritage Month (eAudiobooks)
Explore this collection of classic and newer eAudiobooks about Native American stories for adults and children on Hoopla Digital.
Native American Heritage Studies (Streaming Movies)
Browse this collection of films honoring Native American culture and history on Kanopy PLUS.
Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks Now World Heritage Site
The Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks are Ohio’s first World Heritage Site and the 25th World Heritage Listing in the United States.
Of Maps and Mounds: So You Think you Know Westerville?
We used old surveying equipment to try and locate an indigenous peoples' mound found on an old handwritten map from 1935.
American Indian Youth Literature Award
The AIYLA identifies and honors the very best writing and illustrations by Native Americans and Indigenous peoples of North America.
Celebrate Native American Heritage Month (For Teens)
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with stories celebrating members of indigenous communities.
Celebrate Native American Heritage Month (Kids & Families)
Celebrate Native American Heritage Month with stories celebrating members of indigenous communities.
Learn 20+ Indigenous or Endangered Languages (Online Course)
From Cherokee to Dakota, learn how to speak a variety of Indigenous languages.
American Indian History
Explore the stories and culture of North America’s Native communities spanning over 15,000 years of history.
Mango Languages
Start a conversation. Or sixty. Choose from over 60 world languages including English language courses.
2023 Schedule of Celebrations
- February: Black History Month
- March: Women's History Month
- April: Celebrate Diversity Month
- May: Mental Health Awareness Month
- June: Juneteenth
- July: Disability Pride Month
- September: Hispanic Heritage Month
- November: Native American Heritage Month
2024 Schedule of Celebrations
- February: Black History Month
- March: Women's History Month
- April: National Deaf History Month
- May: Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month
- June: LGBTQ+ Pride Month
- July: Disability Pride Month
- September: Hispanic Latino Heritage Month
- November: Native American Heritage Month
Sarah Bond: A Legacy of Quiltmaking
Learn how Sarah Bond was inspired by the work of her foremothers and how it contributed to the evolution of her intricate, colorful style.
Diverse Voices in Health & Medicine: African/Black Americans
Recommended health topics for African Americans / Black Americans by Diverse Voices in Health & Medicine Collection Development Project.
Afrofuturism (Download or Stream)
Look to the future, at the intersection of Black culture and science fiction, with this collection of books, comics, and films on Hoopla.
WCS African American Read-In 2023: Recommended Books
Celebrate Black History Month with recommendations by librarians from the Westerville Public Library! Geared towards K-3.
About This Initiative
The Westerville Public Library’s intention with this initiative is to reflect our diverse community, encourage acceptance, promote respect, expand understanding, amplify a wide range of voices, and energize community conversations. Suggestions for future celebrations welcome.Â
Heritage in this context is intended to encompass the people, places, and things that have been passed down from generation to generation.
Westerville Voices
Turning up the volume on unheard voices in our community to foster empathy & understanding.
Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging (online course)
Explore this belonging approach, and discover how to activate it in your organization.
CultureGrams
Discover cultures of the world. Go beyond the basic facts and figures with local perspectives on more than 200 countries
Unconscious Bias (online course)
Founder/CEO of Rework Work Stacey Gordon reveals the most common forms of unconscious bias and teaches skills to effectively address them.
Erin H.
Erin is a Victorian romance girl, through and through.
Mindy B.
Mindy will always bring a smile to your face, even when she's concentrating on finding hard-to-get-your-hands-on books and journal articles.
Thomas S.
Fun and friendly, Thomas is often out-and-about, bringing entertainment and energy to community events around Westerville.
Aneeza P.
Aneeza is curious about people, cultures, communities, and social and organizational structures.
