The tragic earthquake in Haiti has shaken the emotional core of the entire world. We're all trying to make sense of the upsetting images and heartbreaking stories that have been all over the news since January 12th. This tragedy has sparked an interest for many to explore the history and culture of Haiti. Many titles, for all ages and reading levels, are available if you want to learn more.

Look on the shelves under Dewey number 972.94 for basic country information.

The following resources would be ideal for a middle or high school student starting a research paper, but would also be a great place to start general research on Haiti for anyone. You can check to see if your local branch either has these books on the shelf or request them in person with any library staff member at the information desk. You can also request these titles from home using your library card and PIN number through the catalog.

• Haiti: A Guide to the People, Politics and Culture. Charles Arthur. Interlink Books, 2002.
• Haiti. Jean F. Blashfield. Children's Press/Scholastic, 2008.
• Culture and Customs of Haiti. J. Michael Dash. Greenwood Press, 2001.
• Haiti. Rosalie NgCheong-Lum & Leslie Jermyn. Marshall Cavendish Benchmark, 2005.
• Haiti: Land of Inequality. Mary C. Turck. Lerner Publications, 1999.

• Land & Peoples is an encyclopedia of countries, cultures, and current events geared to student readers, available through Grolier Online, which can be accesses from anywhere with your New York Public Library card. A simple search on Haiti will yield this helpful encyclopedia entry.

• The Columbia Gazetteer of the World is a unique world encyclopedia of geographical places and features with over 170,000 entries, including a brief country breakdown of Haiti.

• In Motion: The African-American Migration Experience features images, maps, and other primary source documents related to the long, complex, and intertwined histories of the United States, Hispaniola, and Haiti.