BPL 2022 Black History Month programs scheduled for February 21-26
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| Celebrate Black History Month with the BPL. Graphic design by Cheyenne Trujillo. |
The Birmingham Public Library's celebration of Black History Month is heading into our 4th week! The theme for 2022 is "Black Health and Wellness."
Among the highlights next week:
* History in the Making—Mural Making (Smithfield Library)
Monday, February 21—Friday, February 25 | From 10:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m.
* Black Health and Wellness Discussion with JeffCo. Department of Health
Tuesday, February 22 | Starts at 10:00 a.m.
* Black Health and Wellness: Bama Food Presentation (Adult)
Tuesday, February 22 | 11:00 a.m. at North Birmingham Library
* DNA Testing for African Ancestry
Tuesday, February 22 | From 12:00—1:00 p.m., virtual program led by Paul Boncella of the Southern History Department
* Who Am I? Connecting to Your Past Using BPL Databases
Wednesday, February 23 | 10:30 a.m. at Five Points West Library
* Talking to Children About Race (Titusville Library)
Wednesday, February 23 | Starts at 4:00 p.m.
* Getting Started with African American Genealogy
Thursday, February 24 | Starts at 2:00 p.m. at Woodlawn Library
* Read-in for Justice (a virtual program by Southside Library)
Saturday, February 26 | From 10:00 a.m.—11:00 a.m.
Here is a full listing with a description of all BPL Black History Month programs taking place between Monday, February 21 and Saturday, February 26:
Avondale Regional Branch Library
509 40th St S, Birmingham, AL 35222
Famous Alabamians Scavenger Hunt
All month long
There are tons of famous people that have a connection to Alabama! Your challenge is to find the photographs of 10 famous African Americans hidden throughout the Avondale Library and match each icon to the statement that best describes them.
Make and Take Kits: Achi Game Board
Monday, February 21—Tuesday, March 1
Celebrate Black History Month with a game of Achi from Ghana! Participants will make a felt game board for Achi, a game from Ghana that is similar to tic-tac-toe. Kits include supplies and instructions and are available while supplies last.
Time for Tales with Ms. Cas and Ms. Marie: Very Well: Grandma's Best Medicine
Thursday, February 24 | Starts at 10:30 a.m.
This program features stories, songs, and recipes that rely on tradition to maintain health and wellness. Space is limited and registration is required for this in-person event. Call the Avondale Youth Department at 205-226-4003 to register.
Central Library
2100 Park Place, Birmingham, AL 35203
DNA Testing for African Ancestry
Tuesday, February 22 | From 12:00—1:00 p.m.
DNA ethnicity testing may seem like a simple and efficient way to trace your ethnicity. But do you know the differences between all the testing kits and what they offer? Paul Boncella examines the current state of the science behind ancestry kits, lists the possibilities for African ethnicity testing, and explains what the various products actually deliver. This program is open to all patrons and held virtually. Register online to attend this program.
Five Points West Regional Branch Library
4812 Avenue W, Birmingham, AL 35208
The Power of Love: A Black History Discovery Program
All month long | From 9:00 a.m.—6:00 p.m.
While Black History Month celebrates many African American icons, we often don't know much about the leader's partner. Love is an integral element to what these icons were able to achieve. Five Points West Library is focusing on the softer sides of black trailblazers, so patrons can learn a little more about well-known black historical figures.
Who Am I? Connecting to Your Past Using BPL Databases
Wednesday, February 23 | Starts at 10:30 a.m.
Researching your past bridges the gap across time and allows you to explore your family's history. Attendees will learn how to combine historical and genealogy research using BPL databases, like African American History Online, Ancestry Library Edition, and familysearch.org.
Amazing Everyday Heroes
Wednesday, February 23 | Starts at 4:00 p.m.
Anyone can be a hero. Hear the story of ordinary people who risked their lives and became civil rights heroes when a bomb threatened to destroy their church. This program is held in the Meeting Room. Register in the Youth Department or call 205-226-4017 for more information.
Inglenook Branch Library
4100 40th Terrace N, Birmingham, AL 35217
Black History Word Search
Tuesday, February 22 through Monday, February 28
Anybody that likes to color can come in and color a variety of Black History Month-themed coloring sheets.
Black History Coloring Fun
Tuesday, February 22 through Monday, February 28
Come in and do a Black History Month-themed word search!
Black History Scavenger Hunt
Tuesday, February 22 through Monday, February 28
Come in and see the Black History Month bulletin board to get clues about who the famous people on the board are.
North Avondale Branch Library
501 43rd St N, Birmingham, AL 35222
Famous Alabamians Scavenger Hunt
All month long
There are tons of famous people that have a connection to Alabama! Your challenge is to find the photographs of 10 famous African Americans hidden throughout the North Avondale Library and match each icon to the statement that best describes them.
2501 31st Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35207
Black History Storytime Activity Kits (Children)
All month long
Stop by the North Birmingham Library and pick up your Black History Storytime Kit! Kits consist of books and activity sheets about people or events that make up black history.
Make It, Take It: Black History Month Arts and Crafts (Adults)
All month long
Activities inspired by Black History Month will be available throughout the whole month of February. Drop in any day and have fun completing the activities while learning!
Black Health and Wellness: Bama Food Presentation (Adult)
Tuesday, February 22 | Starts at 11:00 a.m.
A Bama Health Foods representative is presenting about the six essential nutrients needed for your health and what each one does for your body.
Pratt City Branch Library
509 Dugan Ave, Birmingham, AL 35214
MLK Stained Glass Art
Wednesday, February 23 | Starts at 10:00 a.m.
Join Pratt City Library staff for Black History Month and learn how to create a stained glass art piece of Martin Luther King Jr. All supplies are provided.
