Thursday, February 17, 2011

Celebrating Black History Month

     As part of our February awareness, we are celebrating Black History Month with displays of books and pictures.
     On the wall of the long, white hallway between the genealogy library and the public library, we have pictures of famous people.  There is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Civil Rights leader; Charles Richard Drew, a medical researcher; Edmonia Lewis, an artist; Langston Hughes, a poet; Duke Ellington, a musician and composer; Mary McLeod Bethune, an educator; and several others.  The pictures are wonderful pencil/charcoal drawings and make an impressive display.  The display is one way to put a face with a name.
     On the long, low bookshelf in the adult reading area, we've placed books that can be checked out.  Some of these books are:
     Maya Angelou - I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Letter to My Daughter, Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'fore I Diiie, and I Shall Not Be Moved.
     Bebe Moore Campbell - Singing in the Comeback Choir.
     Frank Yerby - McKenzie's Hundred, Hail the Conquering Hero, and Tobias and the Angel.
     Ralph Ellison - Invisible Man.
     Terry McMillan - How Stella Got Her Groove Back.
     Toni Morrison - Paradise and The Bluest Eye.
     Ernest J. Gaines - The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman.
     Georgia Naylor - Bailey's Cafe.
     Alice Walker - By the Light of My Father's Smile.
We also have colorful bookmarks of Evelyn Ashford, an Olympic medalist; James Van Der Zee, an American photographer; Jacqueline Woodson, a young adult author; and Thurgood Marshall, a lawyer and Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
     All of these people are famous in their own right.  But there are many others who are never mentioned, who are never known, and need to be celebrated just as much.
     As we celebrate this special time in February, we hope you will join us as we recognize the true meaning of Black History Month. 
     Stop by the library this week and join us in our celebration.

1 comment:

Kris... farm snippet writer said...

Don't forget my favorite, Zora Neale Hurston! She was also a librarian in Florida I think. Wonderful variety of books you have on display!