Ferry Ave. Library Branch to Celebrate Black History with Three Programs

Film series, panel discussion and living history enactment featured in February

“Their Eyes Were Watching God” will be one of the titles featured in a special film series at the Riletta L. Cream Ferry Ave. Branch Library in observance of Black History Month.]

VOORHEES, NJ – Jan. 10, 2012 – The Camden County Library System will observe Black History Month with three programs scheduled at its Riletta L. Cream Ferry Ave. branch in February.

African American Film Series (adults)

Starting with a four-part African American Film Series, the library will screen a selection of titles depicting the struggle and achievements of African Americans. On four successive Thursday evenings starting at 6 p.m. the public can sign up to watch “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner”, Feb. 2; “Tuskegee Airmen”, Feb. 9; “Their Eyes Were Watching God”, Feb. 16; and “Precious”, Feb. 23

Writers of the Harlem Renaissance (adults)

“Writers of the Harlem Renaissance” will be the topic of a panel discussion focused on Langston Hughes, Jessie Fauset and other writers from this period of American History on Saturday, Feb. 4 at 2 p.m.

During the 1920s and 1930s in Harlem New York City, an awakening of race consciousness and artistic progression took place. This declaration of African-American independence became known as the Harlem Renaissance, the Negro Renaissance or the New Negro movement. Join Dr. Wayne Glasker and Professor Ewuare Osayande of Rutgers University - Camden to celebrate and explore the Harlem Renaissance.

Living History: Harriet Tubman (families)

The Camden County Cultural and Heritage Commission offers a live Harriet Tubman enactment that promises to be entertaining as well as educational at the library on Saturday, Feb. 11 at 2 p.m.

Actor Millicent Sparks will portray Harriet Tubman who became the most famous “conductor” of the Underground Railroad to aid enslaved Africans escaping to the free states or Canada.

Registration for any of the programs is available by calling 856-342-9789 or through SIGNUP on the Web at www.camdencountylibrary.org/events .

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Established in 1921, Camden County Library System seeks to meet the recreational, informational and educational needs of its customers with locations in Bellmawr, Camden, Gloucester Township, Haddon Township, Merchantville, Winslow Township and Voorhees.   The Library is governed and supported by the Camden County Board of Freeholders and the Camden County Library Commission.

 

 

South County Branch Celebrates "Rocky Stories"

Join Pulitzer Prize winners Michael Vitez and Tom Gralish of The Philadelphia Inquirer on Dec. 7, 7 p.m. at the South County Regional Branch Library (directions) to discuss their book “Rocky Stories: Tales of Love, Hope and Happiness at America’s Most Famous Steps.”

The book documents a year which Gralish and Vitez spent at the Art Museum steps capturing stories of “Rocky Runners” from around the world who came to run up the steps just as Rocky had 30 years ago.

The stories from the book show how the movie may be what brings people but for each person running up the steps celebrates their own lives dreams and accomplishments.

Michael Vitez, a 20-year veteran staff writer for The Philadelphia Inquirer won the Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Journalism in 1997, for his series that chronicled the experiences of five people nearing death. Vitez also taught writing and Journalism at The University of Pennsylvania and Princeton.

Tom Gralish received the John F. Kennedy Journalism Award and the Pulitzer Prize for Feature Photography in 1986 for his photo essay on the homeless. Gralish, who came to the Inquirer in 1983, now publishes a weekly photo column that documents everyday life in neighborhoods around Philadelphia. 

For more information on the book visit http://rockystories.com