By Amber Covington

Rowan Public Library

February is a month dedicated to celebrating African-American history and is most notably known as Black History Month.

As a child, I always enjoyed learning history. My mother is deeply involved in helping youth find a voice in this world and she always encouraged our youth group to participate in the annual black history events in the community.

Usually during the month of February, I spent several days researching special people that made an impact on Earth and found some truly inspiring individuals that have made a huge impact on my life.  

For me, this was the beginning of learning to use my local public library and home library to gather information to create a short presentation to share during our special black history events in my hometown.

One of my first experiences was reciting poetry written by the leader of the Harlem Renaissance, Langston Hughes. “Dressed Up” is a poem that details the simple task of having clothes cleaned to go with a new hat and shoes. However, the mental state of the person in the poem does not change.

Hughes is known for sharing the story of the everyday life of African Americans who lived during his time period. This poem landed me in second place for our local 4-H talent show and gave me the opportunity to speak for the first time in front of a large crowd of people I did not know.

 Consider sharing poetry with others by presenting a poem to an audience or reading for pleasure this February. My childhood recitation of “Dressed Up” will always remind me of my beginnings of learning about my culture through others who lived before me. Many other African American poems are available online through NC Live at no cost to library card holders.

 For your research needs or pleasure reading, check out two databases called “African American Poetry” and “Twentieth-Century African American Poetry.” These resources provide descriptions and a direct link to the poetry of African American poets published from 1760 to present day.

“African American Poetry” contains about 3,000 poems from writers who lived in the North and South, rural and urban backgrounds, and a wide-range of educational backgrounds. It includes the works of Phillis Wheatley, James Monroe Whitfield, Paul Laurence Dunbar, George Moses Horton, Jupiter Hammon and many others.

“Twentieth-Century African American Poetry” shares almost 9,000 poems by 62 notable poets including  Hughes, James Weldon Johnson, Jean Toomer, Imamu Amiri Baraka, Audre Lorde and Rita Dove. Check out these databases at NC Live by visiting www.nclive.org and search for “African American Poetry” and “Twentieth-Century African American Poetry.”

Dr. Seuss Scavenger Hunt: Headquarters, through Feb. 28. Join us in celebrating Dr. Seuss’s birthday with a scavenger hunt featuring your favorite Dr. Seuss characters. Children who complete the hunt will be entered into a contest for a prize. For more information, call 704-216-8234.

Be My Valentine: East, through Feb. 28. Spread the love to different areas in the library with a Valentine’s Day Scavenger Hunt. Participants will be entered in a contest for a literary-themed prize. For more information, contact Tammie at 704-216-7842.

STEAM into Adventure: Headquarters, Feb. 16, 11 a.m. Perform hands-on STEAM experiments. This STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) program is geared for ages 6 to 11. For more details, call 704-216-7229.

Book mini-golf: Headquarters, Tuesday, 4-5:30 p.m.; East, Thursday, 4-5 p.m. Teens are invited to try to sink a hole-in-one in this twist on the classic game. Questions? Call 704-216-8258.

Chapter Chats: East, meetings resume Feb. 12, 5:15-6 p.m. Weekly book club for teens 14-17, intended primarily for participants with developmental or intellectual disabilities, though all are welcome. For more details, contact Tammie at 704-216-7842.

Blind Date with a Book: East, through Feb. 28. Life is full of surprises. All ages are welcome to experience the mystery of checking out an unknown book and discovering what’s under the wrapping. For more details, call 704-216-7842.

Lunch at the Library: East, Feb. 15, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Enjoy a clean, Wi-Fi-accessible, peaceful place to enjoy your lunch. The East Branch meeting room will be open. Lunch not provided, but tables, chairs and ambiance supplied. While in the library, check out upcoming programs and free resources. For more details, call 704-216-7840.

February book discussion: Headquarters, Feb. 12, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Learn about the past experiences of John Lewis by reading “March: Book One.” Published in 2013, this graphic novel grasps readers from middle school ages to adult. Learn about the 1960s Civil Rights movement that changed the landscape of the South. All may attend and join the discussion, even if they have not read the book in advance. Limited copies of the book are available for check out. To reserve a copy, please call 704-216-8242 or email Amber.Covington@rowancountync.gov.

Makerspace: DIY, 3D painting; headquarters, Feb. 15, 10-11:30 a.m. Learn how to make a design using 3D modeling software Tinkercad to design a 3D model and print your creation during open sessions. Sessions are available for people of all ages. Please register online, by phone at 704-216-8242, or by emailing Amber.Covington@rowancountync.gov

Classic Cinema Series: “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,” Feb. 15, East, 2 p.m. Enjoy a free showing of the 1942 film (G, 105 min.). While the series is part of Adult Outreach Services and is designed for retired individuals, this free event is open to the public, all ages welcome. For more details, call 704-216-7842.

Displays: Headquarters, log cabins by North Hills Christian School; East, Sherlock Holmes by Cathy Woods; South, student art from Corriher-Lipe Middle School art classes.

Literacy: Call the Rowan County Literacy Council at 704-216-8266 for more information on teaching or receiving literacy tutoring for English speakers or for those for whom English is a second language.