Celebrate Black History Month With Special Activities At PGCMLS

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System will celebrate Black History Month with virtual programs that explore Black creativity and ingenuity across disciplines with read alouds for children, an appearance by author and journalist Wanda Smalls Lloyd, a new series that explores Black inventors and innovators curated by the library’s workforce and community development team, the Black Authors in Sci-Fi & Fantasy series presented by the PGCMLS Writers’ Group, book discussions, an open mic event and film discussions.

Prince Georgians are encouraged to explore Black history and culture locally and nationally via the library’s online resources and Sojourner Truth Room at the Oxon Hill Branch Library. Black LGBTQ+ artists are invited to submit their work for inclusion in “Black and Proud+” a forthcoming community art exhibit to be displayed this winter and spring at PGCMLS branch libraries. Submissions are due Feb. 11. Learn more at pgcmls.info/black-heritage.

Featured Online Resources

PGCMLS Black Heritage Webpage
An introduction to Black History Month and black heritage curated by PGCMLS staff. Includes recommended streaming and reading content.

African American Experience
Research African American history and culture, including primary sources, timelines, audio clips, photographs, maps, and images.

African American Heritage
Research collection was created in partnership with leading African American genealogists and recognized leaders in genealogical information and consists of a mix of resources, records, and tools. Connect with a community of research experts, whose mentoring and assistance can be the difference between research success and futility.

OverDrive Black History Month 2022 Collection
Curated list of recommended eBooks and audiobooks.

Sojourner Truth Room
The Oxon Hill Branch of the Prince George's County Memorial Library System was built on the site of the Sojourner Truth Elementary School in 1967 at the height of the Civil Rights Movement. In response to the Civil Rights era's growing request for African American research materials, the Oxon Hill Branch Library's special collection located in the Sojourner Truth Room was created.

Named for Sojourner Truth, the collection continues to honor one of this country's remarkable women and has become a regional resource. This comprehensive collection of reference materials on African American history and culture includes more than 18,000 cataloged items (many are rare or out-of-print), periodicals, sheet music by African American composers, photographs and posters. The pamphlet file contains pamphlets, clippings, and other reference sources. Explore the collection at pgcmls.info/sojourner-truth-room.

Event Highlights

African American Inventors and Innovators Series (All ages)
Wednesday, Feb. 2, 6-7:15 p.m.: Communication
Wednesday, Feb. 9, 6-7:15 p.m.: Technology
Wednesday, Feb. 16, 6-7:15 p.m.: Transportation
Wednesday, Feb. 23, 6-7:15 p.m.: Science

Author Events Co-presented with the Prince George’s County Office of Human Rights (Adults)
Thursday, Feb. 10, 7-8 p.m.: NewSouth Books Series: Wanda Smalls Lloyd on “Coming Full Circle”
Thursday, Feb. 17, 7-8 p.m.: NewSouth Books Series: Cole S. Manley on “The Unlikely World of the Montgomery Bus Boycott”

Events for Children and Families
Thursday, Feb. 3, 10-10:30 a.m.: Read Aloud: Black History Month (Ages 2-5)
Tuesday, Feb. 8, 4-5 p.m.: African American History Read Aloud (Ages 5-12)
Friday, Feb. 11, 4-5 p.m.: Craft and Create: Royal Portraits (All ages)
Tuesday, Feb. 15, 4-5 p.m.: African American History Read Aloud (Ages 5-12)
Wednesday, Feb. 16, 7-7:45 p.m.: Plant-based Soul Food Cooking (All ages)
Tuesday, Feb. 22, 4-5 p.m.: African American History Read Aloud (Ages 5-12)
Wednesday, Feb. 23, 7-8 p.m.: Open Mic: Celebrating Black Culture (All ages)

Black Authors in Sci-Fi & Fantasy Series (Adults)
Wednesday, Feb. 9, 6-7 p.m.: Black Authors in Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Wednesday, Feb. 23, 6-7 p.m.: Black Authors in Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Book and Film Discussions (Adults/Teens)
Tuesday, Feb. 8, 7-8 p.m.: Prince George’s County Reads: “A Question of Freedom” [Book Discussion]
Wednesday, Feb. 9, 7-8:30 p.m.: “The Prophets” by Robert Jones, Jr. [Book Discussion]
Tuesday, Feb. 15, 6:30-8 p.m.: “Just as I Am” by Cicely Tyson [Book Discussion]
Monday, Feb. 21, 7-8 p.m.: “Passing” by Nella Larsen [Book and Film Discussion]
Tuesday, Feb. 22, 7-8 p.m.: The Elephant We Don’t See: A Diversity Dialogue - “The Source of Self-Regard” by Toni Morrison [Book Discussion]
Monday, Feb. 28, 7-8 p.m.: “Through a Lens Darkly: Black Photographers and the Emergency of a people” [Film Discussion]

Partner Events (Adults)
Thursday, Feb. 3, 12-1 p.m.: Shelf Life;”The Silent Shore” with Charles L. Chavis, Jr. (Presented by Maryland Humanities)
Graphics Package