Celebrate Juneteenth at the Birmingham Public Library

 

Five Birmingham Public Library locations are hosting free programs and activities to celebrate Juneteenth, which on Monday, June 20, will be commemorated with a federal holiday for the very first time.

Juneteenth is the oldest national event celebrating Black freedom in the United States. It refers to June 19, 1865, when Blacks in Galveston, Texas found out that President Abraham Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation, ending slavery in the United States. All BPL locations will be closed on Monday, June 20, to celebrate Juneteenth federal holiday.

Here is a listing of Juneteenth events @BPL. 

Avondale Regional Library, 509 40th Street South, Ph. (205) 226-4000 

 

Monday, June 13 - Saturday June 18, 9:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. Drop-in/ Take-home Juneteenth Coloring

 -- All Ages - Juneteenth coloring sheets and colored pencils available.

 North Birmingham Library, 2501 31st Avenue North, Ph. (205) 226-4025 

Friday, June 17, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Joyful Juneteenth - Let’s celebrate Juneteenth at North Birmingham Library! 

Juneteenth is the oldest known nationally celebrated event commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. Stop by and learn about Juneteenth while enjoying a special red-hued Juneteenth snack! For details, email Samantha.gaston@cobpl.org 

Southside Branch Library, 1814 11th Avenue South, Ph. (205) 933-7776 

 Monday, June 13 – Friday, June 17, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. -    Grab N’ Go Juneteenth Windsocks 

 Participants will create Juneteenth Windsocks. These windsocks can be used to recognize Juneteenth celebrations. For details, email gelenda.norman@cobpl.org 

 Monday, June 13 – Friday, June 17, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. - Grab N’ Go Juneteenth Confetti Poppers

Create confetti poppers that can be used in Juneteenth celebration activities. Open to patrons of all ages. For details, email gelenda.norman@cobpl.org 

Saturday, June 18, 8:00 a.m. 

What is Juneteenth? Facebook Post on Southside Library Facebook Page 

Titusville Branch Library, #2 6th Avenue SW, Ph. (205) 322-1140 

Free Lunch and Juneteenth Activity for Students, Monday June 13 - Friday, June 17, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

 The lunch program at the Titusville Branch, #2 6th Avenue SW, will officially kick off on Monday, June 13 and take place between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays! Titusville is implementing Juneteenth activities during this daily lunch session during the week of Monday, June 13 through Friday, June 17.

Wylam Branch Library, 4300 7th Avenue Wylam, Ph. (205) 785-0349 205-276-8635

Tuesday, June 14, 10:00 a.m. The Significance of Juneteenth 

 A multi-media presentation focusing on the advent of the Juneteenth Holiday. Juneteenth commemorates the official end of slavery in the United States of America on June 19, 1865. This holiday began when enslaved people were informed of their freedom by the United States Army in Galveston, Texas. This observance marks the end of a living nightmare endured by countless individuals kidnapped from Africa for generations.

Parker Evans, a Library Assistant Ⅲ in the Business, Science, and Technology and Social Sciences Department, created a recommended Juneteenth Reading List. Check out the list below to celebrate and learn more about Juneteenth.