Black History Month

Black lives and Black history matter all year long. We encourage you to browse our Black Voices book and movie lists.

During Black History Month, we invite you to attend the events listed below as we learn and commemorate the heritage month as a community.

Past Events


Family Book Club: Big

Thursday, February 29, 2024, 6:30 pm

In this book discussion for kids in grades K-4 and an accompanying grown-up, we'll read and discuss our book and then play a book-related game or create a craft together.

Praised for acting like a big girl when she is small, as a young girl grows, "big" becomes a word of criticism, until the girl realizes that she is fine just the way she is.

Find Big by Vashti Harrison in the library catalog.


Pages through History: Agent Josephine--American Beauty, French Hero, British Spy

Wednesday, February 28, 2024, 7:00 pm

Author Damien Lewis tells the story of Josephine Baker, the dancer from St. Louis who became Paris’s greatest vedette, and who risked everything for her adopted country.

They called her “The Jazz Cleopatra.” Being an international celebrity might seem a serious impediment to success as a spy, but Josephine Baker knew how to hide in plain sight, making herself the center of attention while concealing what really mattered; she’d probably been doing it her whole life.

Find Agent Josephine: American Beauty, French Hero, British Spy in the library catalog.

This is a hybrid event with the option to participate in person or on Zoom. Online participants will receive the Zoom link in their confirmation email.

If you have questions about this event after registration has closed, please email the events team or call the library at 847-673-7774.

Limited to 24 in-person participants.


Iconic: Celebrating Black Superheroes

Sunday, February 25, 2024, 2:00 pm

Discover and discuss black superheroes across different comic universes, on paper and on the screen.

Limited to 20 teens.


LitLounge--Kindred: Online Event

Wednesday, February 14, 2024, 7:30 pm

Octavia E. Butler's time traveling masterpiece follows Dana James, a young Black woman who is suddenly and inexplicably transported from her home in 1970s California to the pre–Civil War South.

Kindred can be checked out through all library eBook platforms, including Hoopla, where copies are always available.

This discussion is in collaboration with Morton Grove Public Library.

You will receive the Zoom link in your confirmation email. If you have questions about this event after registration has closed, email the events team or call the library at 847-673-7774.


Morning Movie: Soul

Wednesday, February 14, 2024, 10:00 am

In this Oscar-winning animated feature, a New York City middle school music teacher whose soul gets separated from his body must find a way to get it back or miss his big break to join a jazz band.

Starring Jamie Foxx and Tina Fey.

2020 -- 100 minutes -- Rated PG for thematic elements and some language -- Animation, Drama

Find Soul in the library catalog.

Watch the trailer for Soul.


Friday Film: Southside with You

Friday, February 9, 2024, 6:30 pm

Shot on location in Chicago, this romantic drama depicts the first date between Barack Obama and Michelle Robinson in 1989.

Starring Tika Sumpter and Parker Sawyers.

2016 -- 84 minutes -- Rated PG-13; for brief strong language, smoking, a violent image and a drug reference -- Biopic, Romance

Find Southside with You in the library catalog.

Watch the trailer for Southside with You.


Friday Film: Southside with You

Friday, February 9, 2024, 1:30 pm

Shot on location in Chicago, this romantic drama depicts the first date between Barack Obama and Michelle Robinson in 1989.

Starring Tika Sumpter and Parker Sawyers.

2016 -- 84 minutes -- Rated PG-13; for brief strong language, smoking, a violent image and a drug reference -- Biopic, Romance

Find Southside with You in the library catalog.

Watch the trailer for Southside with You.