The Yvonne Pappenheim Library on Racism

The Pappenheim Library is a free lending library of materials about racism and white privilege in the United States.

HOURS: The library is generally accessible during business hours except if the space is being used for a meeting or if staff is out. It is always wise to call before making plans to spend time in the library though dropping by if you are in the neighborhood is often a good bet.

EXTENDED SUMMER HOURS: In partnership with the Boston Radical Reference Collective, we are offering the following extended hours in July and August:

  • Monday: 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM*
  • Tuesday: 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM
  • Wednesday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
  • Thursday: 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM
  • Friday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

* open on Movie Mondays until the close of program

ONLINE CATALOG: Patrons can browse our book collection on-site or through our Online Catalog.


OUR COLLECTION:

  • BOOKS: approximately 3300 books covering a wide range of topics including, but not limited to, human and civil rights, slavery and abolitionism, social class, historical biography, and contemporary antiracism movements. We also have a large collection of children's books.
  • ARTICLES AND REPORTS: Our collection includes articles and reports on a vast array of topics. In addition, we offer resources and materials for antiracist organizational development, diversity training and facilitation.

ONLINE ARTICLES

ONLINE REPORTS

  • VIDEO: Our library contains 200+ videotapes and DVDs on race and racism in the United States. These are widely used by our patrons to enhance presentations and discussions and to support diversity training and workplace programming.
  • AUDIO: Our collection contains famous speeches, lectures, books on tape and CD, as well as spoken word CDs. In addition, audio recordings of some CCI Lunch Discussions are available online.


HISTORY
: the CCI book collection was established by founder Horace Seldon with the help of Esther Nowelll, a volunteer school librarian, and Mrs. Harry Elam, formerly a Boston Public School Librarian. In 1990, Yvonne Pappenheim began her volunteer work to maintain and develop the library. In recognition of her inspiration and untiring efforts, CCI named the library after her in 1998.