Black History Month programs at the library

Submitted by Janet W. Loveless
Assistant Library Director
Nassau County Public Library
January 20, 2016 2:32 p.m.

Library-PDFIn celebration of Black History Month, the Fernandina Beach Branch Library will once again host the National African American Read-In on Monday, February 1st from 6-8 pm in the Library Community Room. The public is invited to attend and may participate by bringing a 1-2 minute reading from any material written by an African American: poetry, speeches, fiction, nonfiction, etc. The National African American Read-In is the nation’s first and oldest event dedicated to diversity in literature. It was established in 1990 by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English to make literacy a significant part of Black History Month. Join in and become a part of this initiative that has reached more than 5.5 million participants around the world. This event is sponsored by The Friends of the Fernandina Beach Library, The Association for the Study and Preservation of African American History in Nassau County and the Nassau County Public Library System.

The Rosenwald film, by Aviva Kempner will be shown on Monday, February 22 at 6 pm in the Library Community Room. From the National Center for Jewish Film:

“Rosenwald is the incredible story of Julius Rosenwald, who never finished high school, but rose to become the President of Sears. Influenced by the writings of the educator, Booker T. Washington, this Jewish philanthropist joined forces with African-American communities during the Jim Crow South to build over 5,300 schools during the early part of the 20th century.” Peck High School is one of the Rosenwald Schools. Funding for this film screening is provided by the City’s Historic Preservation Trust Fund, the Nassau County Public Library System, and local citizens. The program is free and open to the public.

For more information concerning these events, please call the Fernandina Beach Branch Library at 904-277-7365.