February is Black History Month!
By Marjorie Lear, Multicultural Librarian
This month, Palm Beach County joins the nation in commemorating Black History Month, which has its roots in a week-long observation initiated by Dr. Carter G. Woodson in 1926, was expanded into Black History Month by President Ford in 1976, and became Public Law 99-244 in 1986. We invite you to join us at our various libraries as we offer programs that celebrate the unique contributions of African Americans and reflect upon important struggles toward freedom and equality.
Orisirisi will perform “Drum Stories” for families in all library locations, sharing stories from the African continent and incorporating the tradition of audience participation with fun-filled call and response songs, as well as spirited African drumming. At Gardens Library, Professor Allen C. Guelzo will conduct a four-week DVD tour of Lincoln's life, from his forebears' arrival in America through an evaluation of how his legacy lives on for us today. Lantana Road Library will present Haitian/Creole Specialist Bito David’s compelling account of Haiti in his program, “The Black Heritage: Haiti History at a Glance.”
Three libraries will host Black History Month book discussions, facilitated by librarian Ron Glass and focusing on fascinating contemporary reads, including Decoded by Jay-Z at the Lantana Road Library; Disintegration: the Splintering of Black America by Eugene Robinson at the Wellington Library; and The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration by Isabel Wilkerson at the Gardens Library.
During the month of February, various libraries will show special films celebrating Black History.
Lantana Road Library also hosts a special art exhibit this month, featuring artwork submitted by students for an annual contest sponsored by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Coordinating Committee. For over 37 years, this group has sponsored celebrations of the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. and also held competitions encouraging young people to express themselves and become involved in community efforts toward greater racial harmony.
Please join us as we honor our own African American community and celebrate our nation’s rich and powerful Black History.
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Black History Month Programs for Adults
Mr. Lincoln: The Life of Abraham Lincoln DVD Tour
Professor Allen C. Guelzo conducts a DVD tour of Lincoln’s life, from his forebears’ arrival in America through an evaluation of how his legacy lives on for us today. Great Courses® shown with permission. (90 min.) Preregister. Not rated.
Gardens Branch (Phone: 626-6133)
Wed, 2:30 pm
Feb 01: Pts. 1-3 -- Young Mr. Lincoln, Whig Meteor, and Lincoln, Law and Politics.
Feb 08: Pts. 4-6 -- The Mind of Abraham Lincoln,
Lincoln & Slavery, The Great Debates.
Feb 15: Pts. 7-9 -- Lincoln & Liberty, Too, The Uncertain President, The Emancipation Moment.
Feb 22: Pts. 10-12 -- Lincoln’s Triumph, The President’s Sword, and The Dream of Lincoln.
The Black Heritage: Haiti History at a Glance
Lantana Road Branch (Phone: 304-4500)
Thu, Feb 16, 6:30 pm
Hear the compelling story of our southern neighbor, Haiti, from Bito David, Specialist/Haitian/Creole,
Public Affairs Office, School District of Palm Beach County. (60 min.) Preregister.
African American Settlement in Palm Beach County
Main Library (Phone: 233-2600)
Tue, Feb 28, 6:30 pm
In honor of Black History Month, Spady Cultural Heritage Museum presents the engaging story of African American settlement in Palm Beach County, through a historic slide show and presentation. (60 min.) Preregister.
Black History Trivia
Royal Palm Beach Branch (Phone: 790-6030)
Sat, Feb 25, 2:30 pm
Learn about black history in film, television, music and African American studies, followed by a fun interactive game. (60 min.) Preregister.
Book Discussion Series
Decoded
Lantana Road Branch (Phone: 304-4500)
Sat, Feb 04, 2:00 pm
Jay-Z, one of the most provocative and successful artists of our time, shares a collection of his lyrics and their meanings. Outreach Librarian Ronald Glass will lead a discussion of the book “Decoded,” by Jay-Z. Preregister and get your copy of the book at the Circulation Desk. (2 hr.)
Disintegration: The Splintering of Black America
Wellington Branch (Phone: 790-6070)
Sat, Feb 11, 2:00 pm
Learn how the African American community has split into four distinctive communities with separate struggles and goals. Ronald Glass will lead a discussion of “Disintegration: The Splintering of Black America,” by Eugene Robinson. Preregister and get your copy at the Circulation Desk. (2 hr.)
Book/Film Discussion: Their Eyes Were Watching God
Hagen Ranch Road Branch (Phone: 894-7500)
Mon, Feb 13, 2:00 pm
In celebration of Black History Month, join Stacie Kiner for a book/film discussion of “Their Eyes Were
Watching God” by Zora Neale Hurston. Books will be available at the Check-Out Desk. ©Buena Vista. (3 hr.) TV-14.
The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration
Gardens Branch (Phone: 626-6133)
Sat, Feb 25, 2:00 pm
From WWI to the 1970s, six million African Americans fled the South for the urban North and West. Ronald Glass will lead a discussion of “The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration,” by Isabel Wilkerson. Preregister and get a copy of the book at the Circulation Desk. (2 hr.)
Movies
Call branch for film titles
Clarence Anthony Branch (Phone: 992-8393)
Sat, Feb 11 & 25, 2:00 pm
Gardens Branch (Phone: 626-6133)
Thu, Feb 02, 2:30 pm
Royal Palm Beach Branch (Phone: 790-6030)
Thu, Feb 23, 2:00 pm
Black History Month Programs for Children
Orisirisi: Drum Stories
“Drum Stories” is a joyous celebration including stories from the far corners of the African continent, incorporating the tradition of audience participation with fun-filled call and response songs, spirited African drumming, and much more! All ages. Preregister.
Thu, Feb 16, 10:00 am Belle Glade Branch, Belle Glade (996-3453)
Sun, Feb 19, 2:00 pm Main Library, West Palm Beach (233-2600)
Tue, Feb 21, 3:30 pm Jupiter Branch (744-2301)
Tue, Feb 21, 6:30 pm Tequesta Branch (746-5970)
Wed, Feb 22, 11:00 am Okeechobee Blvd. Branch, West Palm Beach (233-1880)
Wed, Feb 22, 4:00 pm Gardens Branch, Palm Beach Gardens (626-6133)
Thu, Feb 23, 10:00 am Loula V. York Branch, Pahokee (924-592)
Thu, Feb 23, 3:30 pm Clarence Anthony Branch, South Bay (992-8393)
Sat, Feb 25, 1:00 pm Greenacres Branch (641-9100)
Sat, Feb 25, 3:30 pm Lantana Road Branch, Lake Worth (304-4500)
Sun, Feb 26, 1:00 pm Hagen Ranch Road Branch, Delray Beach (894-7500)
Mon, Feb 27, 11:00 am Wellington Branch (790-6070)
Mon, Feb 27, 3:30 pm Royal Palm Beach Branch (790-6030)
Wed, Feb 29, 11:00 am West Boca Branch (470-1600)
Wed, Feb 29, 4:00 pm Glades Road Branch, Boca Raton (482-4554)
Homework Help
Main Library, West Palm Beach (233-2600)
Sat, Feb 04, 2:00 pm
The library can offer you all the information resources you need to answer your Black History Month
questions. We will show you how to find the books, use our databases, and search the Internet for your reports. Ages 9-12.(60 min.)
Kente Cloth
Royal Palm Beach Branch (790-6030)
Wed, Feb 22, 6:30 pm
Learn the symbolism behind this African cloth pattern and paint your own Kente designs. Also check out
our African folklore display. Ages 8-12. (45 min.) Preregister. |
Artwork from the Martin Luther King Coordinating Committee of West Palm Beach's
Annual Art Competition for K-12 is on display. 