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Library observes Black History Month
YOUNGSTOWN
Black History Month will be observed in a series of free February programs and activities at main library and various branches of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County.
New this year are appearances by a New York Times best-selling author and a program concerning African-American genealogy research.
“The library is diversifying its programming agenda to reflect the cultures of Mahoning County,” said Josephine Nolfi, library programming director.
The first event, which is intended for adults, will begin at 11 a.m. Feb. 18 at the East branch, 430 Early Road, with a performance by the Youngstown Connection choral and dance group.
That event, sponsored by the East Committee of the Friends of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, will feature refreshments, including black-eyed peas, sweet-potato pie and sweet tea.
Andrea Davis Pinkney, the author who lives in upstate New York, will appear at 10 a.m. Feb. 24 at the Austintown branch, at 1 p.m. Feb. 24 at the Newport branch and at 11 a.m. Feb. 25 at the main library.
Her program, for schoolchildren and adults, will feature audience participation, singing, show and tell and readings from her many books.
“We always want to do something special for Black History Month, and it is sometimes difficult to get an author in during the winter,” said Janet Loew, library communications and public relations director.
“We’ve wanted for a long time to bring in an author that celebrates African-American culture, and we finally found an author who was willing to travel in February to Ohio,” Nolfi said.
“We really hit the jackpot. She does programming for kids of all ages and adults,” Nolfi added.
Pinkney has written many biographies of black Americans of historical significance, including the titles: “Duke Ellington” and “Ella Fitzgerald.”
Pinkney’s main library presentation will be followed by a noon program there, in which families will make their own drums and other musical instruments.
That exercise will be followed by a 12:30 p.m. West African rhythm program, given by Sogbety Diomande, an Ivory Coast native residing in Mansfield, who has appeared previously in various library branches here in recent years.
This interactive performance for all ages will feature drumming, dance and songs and colorful costumes.
At 6:30 p.m. Feb. 28 at the East Branch, there will be separate, but simultaneous, programs for adults and school-age children.
The program for adults and teenagers concerning African-American genealogy, taught by Tim Seman, genealogy and local history librarian, will review the research process, with a special emphasis on the challenges of pursuing African-American family history.
Seman “is always looking for ways to provide genealogy services to the different groups and ethnicities that live in the Valley,” Loew said.
Often, the documents needed for African-American genealogy research are unavailable because they may have been destroyed by fire, Loew said.
“Often, churches can be very helpful in searching for African-American genealogical information,” she added.
To register for the genealogy program, call 330-744-8636 and ask for the information services department.
The other Feb. 28 program, intended for children, age 5 to 12, will feature stories and crafts that celebrate community diversity.
In addition to these events, the library system also will feature Black History Month activities that are available any time the library branches where they are featured are open during February.
Main library will feature the Black History Month Matching Challenge, in which children and teenagers match the photos, names and accomplishments of famous black Americans for a chance to win a prize.
At the Newport branch, children can design a square to add to the library’s Freedom Quilt or make a craft to take home.
Children and teenagers are invited to participate in the “Who Said That?” contest, in which they match famous black Americans to their notable quotations at the Austintown and Tri-Lakes branches.
A winner will be selected from the correct entries to receive a prize.