Above, Ebony Road Players perform “The Meeting.” This play comes to Hackley Public Library February 22. Photo courtesy Christopher John Wilson.
Black History Month Events are at Hackley Public Library
BY JOSEPH ZAPPACOSTA, DIRECTOR, HACKLEY PUBLIC LIBRARY
In February, Black History Month events are here at Hackley Public Library. Come join the fun! Events are brought to the community through a generous bequest from Bess Commodore, with additional support from DTE Energy, The Friends of Hackley Public Library, WUVS 103.7 the Beat, Cumulus Broadcasting Company, and McDonald’s of Michigan.
Stay warm and cozy at Hackley Public Library and come for a LEGO building party on Saturday, February 1! All LEGO creations will go on display in HPL’s Youth Services Department. Visit with us from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 1 for LEGOs. All ages are welcome! Free to the public.
Above, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivers his famous "I Have a Dream" speech during the March on Washington.
Do you think you know your Black History? Form a group with your friends and pit your knowledge against other teams in Hackley Library’s sixth annual Black History Trivia Contest! Call Hackley Public Library at (231) 722-8011 or visit HPL’s online events calendar to register your team (up to four people per team). Teams will be asked questions on Black History. We'll have prizes for first, second, and third place teams, as well as some consolation prizes. Come to cheer on your friends and family during this trivia contest, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 1! This event is free.
Enjoy an evening of poetry during Poetry Open Mic Night at Hackley Public Library. Share your own poetry, or read works from your favorite Black History / Black Experience / African American poet. If you wish to share a poem / piece, please register by calling (231) 722-8011, or visit HPL’s online events calendar. Walk-ins are also welcome! Poetry Open Mic Night will be from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. on Monday, February 3. Additionally, from 6:00 to 6:30, those who have been selected for our annual Black History month calendar will be honored, and the calendar will be distributed. All ages are welcome for this free event.
Join us at Hackley Public Library for Storytime! During Storytime we’ll enjoy themed stories, songs, movement activities, interactive apps, and a craft! Storytime at Hackley Library will be in February on Thursday mornings at 10:30 a.m. Best for ages zero to five with a caregiver. Free to the public!
Take time to create something new and unique with a monthly craft time for families at Hackley Public Library! Activities are designed for all ages and ability levels. From 11:00 a.m. to noon on Saturday, February 8, come make your own Slime! Supplies are limited, and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. All ages are welcome! Free to the public.
Create something sweet for our Sweet Soul Food Contest at Hackley Library! Get your recipes out and find your best soul food dessert. Compete for the best in the city! Prizes will be awarded to the first, second, and third place contestants in the adult category, and to the first place winner in the children’s category. Register your dish by calling (231) 722-8011, or by visiting HPL’s online events calendar. Be sure to bring enough for attendees, plus the judge, to taste. All ages are welcome for this free event from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 8 at Hackley Library.
Embrace your creativity and make your own Black History Bracelet, in celebration of Black History Month! To register for this Hackley Craft, call Hackley Library at (231) 722-8011 or visit HPL’s online events calendar. This event will take place from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, February 10 at Hackley Library. Free to the public.
Explore LEGOs and coding during WeDo Robotics at Hackley Public Library! Instructors will be on hand to teach the group and guide individual learning with these special WeDo kits. WeDo Robotics will be from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., on February 11 and 25 at Hackley Library. Best for ages seven through 14. Free to the public!
Brighten up your home with a colorful DIY Stained Glass project at Hackley Library! Celebrate Valentine’s Day and make a stained glass window in a heart design. Registration is required and open to the first 25 registrants. Register at hackleylibrary.org, or by calling HPL’s Youth Services at (231) 722-8014. This event will be from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., on Saturday, February 15. For ages 8-plus. Free to the public.
Play and create new games in Roblox -- the largest user-generated online gaming platform! Come with your login or make a new one at this open gaming session. During this event, computers are first come first served. Best for ages nine through 14. This Roblox Mania event will be from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., on Saturday, February 22 at Hackley Public Library. Free to the public.
Above, Ebony Road Players.
Mark your calendar to watch a theater performance by the Ebony Road Players, as they present “The Meeting” during this Black History Month event. Come see this moving play depicting the supposed meeting of Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Differing in their philosophies, but alike in their mutual respect, the two men debate their varying approaches to the same grave social problems, both prepared to die for their beliefs but neither aware of how soon their assassins’ bullets await them. Don’t miss this moving play from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., on Saturday, February 22 at Hackley Library. All ages are welcome. Free to the public!
Kick off the New Year with one of of 2019’s bestselling non-fiction titles! Participate in Hackley Library’s New Year Nonfiction Book Discussion, as we discuss Becoming by Michelle Obama. Copies will be available behind the HPL reference desk one month before the discussion on a first-come, first-served basis. This discussion will take place from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., on Monday, February 24 in Hackley Library. Please bring copies back to the discussion. Call (231) 722-8000 with any questions. Free to the public!
Muskegon native Jon Covington’s documentary Black Man comes to life in a live version at Hackley Public Library! Unfolding past and present-day stories of African American men, this compelling event will showcase influential and universal stories from all walks of life. Don’t miss this riveting occasion, Jon Covington and the Men from the Documentary BLACK MAN, happening from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 29 at Hackley Library. All ages are welcome. Free to the public!
Drop into Hackley Library’s Youth Services any time after 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 29 for ribbit-ing good fun! We’re celebrating Leap Day with frog-themed crafts. All ages are welcome, and this event is free to the public. Leap into Leap Day with us at Hackley Library!
Founded in 1890, the Hackley Public Library is located in downtown Muskegon. Hackley Public Library's Main Building is located at 316 W. Webster Ave, and is open noon to 8:00 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, and 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Hackley Public Library's Local History and Genealogy in the Torrent House is located at 315 W. Webster Ave, and is open 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
The Hackley Public Library is dedicated to promoting knowledge, understanding, and wisdom, combating ignorance, intolerance, and indifference, promoting the free exchange of ideas, and conserving our national and local cultural heritage. The mission of the Hackley Public Library is to inform, inspire, and delight our diverse community by providing information, knowledge, literature, new technologies, and traditional and innovative programs. Visit them online at HackleyLibrary.org and on Facebook at HackleyPL.
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