Black Women's History Month may be winding down, but honoring the voices and achievements of black women in our community and our world doesn't end when April's over. As always, the Library is your go-to place for great books and movies on important topics like black women's history. For your fiction and nonfiction reading pleasure, we've compiled a list of recent titles by or about strong black women who have changed the world.

It's hard to believe it'll be early May soon, which means the May 8 Primary Election is just around the corner. That day, Monroe County voters decide, among other things, who faces off in the November General Election as candidates for US Senator and US Representative, as well as for offices like Judge, Sheriff, and Commissioner at the County level—and even Township-level offices. Read more about Less Than a Month Until Primary Election Day—Are You Prepared?

As part of National Poetry Month, local writers of verse are needed to help the Library promote the appreciation of this timeless art form in our community—and find new audiences for their own work. Throughout April, the Library is accepting submissions of original poetry (see guidelines below); selected poems will be loaded into a poem-dispensing machine for printing and enjoyment by visitors to the Main Library this summer.

How to submit: Read more about Rhymers, Lyricists & Troubadours: Submit Your Poetry This Month

Ask anybody: between our vision of an inclusive, engaged community and the value we place on respect and service, the Library's the friendliest place in town. Just recently, in fact, we got the attention of Dementia Friendly Indiana, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of people living with dementia, for the work we do to welcome and support this audience. Read more about It's Official: We're Dementia Friendly

The first time I heard First Aid Kit, composed of doe-eyed Swedish sisters Klara and Johanna Söderberg, I had stumbled across their melancholic ballad "Ghost Town" on an episode of NPR’s Echoes. From the very first, when I heard them croon, “Maybe I should just turn around and walk away / For no matter how much I want to stay / You know I can’t / It’s just too late”, I was hooked. How could two people so young tap so ably into the defeated resignation that comes with the death of dreams? I explored more of their music, and with the 2014 breakout album Stay Gold, I was hooked on the Söderbergs' angelic harmonies, piercing lyrics, and ability to render even cover songs into something distinctly theirs.
 
Read more about Music Review: First Aid Kit