Between memories and decoloniality:

o patrimônio afro-brasileiro na Biblioteca Pública Estadual Benedito Leite e na Biblioteca Municipal José Sarney, em São Luís-MA.

Abstract

The presence of Afro-Brazilian heritage in spaces of memory and information, such as public libraries, is essential for valuing Afro-descendant culture and promoting diversity. In Brazil, marked by historical racial inequalities, these institutions have the potential to disseminate knowledge about Black culture and promote decolonial reflection through their collections and cultural activities. This study investigates, from a decolonial perspective, the presence of Afro-Brazilian heritage in the Benedito Leite and José Sarney public libraries in São Luís (MA), Luís (MA), a state whose population is predominantly Black (79%, according to IBGE). The research, of a documentary, qualitative, and exploratory nature, involved mapping the libraries, analyzing catalogs, and conducting on-site observation, seeking to identify the presence of works, documents, and actions aimed at valuing Afro-Brazilian culture. It was found that the José Sarney Municipal Library frequently develops cultural activities related to Black themes and has a specific section on ethnic-racial literature, with Black and Indigenous authors, in addition to a team sensitive to Afrocentric issues. The Benedito Leite Public Library has a significant collection, with works by Maria Firmina dos Reis, Conceição Evaristo, Carolina Maria de Jesus, among others, contributing to the strengthening of Black memory and representation. Both institutions demonstrate progress in the inclusion and democratization of access to information, reinforcing the role of libraries in preserving memory and promoting social equity, essential for the (re)construction of Afro-Brazilian identity and ancestry in Maranhão.