Library to Host Film Screening

The West Chicago Public Library District will host a screening of the documentary film, “A Prince Among Slaves” on Sunday, November 3 at 2 pm. The film tells the remarkable, true story of Abdul Rahman Ibrahima, an African prince captured and sold into slavery in Mississippi in 1788, where he remained enslaved for forty years before ultimately regaining his freedom and returning home.

This film is part of the library's Muslim Journey's Bookshelf collection, which was received as a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) earlier this year. Developed by the NEH and the American Library Association (ALA) with the support of grants from the Carnegie Corporation and the Doris Duke Foundation, the Muslim Journeys Bookshelf is meant to address both the need and desire of the American public for trustworthy and accessible resources about Muslim beliefs and practices and the cultural heritage associated with Islamic civilizations. As a grant recipient, West Chicago received 25 books, 3 films, and access for one year to Oxford Islamic Studies Online.

“We take great pride in our Library as a ‘community center' for public discourse,” says Administrative Librarian Melody E. Coleman. “This grant award aligns with the Library's mission and vision to offer materials and services that engage individuals of every cultural background and provide Library patrons the opportunity to enjoy an intellectually and culturally rich experience,” she added.

Light refreshments will be served and registration for the screening is requested by calling (630) 231-1552 x4, or online at www.westchicago.lib.il.us.