The Huron County Library is celebrating Pride Month by sharing valuable resources, participating in community events, and hosting activities in our branches.

Here is a round-up of what’s happening throughout June:

Huron County Pride Outreach: The Huron County Library is popping up at Huron County’s first Pride Festival! Find us on the Square in downtown Goderich on Saturday, June 10, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and take in the amazing activities happening throughout the day!

LGBTQ2S+ Resources for young people and their families: Library staff have put together a valuable resource guide to support young people and their families. The guide features links to online resources, books from our collection, local supports, and more.

Book Raffle: The Library is raffling off 10 LGBTQ2S+ books for a variety of ages (picture books, junior fiction, young adult, adult fiction, and adult non-fiction). Find ballots throughout the month of June at all 12 branches or visit us at the Huron Pride Festival.

Pride Panel Discussion: Join us on Tuesday, June 27 from 7-8 p.m., for a virtual discussion on the growing censorship of LGBTQ2S+ books. Registration required. 

LGBTQ2S+ Youth Gab Sessions: This is an opportunity for youth ages 16-25 to meet in a safe space for youth to discuss their LGBTQ2S+ experiences. This event runs the last Thursday of each month from 5-6 p.m. at the Goderich Branch. Registration required.

Rainbow Wands @ Goderich Branch: Make a rainbow wand on Saturday, June 10, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. to help celebrate Huron Pride’s first Pride Festival! Registration required

Evening Experts @ Goderich Branch: In celebration of Pride Month, we welcome speakers from Huron County Pride on Wednesday, June 21 starting at 6:30 p.m.to speak about this grassroots LGBTQ2+ organization and more!

Origami Hearts @ Exeter Branch: Drop into the Exeter Branch through the month of June to help the library decorate the windows with origami hearts. Available during regular branch hours.

Blind Date with an LGBTQ2S+ Book @ Exeter Branch: The Exeter Branch is hosting Blind Date with an LGBTQ2S+ book throughout the month of June. 

Help celebrate Ramadan with this guide featuring books by and about Muslims from diverse backgrounds and countries. The word ‘Ramadan’ refers to the name of the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It begins and ends with the appearance of the crescent moon. In 2023, the holy month is recognized from the evening of Wednesday, March 22, 2023 to the evening of Thursday, April 20, 2023 during which fasting is observed by Muslims all over the world. A staff-created list with even more of our recent favourites can on our online catalogue.

Fiction – Evil Eye by Etaf Rum

The acclaimed New York Times bestselling Muslim author of A Woman Is No Man returns with a striking exploration of the expectations of Palestinian-American women, the meaning of a fulfilling life, and the ways our unresolved pasts affect our presents.

Place a hold online…

Fiction – Much Ado About Nada by Uzma Jalaluddin

From the Toronto-based romance and women’s fiction author of Ayesha at last and Hana Khan carries on comes a new Jane Austen inspired second chance romance that celebrates the vibrancy of Toronto’s Muslim community.

Place a hold online…

Memoir – Brown Boy by Omer Aziz

A compelling memoir from a first-generation Pakistani-Muslim man who grew up on the outskirts of Toronto. Weaving together his powerful personal narrative with the books and friendships that move him, Aziz wrestles with the contradiction of feeling like an Other and his desire to belong to a Western world that never quite accepted him. 

Place a hold online…

Non-Fiction – Halal Sex: The Intimate Lives of Muslim Women in North America by Sheima Benembarek

An unprecedented glimpse into the sex lives of female and gender-expansive Muslims living across Canada and the United States as recounted to Moroccan Canadian journalist, Sheima Benembarek.

Place a hold online…

Graphic Novel/Memoir – Huda F are you? by Huda Fahmy

From the creator of Yes, I’m Hot In This, comes a cheeky, hilarious, and honest graphic novel that asks the question everyone has to figure out for themselves: Who are you? From a Michigan based hijab wearing Muslim woman.

Place a hold online…

Young Adult Fiction – Next New Syrian Girl by Ream Shukairy

A debut YA novel about the unlikely friendship between two very different Syrian girls, the pressures and expectations of the perfect Syrian daughter, and the repercussions of the Syrian Revolution both at home and abroad from a Syrian American Muslim author born and raised in California.

Place a hold online…

Middle Grade Fiction – Salma Makes a Home by Danny Ramadan; illustrated by Anna Bron

Charming, creative Salma takes on big feelings with even bigger ideas as she navigates life in a new country, Syrian identity, family changes and new friendships in this engaging and heartfelt early chapter book series from an award-winning Syrian-Canadian author, activist and public speaker.

Place a hold online… 

Picture Book – Moon’s Ramadan by Natasha Khan Kazi

In this debut picture book, an anthropomorphized moon smiles down on Muslims in different countries around the world as the month of Ramadan takes place. Beautifully illustrated, this book does a great job showcasing the diversity of the Muslim population and the different aspects of this Islamic holiday.

Place a hold online…