February is Black History Month! We have reading recommendations, events, and online resources that can help you celebrate African American heritage and history this month and year round.

Displays & Recommended Reading

Come to the library and peruse our displays for all ages during February. Our librarians have also curated lists of titles for adults, children & families, and teens that you can view through our online catalog.

→Follow us on TikTok for weekly suggested reading lists.

Library Events

Sit On Down

Saturday, February 3: 11-11:45 am
Families: Join us for folk & fairytales from the African Diaspora and other lesser known tales presented by Kelly Campos! Signup required for each person attending. 
Sign up

Illinois Libraries Present: Jerry Craft – Virtual Event 

Tuesday, February 6: 7-8 pm
American cartoonist Jerry Craft will show you how to draw your own comics at this virtual event. Includes fun for the whole family! Signup required. 
Sign up to attend virtually

Too Good to Be Missed Book Group – Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward 

Wednesday, February 14: 1:30-2:30 pm
Genre: Magical Realism, Literary | Led by: Rosemarie | Drop-in event
Participants can grab a copy of the book being discussed one month before the discussion date at the Adult Reference Desk, or check out a copy through Libby.
More Info

The Life of Bessie Coleman

Sunday, February 18: 2-3 pm
Bessie Coleman, portrayed by her great niece Gigi Coleman, shares her experiences leading her to becoming the first African American woman to earn a pilot’s license. Signup required. 
Sign up

Online Resources

Hoopla is offering a collection of eBooks, eAudiobooks, music, and movies for all ages that focuses on notable black icons and history.

Kanopy: Join us in honoring Black History Month with this collection of narrative and documentary films on Kanopy.

Ancestry Library Edition
Ancestry is the world’s largest collection of online family history records. The Library Edition provides census records from 1790-1930; birth, marriage, and death records; immigration records; vital and church records; military records; and court, land, and probate records. You must visit the library to use this resource.

HeritageHub
Explore your family history with the premier collection of U.S. obituaries and death notices for in-depth genealogical research from 1704–today. HeritageHub helps you easily identify relatives, uncover new information, and potentially find unknown family members.