Philadelphia, PA 19103-1189
(215) 567-7710
FAX (215) 567-7850
Contact: Communications and Development
FREE LIBRARY CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY MONTH WITH A RANGE OF PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT ITS 54-BRANCH SYSTEM
PHILADELPHIA, January 23, 2012—The Free Library of Philadelphia is celebrating Black History Month this February with special events throughout the neighborhood branches highlighting important Africans and African Americans in history. For a complete up-to-date schedule of events, visit freelibrary.org.
• Black History Movie
Wednesday, February 1, 6:00 p.m. | David Cohen Ogontz Branch
Watch the documentary Black Indians and discover how African Americans and Native Americans made an impact on American history.
• African American Film Series
Wednesdays, February 1, 8, 15, 22, 5:30 p.m. | Wynnefield Branch
Join us for a series of films highlighting African American filmmakers, actors, and special events in black history. For more information or to find out the film selections, please call Emily Ann at
215-685-0298.
• Celebrating Black History: Friends Café
Haddington Branch
Join the Friends Café on Thursdays for discussions focused on the following topics:
o African Ancestors – Thursday, February 2, 4:30 p.m.
o Stories from Days of Slavery – Thursday, February 9, 4:30 p.m.
o Civil Rights Heroes – Thursday, February 16, 4:30 p.m.
o Who are our Heroes – Thursday, February 23, 4:30 p.m.
• Zora’s Tales
Sunday, February 5, 2:00 p.m. | Parkway Central Library
As a part of our Sundays on Stage program, funded by the PCI Board of Managers, The Women of Color Productions presents a one-woman play depicting the amazing life and times of Zora Neale Hurston.
• Black History Month Treasure Hunt
Monday, February 6 – Friday, February 10, drop-in event |Haddington Branch
Enjoy an awesome week of African American history. Drop in during our normal hours and learn about African American authors and participate in our treasure hunt. Prizes will be awarded!
• Black History Storytime
Tuesdays, February 7, 14, 21, 28, 10:30 a.m. | Walnut Street West Branch
Celebrate Black History Month with Ms. Susan as she reads stories and poems written by and about famous African Americans. Schools interested in attending this program should call 215-685-7671.
• Preschool Storytime
Tuesdays, February 7 and 21, 10:30 a.m. | Charles L. Durham Branch
Come enjoy featured books written and/or illustrated by African American authors.
• Comic Book STARS Workshop
Wednesday, February 8, 4:30 p.m. | Eastwick Branch
Skilled comic book artists from the East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention (EBACC) STARS program will engage children and teens through a variety of exercises using comic books, worksheets and activities including interactive reading, writing, drawing, and using positive images and imagery to illustrate comics as a fun and exciting way to be creative.
• Black History Smart Board Trivia
Wednesday, February 8, 4:00 p.m. | Roxborough Branch
School-age children and their families are invited to enjoy an interactive history and technology trivia game. Refreshments will be served after the program.
• Black History Teen Trivia Contest
Monday, February 13 – Friday, February 18| David Cohen Ogontz Branch
Tweens and teens aged 12 to 19 are welcome to join our week long trivia contest. Pick up your trivia sheet from Miss Veronica and see just how much you know about black history. When you return a completed sheet with the correct answers, you’ll increase your chance to win a cool prize.
• African American History Match Game
Wednesday, February 15, 4:00 p.m. | Charles L. Durham Branch
Match famous African American names with their portraits and/or achievements.
• African American Crafts
Wednesday, February 15, 4:00 p.m. | Wynnefield Branch
School-age children are invited to make traditional African American crafts.
• African American Timeline
Thursday, February 16, 4:00 p.m. | Nicetown-Tioga Branch
Children 8 to 12 years old will learn about and discuss African American history from the 18th through the 21st century. We will create a paper timeline and chronologically record as many people as possible.
• Teen Group Discussion
Wednesday, February 22, 4:00 p.m. | Blanche A. Nixon/Cobbs Creek Branch
Let’s chat! Come share your thoughts and future plans with us. What African American historical figure past or present inspires you? Who do you inspire?
• Malcolm and Martin
Wednesday, February 22 , 4:00 p.m. | Lucien E. Blackwell Regional Library
Children over 10 years old are invited to join the talented cast of the Walnut Street Theater’s Touring Company and enjoy a journey through the Civil Rights Movement. Seating is limited; please arrive on time!
• The Seventh Principle
Sunday, February 26, 2:00 p.m. | Parkway Central Library
As a part of our Sundays on Stage program, funded by the PCI Board of Managers, this dynamic dance troupe combines traditional African and modern African American dance, as well as history about the respective cultures that reside on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean.
• Black History Musical Extravaganza
Monday, February 27, 6:00 p.m. | Walnut Street West Branch
Join us as we culminate our celebration of Black History Month with a family musical program featuring the works of historically famous African American artists and musicians.
In addition to these citywide events, the Free Library will also offer events focused on the Haitian and Haitian American experience in concurrence with the 2012 One Book, One Philadelphia selection, Create Dangerously by Edwidge Danticat. For information on One Book, One Philadelphia, please visit freelibrary.org/onebook.
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The Free Library of Philadelphia system consists of 49 branches, three regional libraries, the Parkway Central Library, and the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. With more than 6 million visits annually, the Free Library is one of the most widely used educational and cultural institutions in Philadelphia.
01/23/2012
Department of External Affairs, Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-1189
(215) 567-7710, FAX (215) 567-7850