Black History Month at the Local Library and Online

Peachtree Corners Branch Library, virtual and throughout the system

Black History Month activities for the whole family will be offered at the Peachtree Corners Library throughout Black History Month.

Among them is a program called “Discover the Underground Railroad Codes in Quilt Blocks.”
“Participants in the program will learn about why the quilting squares were made and what the symbols meant,” said the program’s planner, Library Assistant Janet Martin.

“When runaway slaves left familiar territory, they needed signals to direct them through unknown areas to freedom. They needed directions, places to hide, places to stay, warnings of hunters in the area, and people to help them along the way,” Martin said. “These squares were a map used to highlight the way north. The participants in our library program will work together to make a quilt out of paper to display in our branch, showing how they would direct someone to escape on the underground railroad.”

Also on the Peachtree Corners Branch schedule:

■ Thursday, Feb. 10, 10:30 a.m. Preschool Storytime. This week’s story time is focused on the life and music of Louis Armstrong.
■ Saturday, Feb. 12, 1 p.m. Self Portrait Collages: Inspired by Deborah Roberts. Create a self-portrait in the style of artist Deborah Roberts.
■ Feb. 6-12. Discover the Underground Railroad Codes in Quilt Blocks. Children will be taught about the Underground Railroad and invited to make their own coded quilt blocks.
■ Feb. 13-19. Black Inventor Stations. Children will be introduced to Black inventors and their inventions and provided with a corresponding craft.
■ Feb. 20-26. Black History Scavenger Hunt. Children will be introduced to prominent Black people through a scavenger hunt with clues. Each child will receive a small prize when the completed list is returned to the staff.
For more information, visit the library’s events page at gwinnettpl.org.

Around the library system

Here’s a sampling of other Black History Month programs that will be offered in other Gwinnett County library branches or online. Find them on the events page at gwinnetpl.org.
■ Tuesday, Feb. 1, 10 a.m. The Black Power Movement: Reconsidered. This program is described as a “short look at one of the most misinterpreted, misunderstood, and least discussed parts of the Civil Rights Era.” Virtual.
■ Saturday, Feb. 5. 1 p.m. “The Imperfect Storm: Racism & a Pandemic Collide in America: How It Impacted Public Education and How to Fix It.” James A. Taylor, Ph.D., and Wandy W. Taylor, Ed.D. discuss their book. Lilburn Branch.
■ Monday, Feb. 7, all day. Black History Month Virtual Escape Room. Test your knowledge and learn about Black History Month as you solve clues to escape the virtual room.
■ Monday, Feb. 7, 6 p.m. Healthy Meals on a Budget: Black History Month Edition. Join a deep dive into healthy eating recipes such as okra and sweet potato gumbo. Lawrenceville Branch.
■ Tuesday, Feb. 8, 6 p.m. Pajama Storytime: Black History Month. This evening story time celebrates African American culture and heritage. Duluth Branch.

■ Saturday, Feb. 19, 11 a.m. Trace Your Roots: African American Genealogy. Learn how to start your research. Buford-Sugar Hill Branch.
■ Monday, Feb. 21, 5 p.m. Black Superheroes Showcase. All-ages event with games and activities celebrating Black superheroes. Lawrenceville Branch.

■ Friday, Feb. 25, 5 p.m. Page Turners: Diverse Book Club. Check out an online series designed to illustrate the importance of treating others with respect and dignity through diverse books. This week: “As Brave as You,” by Jason Reynolds. Virtual.

■ Saturday, Feb. 26, 11 a.m. Black History Month: Katherine Johnson and Apollo 13. Learn about the mathematician Katherine Johnson and how her calculation helped save Apollo 13. Five Forks Branch.
■ Monday, Feb. 28, 2 p.m. Rightfully So!: Exploring the Encyclopedia of Human Rights. Each month a topic found in the Encyclopedia of Human Right
is examined. Virtual.