Celebrate Black History

All Ages
Gale in Context: Biography
Learn more about the lives that made an impact in our world.

Adults
10 Books to Read for Black History Month
Check out these Fiction and Non-Fiction titles.

Pre-Teens
Celebrate Black Lives
Check out these novels for Ages 9 - 12.

Children
20 Picture Books
Check out these favorites for Black History Month.

Headquarters Library

• Celebrating Local Voices with the Opinionated Ladies Book Club
  Jan. 28, 2 p.m., Adults
  Join us as local African American authors share their experience of growing up or living in Alachua County, and how it shaped them into the authors they are today.
• Monthly Movie Matinee
  Feb. 6, 12-2 p.m., Adults
  This month film is a look at the true story of Mamie Till-Bradley, who pursued justice after the murder of her son Emmett.
• Black Superhero Showcase
  Feb. 7, 3-5 p.m., Ages 5-18
  Join us for a screening of the animated web slinging superhero feature film about Miles Morales becoming Spider-Man.
• We’re Tired of Asking: Black Thursday and Civil Rights at the University of Florida
  Feb. 8, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Adults
  Kaitlyn Hof-Mahoney, executive director of the Matheson History Museum, will give a presentation on the Civil Rights movement in Gainesville, Florida.
• Introduction to African American Genealogy
  Feb. 14, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Adults
  Do you know who your ancestors are? Want to learn how to begin your family research? Searching for your African American ancestors can be challenging. Join us for a little help getting started.
• Creative Journaling with the Library
  Feb. 28, 4-5 p.m., Adults
  Creative journaling is an excellent way to express yourself. We will be exploring ways to celebrate Black History Month through journal spreads inspired by quotes, symbols, and historical figures.

Alachua Branch

• African American Read-In
  Feb. 19, 2-4 p.m., All Ages
  Join us for a community celebration! National African American Read-In salutes Black authors and Black literature old and new. Come listen to stories and musical performances during this afternoon event.

Archer Branch

• Teen Book of the Month
  Feb. 1, All Month, All Ages
  Check out February's Teen Books of the Month: Stamped and You Should See Me in a Crown! Once you've read it, fill out a comment card for our bulletin board. 
• Buttons & Sticker Making
  Feb. 9, 4-5 p.m., Teens
  Make themed buttons and DIY stickers.
• ABC: Archer Book Club
  Feb. 28, 2-3 p.m., Adults
  Discuss the book The Nickel Boys, by Colson Whitehead.

Cone Park Branch

• Black History in Alachua County
  Feb. 17, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Adults
  Learn about the early African American families that made Alachua County their home.
• Kahoot Challenge
  Feb. 20, 4-5 p.m., All Ages
  Join us for a Kahoot challenge and test your knowledge of Black history.
• Escape Room
  Feb. 27, 4-5 p.m., All Ages
  Can you escape the room? Use your knowledge of Black history and find clues to crack all the puzzles and escape the room!

Hawthorne Branch

• African American Read-In
  Feb. 18, 2-3:15 p.m., All Ages
  Join us to celebrate National African-American Read-In and salute Black authors and Black literature. Discover a new author or revisit a familiar favorite as we share works by African American authors both current and historic. 

High Spring Branch

• Black History Variety Program
  Feb. 12, 2-4:30 p.m., All Ages
  Join us as we celebrate through music, drama, and dance.

Library Partnership Branch

• Finding History
  Feb. 1, All Month, All Ages
  Participate in a scavenger hunt. View our interactive display, follow the leads to find answers to history questions, then win a prize!
• American Universal Medicine Presents Health and Culture: In Indigenous America
  Feb. 4, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., All Ages
  American Universal Medicine presents a day dedicated to health and culture. Join us for demonstrations of dance, yoga, and Qigong, along with live music, speakers, and a food truck.
• Introduction to African American Genealogy
  Feb. 7, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Adults
  Do you know who your ancestors are? Want to learn how to begin your family research? Searching for your African American ancestors can be challenging. Join us for some help starting the search.

Micanopy Branch

• Movie Matinee
  Every Saturday in February
  Bring a blanket to snuggle up with as we learn about the lives of several extraordinary individuals. Join us in the Dance Hall for every film screening.
  • Feb. 4, 2-4:30 p.m., All Ages
    Film depicts the life of American freedom fighter Harriet Tubman.
  • Feb. 11, 2-4:30 p.m., All Ages
    Film tells the story of how Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball.
  • Feb. 18, 2-4:30 p.m., All Ages,
    Film is about the untold story of three African American women who were the brains behind NASA’s launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit.
  • Feb. 25, 2-4:30 p.m., All Ages
    Film is about the true-life story of legendary singer Aretha Franklin.

Millhopper Branch

• Millhopper Book Club
  Feb. 7, 1-2 p.m., Adults
  We will be reading, “Horse” by Geraldine Brooks.
• Basquiat Art Workshop
  Feb. 7, 4-5:30 p.m., Ages 5-18
  Join us for an art workshop inspired by the work of famed artist, Jean-Michel Basquiat.

Newberry Branch

• An Afternoon with author Rosa M. Campbell and Friends
  Feb. 4, 3-4 p.m., All Ages
  Local author Rosa M. Campbell, author of A Promise and A Family of Promise, will read her books and talk with patrons. Other local authors will also be reading from their books, as well as selling and signing books. 

Tower Road Branch

• Introduction to African American Genealogy
  Feb. 1, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m., Adults
  Do you know who your ancestors are? Want to learn how to begin your family research? Searching for your African American ancestors can be challenging. Join us for some help starting the search.
• Story Time
  Feb. 2, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Ages 3-5
  Learn about famous African American scientist and inventor George Washington Carver. Listen and sing along to rhythmic multicultural children’s songs from Ella Jenkins and make a craft.
• Trivia
  Feb. 15, 3-6 p.m., Teens, and Feb. 22, 2-5 p.m., Ages 5 to 11
  Join us for a fun and enlightening seek and find adventure around the Tower Road Branch. Discover little known facts and historical figures from throughout American history.

Waldo Branch

• Introduction to African American Genealogy
  Feb. 3, 2-3 p.m., Adults
  Do you know who your ancestors are? Want to learn how to begin your family research? Searching for your African American ancestors can be challenging. Join us for some help starting the search.
• Waldo Teen Book Club
  Feb. 8, 4-5 p.m., Teens
  Join our Waldo Teen Book Club to discuss this month's chosen book, Stamped by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi.
• ArtSpace: Diddley Bow
  Feb. 16, 4-5 p.m., and Feb 18, 2-3 p.m., Teen and Adults
  Make and decorate an African American folk instrument know as a Diddley Bow. Learn how this one-stringed instrument paved the way for the Delta Blues and inspired the stage name of the famous Alachua County resident, Bo Diddley. 
• Bot and Blocks
  Feb. 17, 4-5 p.m., Teens
  Design a train track for a robot and learn about inventor Granville T. Woods, a pioneering African American engineer who helped develop the modern subway rail system.
• ArtSpace: Little Dresses for Africa
  Feb. 23, 4-5 p.m., and Feb. 25, 2-3 p.m., All Ages
  Do you want to help make clothes for children in Africa? Join us and sew a dress from a pillowcase pattern or sew shorts. All the clothes made are for the Little Dress for Africa project.