Pioneer Library System

February is Black History Month and the Norman Public Library is marking the occasion with a series of programs. All of the events are offered free of charge although some may require registration or a free ticket.

On Sunday, February 7, at 2 p.m. in the Children’s Area of the library, Tommy Diaz of Little Rock presents Tommy Terrific’s Wacky Magic Show. The show is a unique blend of laugh-out-loud comedy coupled with sensational magic, all combined with an educational approach that is all about having fun with books. This is a special show with a Black History Month focus. The magic works in wacky and unexpected ways, making Tommy Terrific’s Wacky Magic Show educational fun for the whole family. No registration is required.

As part of the city’s 2^nd Friday Circuit of the Arts, the library presents Jahruba, King of Storytellers/Master of Drums on Friday, February 12, at 6:30 p.m. Using hand-made drums and traditional African clothing, Jauruba combines drumming, songs, and folk tales in a Tribute to the Ancestors, his title for a state-wide 2010 Black History Month Tour. A Norman native who calls himself a modern-day Buffalo Soldier, Jahruba has been a professional musician and performer for more than 40 years, bringing African culture into schools, libraries, churches, and street festivals across the region.

On Sunday, February 14, beginning at 2 p.m., the library participates in the Twenty-first National African American Read-In. The event is sponsored by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English. The goal is for a million voices worldwide to be raised in reading aloud from works by Black authors. Featured reader at the Norman Read-In is Anastasia Pittman, District 99 Representative in the Oklahoma Legislature. The public is invited to read from their favorite works by Black authors or to select from works chosen for the occasion by Norman librarians.

Steve Beleu from the Oklahoma Department of Libraries, US Government Information Division, presents African Americans in American History at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, February 18, in the Computer Training Center of the library. Beleu will guide participants through the Library of Congress American Memory website. Included are books, manuscripts, sheet music, maps, early motion pictures, photos, and sound recordings. He will focus on resources that feature Oklahoma's African Americans. Space is limited for this presentation and registration is required. To register, call 701-2620 or take advantage of the online registration feature of the Events Calendar .

 Black History Month at the Norman Public Library ends with the Sixth Annual Crowns Tea on Sunday, February 28. This ladies-only event is a celebration of the Black tradition of the church hat, inspired by the photo essay CROWNS by Cunningham and Marberry. Entertainment during the tea is coordinated by Erica Thomas. Catering for the event is done by Legend’s of Norman with support from the Friends of the Norman Library, Pioneer Library System, Oklahoma Arts Council, and the Norman Arts Council.

Tickets for the two seatings of the Crowns Tea are available following the Read-In on Sunday, February 14. Tickets must be picked up in person at the Information Services Desk in the library and may not be reserved by phone. Due to the demand for the free tickets, a limit of four per person will be imposed.