Celebrate Black History Month with a selection of special themed programming, including crafts, stories and special exhibits.
Events for Children
BHM Children’s Exhibit
Monday, February 15–Friday, February 19
Visit our Black History Month interactive exhibit in the Children’s Services display cases to win a book.
Crafting & Take-It Make-It (YouTube)
Monday, February 15: Art Inspired by Ashley Bryan
Saturday, February 20: Jackie Robinson
Monday, February 22: Poetry Mirror Inspired by Nikki Giovanni
Thursday, February 25: Freedom Peace Quilt
Saturday, February 27: “I Have a Dream”
LIVE Storytime with Miss Kathy
Wednesday, February 17, 10:30 a.m. (Zoom)
Do you miss Storytime at Fountaindale Library? We miss you, too! Enjoy this special Zoom Storytime with Miss Kathy.
LIVE Mini Movin’ & Groovin’: Celebrate Africa
Saturday, February 20, 10:30 a.m. (Zoom — Registration Required)
Get your little ones movin’ and groovin’ to music, rhythms, songs and more! Register to reserve a kit to follow along! Zoom info will be sent one hour before the program. For Ages 8 months–5 years
Tween DIY with Miss Melisa: Pencil Pouch
Tuesday, February 23 (YouTube)
Join Miss Melisa in creating a pencil pouch using paint and different patterns. Register to reserve your kit, and pick it up at the Children’s Services Desk starting Tuesday, February 23. Grades 3–5
LIVE Storytime with Miss Chris
Wednesday, February 24, 10:30 a.m. (Zoom)
Do you miss Storytime at Fountaindale Library? We miss you, too! Enjoy this special Zoom Storytime with Miss Chris!
Graphic Novel Book Club with Miss Melisa
Wednesday, February 24 (YouTube)
If you’re a fan of “Smile” and “Big Nate,” this is the perfect club for you! Miss Melisa will book talk a new graphic novel each month and create a book-inspired DIY craft. Grades 3–5
LIVE Roots: Dr. Warren Washington & Rebecca Crumpler
Saturday, February 27, 1:30 p.m. (Zoom)
Join Judith and Ernie Davis of The Third Institute on Zoom as we explore the lives of African American heroes and sheroes. This month we learn about Dr. Warren Washington and Rebecca Crumpler.
Events for Teens
Teen Book Babble: Diverse Books (YouTube)
Part One: Friday, February 5
Part Two: Friday, February 12
Join our Teen Services staff as we highlight books recommended by our teen volunteers that celebrate diversity and promote conversations on race, racial equality and social justice.
Teen Crafternoon: Art Inspired by Alma Thomas
Friday, February 19 (YouTube)
Create a colorful art piece inspired by African-American Expressionist painter Alma Thomas, who used explosions of color to depict the world around her.
Events for Adults
The Underground Railroad in Illinois
Wednesday, February 3, 7 p.m. (Facebook Live)
Did you know Chicago was known as an abolitionist hub where “slave catchers” were not welcome (much to the chagrin of some prominent locals)? Join us on Facebook Live to take a look at the fugitive slave community, the Underground Railroad in Chicago and the anti-abolition forces who fought against them.
In the Belly of the Beast: King in Chicago
Wednesday, February 24, 7 p.m. (Zoom — Registration Required)
In late 1965, Dr. Martin Luther King brought his push for Civil Rights to Chicago, learning that the inequality and terror in the south were very much mirrored in the north. Clarence Goodman will talk about the struggle that Dr. King and other organizations in the area faced as they fought for equality for all.
Special Exhibit: Telling a People’s Story
February 3–March 15
We’re excited to showcase, Telling a People’s Story, a traveling panel exhibit focused on African-American children’s illustrated literature on loan from the Miami University Art Museum. The presentation of this genre offers a lens into the cultural, historical and social makeup of African-American cultural identity while also shedding light on the long-neglected world of African-American authors and illustrators in the pantheon of children’s literature.
This exhibit showcases African-American children’s illustrated literature produced by some of the biggest names in the field. A few of the well-known illustrators represented include Ashley Bryan, Jerry Pinkney, Jan Spivey-Gilchrist, E.B. Lewis and Kadir Nelson, among others. || LEARN MORE >
One Book, One ‘Brook
Join us for the debut of One Book, One ‘Brook, our new community-wide reading initiative! We’re inviting everyone in the Bolingbrook community to come together through the shared experience of reading the same book and to participate in enlightening and empowering conversations. For our inaugural book selection, we’ve chosen How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi. || LEARN MORE >