The Virginia Beach and Norfolk public libraries are offering free events in February to celebrate Black History Month. Some events require an RSVP.
To see all Virginia Beach Public Library events, click here.
Bayside Special Services Library | 936 Independence Blvd.
Black History Month puppet show – Saturday, Feb. 11 from 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Listen to a black history presentation with puppets and while making crafts. This event is open to all ages and no registration is required.
Meyera Oberndorf Central Library | 4100 Virginia Beach Blvd.
African American film series: “More than a Month” – Sunday, Feb. 12 from 3-4:30 p.m.
A film by director Shukree Hassan Tilghman is on a national campaign to end Black History Month, which he says relegates a group’s history in a post-racial America. A discussion with Virginia Beach History Museum members will follow. The event is open to teens, adults and no registration is required.
African American film series: “Freedom Summer” – Sunday, Feb. 19 from 3-4:30 p.m.
Watch a film about 700 student volunteers from Virginia who organized in 1964 in an effort to shatter foundations of white supremacy. A discussion with Virginia Beach History Museum members will follow. The event it open to teens, adults and no registration is required.
African American Film Series: “The Road to Brown” – Sunday, Feb. 26 from 3-4:30 p.m.
Watch a film that focuses on Brown v. Board of Education and black lawyer Charles Hamilton Houston, also knows as “the man who killed Jim Crow.” A discussion with Virginia Beach History Museum members will follow. The event it open to teens, adults and no registration is required.
Joint Use Library | Corner of Rosemont Road and Faculty Boulevard
Fun math – Saturday, Feb. 11 from 2:30-3:30 p.m.
A workshop that explores African American history and investigates time and money concepts. This event is open to children from grades 3 to 5 and registration is required.
Kempsville Area Library | 832 Kempsville Road
Homeschool Discovery Days – Tuesday, Feb. 28 from 2-3 p.m.
A chance to share, read and discuss books relevant to Black History Month, followed by an art activity. This event is open to children from kindergarten to grade 5 and registration is required.
Windsor Woods Area Library | 3612 South Plaza Trail
African American History Month Celebration – Saturday, Feb. 25 from 12-2 p.m.
A celebration of black history with crafts, music and other activities. This event is open to all ages and doesn’t require registration.
To see all Norfolk Public Library events, click here.
Van Wyck Branch Library | 1368 De Bree Ave.
Story time: African folklore and oral histories – Wednesday, Feb. 8 from 10:30-11 a.m.,
Listen to folklore tales and oral histories from different cultures in Africa. A craft making session will follow. The event is open to pre-school and school age children, and no registration is required.
Movie: “And the Children shall Lead” – Tuesday, Feb. 7 from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Watch a film about children persuading their parents to change their opinions about race in a segregated town. This event is open to all ages and doesn’t require registration.
Movie: “Mighty Times: The Children’s March” – Thursday, Feb. 23 from 3-5:30 p.m.
Watch a film about youth in Birmingham, Ala. who braved fire hoses and police dogs in 1963 in an attempt to crush segregation.
Larchmont Branch Library | 6525 Hampton Blvd.
Movie: “Roots” – Thursday, Feb. 2, Feb. 9, Feb. 16 and Feb. 23 from 12-3 p.m.
Watch Alex Haley’s film “Roots,” which depicts the story of an African American family throughout American history. Refreshments will be served. This event is open to adults and no registration is required.
Puppet show: “The Closing of Norfolk Schools in 1958” – Thursday, Feb. 9 from 5:30-7 p.m.
Watch a dramatization about a historical Norfolk event. This event is open to all ages and no registration is required.
Jordan-Newby Branch Library | 961 Park Ave.
Reader’s Theater: Rosa Parks – Thursday, Feb. 9 from 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Listen to stories about historic civil rights movement key player Rosa Parks. This event is open to all ages and no registration is required.
Barron F. Black Branch Library | 6700 E Tanners Creek Drive
African American Artists Workshop – Thursday, Feb. 9 from 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Learn about African American artists Romare Bearden and Alma Thomas, and make your own artwork afterwards. This event is open to children, teenagers and doesn’t require registration.
Slover Library | 235 E Plume St.
African American History Month opening celebration – Saturday, Feb. 4 from 3-5 p.m.
Enjoy refreshments and entertainment while Mayor Kenneth Alexander addresses the crowd and honors Young African American Leaders of Tomorrow award winners. This event is open to all ages and doesn’t require registration.
African American inventor series – Thursday, Feb. 2, Feb. 9, Feb. 16 and Feb. 23 from 3:30-5 p.m.
A four-week series that explores African American inventors. Participants can re-create their own craft versions of the inventions each workshop will focus on. This event is open to elementary and middle school aged children. No registration is required.
African American cinematic collection series: “Something for REEL People: The Black Perspective” – Saturday, Feb. 4 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Watch the film “Something for REEL People: The Black Perspective.” This event is open to adults and no registration is required.
Third annual African American trailblazers honors program – Sunday, Feb. 5 from 3-4 p.m.
Norfolk Public Library will honor eight distinguished African American trailblazers. This event is open for all ages and doesn’t require registration.
Third annual African American artists exhibit – Thursday, Feb. 16 through Sunday, Feb. 19 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
View mixed media artwork from Hampton Roads artists. This event is open for all ages and doesn;t require registration.
25th annual African American History Month quiz bowl – Saturday, Feb. 25 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Compete in a Jeopardy-style match with questions about African American history. The event is open to all ages and registration isn’t required.
Mary D. Pretlow Anchor Branch Library | 111 W Ocean View Ave.
The Lemon Project: A study of Slavery and Jim Crow at The College of William and Mary – Saturday, Feb. 18 at 2 p.m.
Recent studies examine The College of William and Mary’s role in perpetuation slavery and racial discrimination. This presentation will look at the college’s history in relation to these topics. The event is open for all ages and doesn’t require registration.
