Teens Only | In Honor of....

Black History Month....a couple of things to share on this Saturday afternoon.

Cesar Chavez Central Library Display

First of all, stop by the Cesar Chavez Central Library soon to view one of the most eye-catching displays you'll ever see. My colleague Kelly has put together three displays for Black History Month. They feature a collage of well-known -- and lesser known -- African Americans. Customers have stopped and spent some serious time appreciating the pictures, captions....and more importantly, the contributions of these many people. So don't miss it. Seriously.

And next, mark your calendar! Producer/director Tyrone Young will be at the Cesar Chavez Central Library on Monday, February 25th, to talk about his movie: "Filling the Gap: A Forgotten Chapter of American History." This program is part of the Live from Cesar Chavez! series, a collaboration of the Library & Literacy Foundation for San Joaquin County and the library. The movie was nominated for the NAACP Image Award and explores the lives of people who black history has forgotten. The movie will be shown at 5 pm, and then Mr. Young will speak and answer questions beginning at 6:30 pm. That's Monday, the 25th. You'll be inspired and captivated by Mr. Young's story. (And we'll have copies added to the library collection soon, so make sure to check one out!)

And FYI, University of the Pacific will also show this movie on Sunday, February 24th at 7 pm in the Janet Leigh Theatre. Mr. Young will also host a Q&A session after the movie showing. This program is free and open to the public.

By the way, just how good is your knowledge of black history? Let's just give it a little try....shall we?

1. Who was the first African American to play baseball in the major leagues?

2. Who was the first African American in space?

3. This famous musician learned to play the trumpet while living at the Colored Waif's Home for Boys. Who was he?

4. Before growing up to be a famous neurosurgeon, this person was required -- by his mother -- to read two library books a week and prepare reports on them. And his mother couldn't read! Who was he?

Check back here for the answers. In the meantime, visit any SSJCPL branch library and check out books on Black History.