LEXINGTON, Ky. — A new library is giving way to showcase and celebrate African-American history. “The Luna Library” is named after a Lexington community activist and mentor’s late daughter, who tragically died in a car accident in 2018.
What You Need To Know
- “The Luna Library,” founded by Devine Carama, is located at Lexington Public Library’s Northside Branch through his organization Believing in Forever
- The library is a special collection of books for, by and about Black and African-American people and characters
- They named the library after Kamaria Spaulding, honoring her dedication of educating the community about the importance of Black history
Little Black girls and boys in Lexington now have expanded book options to read.
There are dozens of books to honor the rich culture and history. It’s called “The Luna Library,” named after Devine Carama’s late daughter Kamaria Nandi Francis Spaulding, who lost her life in a car accident on April 12th, 2020 at 18.
“They get to open a book, they get to see themselves and I feel like it will encourage more authors to create these type of books that will make kids feel good about their skin color, make them feel good about their hair, everything,” said Lakeshia Campbell, Spaulding’s mother.
This library was opened in remembrance of Spaulding. It’s based on a nickname the family used often. Lakeshia Campbell, the mother of late Spaulding, said she never thought she’d lose her daughter.
“It’s something you just don’t think is going to happen to you, you don’t even imagine it,” Campbell said. “And when it does you understand, you become part of this club that you don’t want to be in, but you need the support.”
Spaulding lived a life of activism, educating youth of all races about African-American history. She believed reading is the foundation of learning.
Spaulding’s dad and founder of the library, Devine Carama, is a dedicated Lexington community activist. He said days like today are hard.
“We’re still mourning and so sometimes things like this bring those emotions to the surface. So today is kind of a hard day. But at the same token, it’s something to be happy about,” said Carama.
Heather Dieffenbach, Lexington Public Library’s executive director, is someone who helped lead the effort of making sure “The Luna Library” was visible to Lexington community members.
“It is vital that children of color see themselves represented in the pages of books to understand their stories are valuable, important and inspiring, to see a world of possibility in their future. It is equally important for white children to understand that Black children have similar hopes, dreams and experiences and that those are just as valid as their own,” Dieffenbach said.
“The Luna Library” has a permanent place in Lexington’s Northside Branch library for all ages to enjoy.
“I am so honored that her dad thought to carry on what she wanted to do before she passed. There are no words to describe how appreciative I am of him,” said Campbell.
And no words to describe how appreciative the community is. Carama says he has plans to extend “The Luna Library” to more and more libraries across Lexington.