Boston Public Library celebrates Black History Month with booklist and programs

Boston Public Library honors Black History Month at locations throughout the city with a plethora of lectures, music celebrations, workshops, and crafts this February. The BPL published its annual “Black Is” booklist, a list of recent books concerning the African American experience compiled by staff members for all to enjoy. Categories of books include international and urban fiction, biography/memoir, expressions, and history and contemporary issues in nonfiction. Authors featured include Toni Morrison, Shonda Rimes, Whoopi Goldberg, and more. Copies of the booklist will be available at the Central Library and all branch locations this week.

The BPL also honors Black History Month through a variety of themed programming. Highlights include:

• The Triumph! Black Military Unsung Heroes exhibition takes viewers through the rich history of how heroes contributed mightily to the history of our nation and secured the freedoms that, for many of them, were delayed over time. On display at the Grove Hall Branch, located at 41 Geneva Avenue in Dorchester, from Wednesday, February 3, through March 18.
• Desiree Taylor takes audiences on an investigative journey through story into the Harlem Renaissance at the Charlestown, Uphams Corner, South Boston, and West Roxbury branches throughout the month of February.
• Learn about an important African American inventor or innovator each week, beginning on Wednesday, February 3, at 4 p.m. at the Adams Street Branch, located at 690 Adams Street in Dorchester. For children and teens.
• Roxbury’s own Valerie Stephens shares tales of freedom in a storytelling series based on the courageous actions of Americans during the American abolitionist movement and slavery. Thursday, February 4, at 6 p.m. at the Grove Hall Branch, located at 41 Geneva Avenue.
• Children make music together featuring African American musicians on Saturday, February 6, at 11 a.m. in the Children’s Library at the Central Library in Copley Square, located at 700 Boylston Street.
• Discover and access the BPL’s online resources to help enrich learning about African American history, life, and culture on Wednesday, February 10, at 2:30 p.m. at the Central Library in Copley Square, located at 700 Boylston Street.
• A Black History Month film series take place at the Lower Mills Branch on Fridays throughout February at 27 Richmond Street and a film fest occurs on Thursday, February 11, from 12 to 7 p.m. at the Mattapan Branch, located at 1350 Blue Hill Avenue.
• Youth make mobiles honoring Black History Month on Tuesday, February 23, at 4 p.m. at the West Roxbury Branch, located at 1961 Centre Street.
• Listen to d’Allegro’s take on classic and inspirational tunes by African American artists on Thursday, February 25, at 6 p.m. at the Mattapan Branch, located at 1350 Blue Hill Avenue.
• The Grove Hall Branch holds the Kevin Harris Project jazz concert on Saturday, February 27, at 2 p.m.

To view dates, times, and more information on these and additional programs, please visit the library’s calendar.

About BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY 
Boston Public Library has a Central Library, twenty-four branches, map center, business library, and a website filled with digital content and services. Established in 1848, the Boston Public Library has pioneered public library service in America. It was the first large free municipal library in the United States, the first public library to lend books, the first to have a branch library, and the first to have a children’s room. Each year, the Boston Public Library hosts thousands of programs and serves millions of people. All of its programs and exhibitions are free and open to the public. At the Boston Public Library, books are just the beginning. To learn more, visit bpl.org.