Celebrate Black History Month with your family and Evanston Public Library
Special activities to bring the family together throughout February

Black History Month is a time to step back and more specifically acknowledge and celebrate the centuries of broad and vibrant contributions Black Americans have made to culture, the arts, politics and social justice movements. 

The Evanston Public Library is celebrating throughout the month with a special collection of family-oriented programming that celebrates the contributions of Black Americans and brings kids and families together with creative outlets for joy and expression: Here’s a look at what's happening. 

All month long: 

- Evanston Black History Scavenger Hunt. Ten hidden pictures about Black history here in Evanston. One clue sheet in your hand. How many pictures can you find? How much history will you learn? These interactive scavenger hunts dedicated to Black history across Evanston are available during opening hours at the Main Library and the Crown Branch Library. All month long. Learn more.

- Short & Sweet: Zoom, Zoom, Zoom! Take-home kit. Enjoy a short video and a sweet, simple craft for the little ones. This month we’re making a rocketship bookmark in honor of Mae Jemison, the first Black woman in space. Kits available while supplies last. Or join us for a special storytime and in-person crafting event on Feb. 26.  Learn more.

- Freedom: An Artistic Exposé for Black History and Women’s History Months. Visit the Main Library’s third floor gallery for an exhibit by artists Amatziyah Thurman, Katia Jackson, Maria Antonia Villaseñor-Marchal, and Yeefah Thurman. Thru March 31.

Special programs: 

- Feb. 1: Sci Fi & Fantasy Book Group: The Memory Librarian and Other Stories of Dirty Computer by Janelle Monáe. Immerse yourself in the written Afrofuturistic world of worldwide superstar Janelle Monáe’s Dirty Computer, based on one of her critically acclaimed albums, then dive into the discussion with our Sci Fi & Fantasy fans. Wednesday, Feb. 1, 7-8:30 p.m. online. Learn more. 

- Feb. 3: Make Your Own Cartoon Glass Painting. Learn how to paint on glass and make portraits of some iconic Black cartoon characters.  For ages 9 and up. Friday, Feb. 3, 4-5 p.m. at the Robert Crown Branch. Learn more. 

- Feb. 8: Saying Yes to Your Story: A Conversation with Kwame Alexander.  Join Illinois Libraries Present for an evening of inspiration and conversation with best-selling children’s and young adult author and poet, and thee-time NAACP Image Awards nominee Kwame Alexander. Wednesday, Feb. 8, 7-7:45 p.m. via Zoom. Learn more.

- Feb. 9: Virtual Memory Cafe: Works by Black Artists. We'll be visiting the Art Institute from the comfort of home and exploring works by Black artists. Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023, 2 p.m. via Zoom. Learn more. 

- Feb. 18: Family Sleuth Project: Black History Month Workshop. Join the African American Historical/Genealogy Study Group of Evanston in identifying African Americans who have made contributions to American history with the clues, tools and research materials sent to your family to explore together. This program is made possible through a grant from Evanston Cradle to Career. Saturday, Feb. 18, 11-1 p.m. at the Robert Crown Branch. Learn more. 

- Feb. 19: Black Family Game Night. Enjoy catering from some of Evanston’s Black-owned restaurants and participate in family-friendly competitions of Uno, Lyrically Correct, Trivia, Black Card Revoked and other games! Play as a family and win big! Sunday, Feb. 19, 5-7 p.m. at the Robert Crown Community Center. Learn more.

- Feb. 22: Freedom: An Artistic Exposé for Black History and Women’s History Months Artist Talk. Meet curator Yeefah Thurman and the artists of the exhibit and learn more about what inspired and informed their works. Wednesday, Feb. 22, 6-7:30 p.m. at the Main Library. Learn more.

- Feb. 25: Family Sleuth Project: Black History Month Workshop. Join the African American Historical/Genealogy Study Group of Evanston in identifying African Americans who have made contributions to American history with the clues, tools and research materials sent to your family to explore together. This program is made possible through a grant from Evanston Cradle to Career. Saturday, Feb. 25, 11-1 p.m. at the Robert Crown Branch. Learn more. 

- Feb. 26: Short & Sweet: Zoom, Zoom, Zoom! In-person event. Come to the library for a special story time and to make your rocketship bookmark in honor of Mae Jemison, the first Black woman in space. Sunday, Feb. 26 at 2 p.m. at the Main Library.  Learn more. 

In addition to our Black History Month library programming, you’ll find our librarians all over the Evanston community throughout the month of February, leading workshops on African dance in schools, running STEM workshops with the National Society of Black Engineers, Jr. and as part of our Cardboard Carnival with our community partners, and leading Dedicated to the Dream workshops to help families affirm all skin tones and cultures with their children. 

For more programs and events offered by the Evanston Public Library, visit www.epl.org/programs. For more on the Evanston Public Library’s work on equity and antiracism, visit www.epl.org/equity. 

EPL EXTRA
Fix that broken thing you love at an Evanston Repair Cafe

Repair cafes are free meeting spaces where people fix things together, help keep stuff out of the landfill, promote connection and collaboration, skill-sharing and community self-reliance

Give it a try! Find that broken item you never brought yourself to throw away and sign up for a slot that matches the type or repair you need. Our volunteers can generally help with small appliances and common household items, sewing and mending clothes and textiles, basic jewelry repair, bike repairs, and electronic diagnostics, and have time slots on the following schedules: 

- Second Saturday of each month (next date: Feb. 11), 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Register. 

- Every other Tuesday (next date: Feb. 14), 10 a.m. - noon. Register. 

Repair Cafes are held at EPL's Robert Crown Branch Library. Thank you to our co-sponsors, Citizens' Greener Evanston.