Urbandale proclaims African American History Month and announces All Urbandale Reads selection

Mayor Robert Endwig read and signed proclamations recognizing February as National African American History Month and promoting the Urbandale Public Library’s All Urbandale Reads program. The council received a presentation from Nicholas Channing, Urbandale library director, and Stacy Stanton, programming and outreach manager, who described planned events tied to the proclamations.

Channing said the All Urbandale Reads program has two primary goals: to promote literacy and to connect the community by reading a single shared title. He announced The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks‑Dalton as the 2025 selection and noted the program is in its tenth year in Urbandale. Stanton described upcoming community book discussions, educational programs and at least one featured speaker; she also thanked the Urbandale Library Foundation for purchasing copies and sponsoring speakers.

On African American History Month, staff described library events including two book clubs (one on school desegregation and one focused on an African American author), a virtual author talk and youth activities featuring artwork and displays. The library also announced that a community fridge has been installed at the Urbandale Public Library; staff encouraged donations and noted a small adjacent shelf for canned goods.

There was no public comment on these presentation items.

Why it matters: The proclamations and library programming provide civic recognition, cultural programming and local resources (including the community fridge) for residents.

Ending: Staff said copies of The Light Pirate were available after the meeting and asked interested residents to check the library’s events calendar for dates and times.