Southside Branch Library
1814 11th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35205
Black History Trivia
All month long | All day during business hours
How much do you really know about black history? Test your knowledge by answering questions related to African American history! You may use a computer to find answers, BUT you are timed to complete these questions. Your name will be entered into a drawing for a prize awarded each week. Patrons are limited to one entry. For more information, call the Southside Library at 205-933-7776.
Grab n Go Kit: Timeline Travel
All month long | Available while supplies last
Check out a library book, grab an encyclopedia, or get to the internet to complete a timeline or journey of a well-known African American historical figure. Each week Southside Library will feature a historical figure. Drop by and pick up a Grab n Go kit that includes pieces with an event that happened during the life of the person. For more information, call the Southside Library at 205-933-7776.
#BINGO Black History Bingo for Teens
Wednesday, February 23 | From 4:00—5:00 p.m.
Do you know your history? Join Southside Library staff for an opportunity to elevate your knowledge of black history through BINGO! Teens will answer questions and match their answers to the correct name on their BINGO card. The winner(s) will be rewarded! Teens are welcome to play every Wednesday.
Read-in for Justice
Saturday, February 26 | From 10:00 a.m.—11:00 a.m.
It's back! Southside Library is hosting a virtual Read-In for Justice! Read-In is a program where readers of diverse backgrounds come together to tell stories centered on people of color. Southside Library will have readers who are employed in various health fields reading stories about African Americans or by African American authors for Black History Month. For more information, call the Southside Library at 205-933-7776.
Smithfield Branch Library
1 8th Ave W, Birmingham, AL 35204
Black History Bingo—Who Am I?
Tuesday, February 22| From 3:30—4:30 p.m.
Play Black History Month-themed bingo with Smithfield Library every Tuesday.
History in the Making—Mural Making
Monday, February 21—Friday, February 25 | From 10:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m.
Help Smithfield Library create a mural!
Springville Road Regional Branch Library
1224 Old Springville Rd, Birmingham, AL 35215
Black History Wall Art
Tuesday, February 22| All-day
Come by the Springville Road Youth Department each week in February to help create wall art of famous African American heroes. Call 205-226-4085 for more information.
Bookmarks Viewing
Monday, February 21| Virtually on Facebook
Watch episodes of Bookmarks featuring prominent black celebrities and artists reading children's books from black authors. You can find these episodes on Springville Road Library's Facebook page every week.
Getting Started with African American Genealogy
Thursday, February 24 | Starts at 2:00 p.m.
Attendees will learn how to get started in genealogy with a special focus on genealogy resources useful to people with African American ancestry. The Birmingham African American Genealogy Group will lead this class. There will be an in-person watch party and this program will also be available via Zoom. Contact Springville Road Library's Adult Department at 205-226-4083 for Zoom information.
Titusville Branch Library
2 6th Ave SW, Birmingham, AL 35211
Embroidery: Black History Crochet Designs
Tuesday, February 22 | Starts at 11:00 a.m.
Join the Titusville Library Crochet Club and learn how to crochet different designs. Then, put your skills into practice and create Black History Month patterns. Materials are provided.
Titusville Adults Arts and Crafts/Games Craze
Tuesday, February 22 | From 9:00 a.m.—6:00 p.m.
Adults feel free to come and see what the arts and crafts and games are all about. Come for fun and community with your neighbors.
Bessie Coleman Airplane Craft
Monday, February 21 | Starts at 3:30 p.m.
Your imagination will take flight with the Titusville Library as you learn about Bessie Coleman. After the short history lesson, patrons will make airplanes out of clothespins! Materials are provided.
Talking to Children About Race
Wednesday, February 23 | Starts at 4:00 p.m.
Branch Manager Reba Williams will lead a workshop on anti-racism. This workshop is about discussing race with children, focusing on having hard conversations with teens. But many talking points apply to older children as well. It will be an interactive workshop with time for questions and discussions.
West End Branch Library
1348 Tuscaloosa Ave SW, Birmingham, AL 35211
Creative Coloring Expressions
All month long | All-day
Enjoy coloring pages and word puzzles about black history. Call 205-226-4089 for more information.
Alive @ the Library: Sharing Black History
Monday, February 21 | From 11:00 a.m.—12:00 p.m. and 4:00—5:00 p.m.
During this informal event, participants will take three to five minutes to share an original work or a piece written by a well-known African American author. Participants may choose to just be part of the audience as well. Call 205-226-4089 for more information.
Friday Movie Matinee—Race: The incredible true story of gold medal legend, Jesse Owens
Friday, February 25 | Starts at 3:30 p.m.
Participants will watch an exciting film and enjoy a refreshing snack and beverage. Call 205-226-4089 for more information.
Woodlawn Branch Library
5709 1st Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35212
Martin Luther King Jr. Mosaic Poster
All month long
Afterschool children are invited to work together to create a large multi-colored mosaic mural of Martin Luther King Jr. that captures the essence of Dr. King's dream. The finished mosaic poster will be displayed at Woodlawn Library.
Getting Started with African American Genealogy
Thursday, February 24 | Starts at 2:00 p.m.
Attendees will learn how to get started in genealogy with a special focus on genealogy resources useful to people with African American ancestry. The Birmingham African American Genealogy Group will lead this class. There will be an in-person watch party and this program will also be available via Zoom. Contact Woodlawn Library at 205-595-2001 for Zoom information.
Wylam Branch Library
4300 7th Ave, Birmingham, AL 35224
The Wylam Library's programs center around the theme "Black Health and Wellness."
Black Health and Wellness Discussion
Tuesday, February 22 | Starts at 10:00 a.m.
Join for an informative conversation about health and wellness during COVID with Jefferson County Health Department Representative Wanda Heard.
Follow the BPL on Facebook (Meta), Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn for more updates on our Black History Month celebrations!
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