Contact: Raquel N. Taylor

Norfolk Public Library

(757) 664-7328 ext. 341

raquel.taylor@norfolk.gov

 

 

Norfolk Public Library Observes African-American History Month with Dozens of Interactive Events

 

Norfolk, VA (January 24, 2013) – The Norfolk Public Library (NPL) will observe African-American History Month in February with dozens of interactive events that coincide with the 2013 theme, “At the Crossroads of Freedom and Equality: The Emancipation Proclamation and the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.” 2013 marks the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, President Abraham Lincoln’s executive order proclaiming all blacks enslaved in the Confederate States of America to be free.

 

It also marks the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, spearheaded by the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It was at this march on the Washington, D.C., National Mall where King delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. Visitors to NPL can participate in a Watch Night Service, view artifacts that span from the antebellum South to the days of Jim Crow, delve into an African-American genealogy research class offered by the historians at the Sargeant Memorial Collection (SMC), and meet local authors. Other events include West African drumming with musicians Robert McDonald and Papa Bote Tshieck; oral storytelling with “The Storyteller,” Dylan Pritchett; dramatic Reader’s Theater performances by Green Room Productions; and an avant-garde concert with the Elliott Family String Quartet. NPL encourages you to explore black history and the African-American experience by attending our events, browsing our recommended book list, and visiting the SMC at the Mary D. Pretlow Anchor Branch Library. All library events are free and open to the public. For a complete listing of events, go online to www.npl.lib.va.us.

 

 

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About Norfolk Public Library: The Norfolk Public Library offers access to information, books, programs, and online resources to meet the needs of our diverse community for life-long learning. The library system consists of one main library, ten branch libraries, one anchor branch library, and a Bookmobile. All programs are FREE of charge. Visit www.npl.lib.va.us or call us at (757) 664-READ for more information.

NPL- Creating a City of Readers.