It’s another busy month at the East Lansing Public Library! Check out some of the programs and resources we’re featuring in February.
Featured: Black History Month
February is Black History Month! We were thrilled to host the nationally acclaimed Black History 101 Mobile Museum to the library on January 30 to get us started. Founded by Dr. Khalid el-Hakim, this is an award-winning collection of 10,000+ original artifacts related to Black history. For this visit, Dr. el-Hakim presented the exhibition "Hip Hop at 50," exploring the power of hip-hop through the years as an agent of self-expression, activism, education, and culture.
You can learn more about Dr. el-Hakim's visit with the Black History 101 Mobile Museum, as reported on by these news outlets:
WILX: ‘You can’t hide the truth’ - Traveling Black History Mobile Museum visits East Lansing
As we continue through the month, we continue to have programs for all ages: movie showings for kids and teens, scholarly discussions for adults, and more! Throughout the month, teens can also participate in a scavenger hunt to learn about famous figures in Black history, through their own words! Check our events page at elpl.org for a list of all upcoming programs.
ELPL is partnering with the East Lansing High School Black Student Union to host a natural hair care drive. Starting February 6, drop off donations of new haircare supplies (specifically for afro-textured hair) at the library, including items like shampoos and conditioners, moisturizers, durable hairbrushes and picks, silk and satin bonnets and durags, and more. At the end of the month, we’ll distribute everything to women’s shelters in the Greater Lansing area. Learn more on our blog.
Lastly, we’ve put together some recommended reading lists and book displays. Whether you’re looking to learn more about Black history and current social justice issues through thoughtful non-fiction, or whether you’re reading for fun and celebrating current Black authors and illustrators, we’ve got you covered. Here are just a few of the lists we've compiled:
Teen Reads: Celebrating Black Voices in Graphic Novels
Do you know? | East Lansing Public Library | BiblioCommons
Celebrating Black History Month | East Lansing Public Library | BiblioCommons
You can watch our staff talk more about Black History Month at the library below:
Featured: ELPL is Turning 100 in March!
On March 11 from 11am-2pm, we’re having a centennial birthday party with live music, face painting, special Maker Studio activities, a visit with a firetruck, and more! David Andrews of WILX-TV10 will be our host for the comments portion of the program. Stop by for a slice of cake and celebrate!
In addition to the birthday party, we’re planning other festivities all year round. Join us for the Centennial Book Club, which reads a book published from each decade of the last 100 years - our next meeting is February 27 with Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God. You can also look forward to special reading challenges, a history mini-series on our social media, and more.
Featured: AARP Tax Help
ELPL is once again partnering with the AARP to provide tax assistance appointments this year! Beginning February 7th, we will be accepting appointments here at the library. Appointments will be available between 10:15am and 11:00am on Tuesdays and Wednesdays until April 12th. If you would like to know more about the tax help program, or if you would like to schedule an appointment for tax help, please call the library at 517-351-2420.
Featured: February Programs
Check out what’s happening this month at the library!
- MiLibraryQuest (teens): February 1-28
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- MiLibraryQuest is a series of statewide virtual quests for teens! The Winter 2023 Quest “A Perilous Journey” is Dungeons & Dragons inspired: a great evil has been awakened in the world and we need help to restore balance! Teens can sign up at milibraryquest.wixsite.com/quest1.
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Family History Workshop: Exploring the 1950 US Census (adults): Monday, February 6, 6:30-8pm
- Learn more about how to identify yourself or family members in the recently-released 1950 census! We'll discuss where to look online and learn more about enumeration districts. Please register at elpl.org.
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Black History Month Movie Showings (kids and teens): Mondays, 4:15-6:15pm
- February 6: Into the Spider-Verse
- February 13: Black Panther
- February 27: Cinderella (1997)
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Muslim Journeys - The Great Muslim American Road Trip (adults): Monday, February 13, 7-8pm
- Join us for a scholar-led discussion! We’ll screen an episode of the PBS Series The Great Muslim American Road Trip. The episode, A Bridge Over Troubled Waters: Tulsa to Albuquerque, explores the experiences of African-American Muslims.
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Robot Day (all ages): Saturday, February 18, 11am-1pm
- Drop in for an open-house style event with hands-on activities, demonstrations, and crafts, all centered on robots!
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Jane Grace Memorial Youth Poetry Workshop (kids): Tuesday, February 21, 6-7:30pm
- Led by local poet Cindy Hunter Morgan, kids will explore poetry and write some of their own! Please register at elpl.org.
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Quilt Art of Gee’s Bend (kids): Thursday, February 23, 7-8pm
- We’ll learn about the history of the quilt art of Gee’s Bend, and create some art inspired by what we learn.
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Centennial Book Club (adults): Monday, February 27, 7-8:30pm
- This month we’re discussing Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston (1930s).
Up and Coming Dates:
- The library will be closed Friday, February 20 for Presidents’ Day.
Catch ELPL Next Month:
Be on the lookout for more excitement in March! ELPL will be sharing featured reading lists, book displays, and programs throughout the month. Some of the library programs will include:
- 100th Birthday Party!
- Spartan Science Seminar Series
- Youth Poetry Workshops
- Author Talks
- And more!
Add a comment to: February 2023 Newsletter: Black History Month, Centennial Birthday, and More!