Libraries throughout Alachua County are celebrating Black History Month.
Each of the 12 libraries participating have events and contests for both children and adults.
Nickie Kortus, the marketing and public relations manager of the Alachua County Library District, said it’s all about engaging the community.
“These programs bring history to life so people can participate and not just read about it,” Kortus said.
The Tower Road Library Branch is hosting a reenactment of the Buffalo Soldiers, including horses and actors, Feb. 20 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
“I think it’s an opportunity to learn about the history and how it relates to your community,” Kortus said.
The Cone Park Library Branch will host Patricia Hilliard-Nunn, a UF African American Studies professor, to share oral histories collected from local senior African-Americans.
“Oral history has always been very important within African-American culture,” Diane Johnson, the manager of the Cone Park branch, said. “We are keeping that tradition alive.”
The branch will also host an “Every Child Should Have a Book” event Feb. 17 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Cone Park staff members will read from books the library selected and give a copy to each child who attends.
“The books that staff will be reading from will feature African-Americans or be written by African-Americans,” Johnson said.
The Cone Park branch started participating in the celebration when it opened in December 2013.
“We are excited to participate in the celebration of Black History Month,” Johnson said.
Contact Meryl Kornfield at mkornfield@alligator.org and follow her on Twitter @MerylKornfield.
