The Exhibition Program

The George A. Smathers Libraries have an active exhibition program that shares, interprets, and promotes the collections. Exhibits support and enhance the Libraries’ role as an intellectual center of the university.

Now on view

Smathers Gallery

Pura Belpré, Bringing Boricua Stories to the Bookshelf

Pura Teresa Belpré made significant contributions to librarianship and children’s literature through her 40+ years of activism as a writer, scholar, and the first Black Puerto Rican librarian for the New York Public Libraries (NYPL). Belpré believed in the universality of childhood and dedicated herself to serving children from Puerto Rican and BIPOC (Black Indigenous People of Color) communities. It is crucial to look at her legacy, as her activism is one that many can learn from and is still relevant to the present day. Curated by Katiana Bagué with assistance from Lourdes Santamaría-Wheeler & Dr. Ramona Caponegro.

Pura Belpré performing a story in front of a group of children

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