Juneteenth is a federal holiday celebrating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. The celebration originated in Galveston, Texas and is the anniversary date of when Union Army officials proclaimed freedom for enslaved people in Texas, which was the last Confederate state with institutional slavery. The day was recognized as a federal holiday on Jun 17, 2021, when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law.

June was chosen for Pride Month to commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, which took place in Greenwich Village, Manhattan in 1969. In the early hours of morning, police raided the Stonewall Inn, one of the last sanctuaries of the gay community. When a lesbian in police custody called onlookers to action, a grassroots movement sparked six days of uprising against the police treatment of the gay community. These riots are seen as the beginning of the Gay Rights Movement.

Beginning Mon, Jun 06 through Fri, Jul 29. Welcome to our Summer Reading Program! Our aim is simple: get Palm Beach County reading during the hot summer months! Readers of all ages are invited to get in on the fun and share their progress for a chance to win a prize.

The Palm Beach County Library System is proud to honor Haitian culture, literature, history and language during Haitian Heritage Month in May, a month that incorporates the important holiday of Haitian Flag Day on May 18. Visit the newly-renovated Lantana Road Branch and enjoy their Haitian Cultural Collection. This collection highlights Haiti’s history and culture and includes adult and juvenile books in Haitian Creole, French and English.

We thank the Friends of the Library for their generosity and support of this celebration since 2010! We invite you to enjoy events offered in-person and online through Zoom.