Contact: Betty Valdés, 240-777-0017

For Immediate Release: January 18, 2002

Montgomery County Public Libraries
Celebrate Black History Month

Programs celebrating Black History Month will be held at various branches of the Montgomery County Public Libraries. The following free programs are among those that have been scheduled:

Tuesday, January 29 - Wheaton Library. Lecture, book signing, and reception for adults, featuring Dr. Ivan Van Sertima, author of "They Came Before Columbus." Co-sponsored by the African American Employees Association and Montgomery College. 6:30 p.m. RSVPs required; call 301-229-8699.

Wednesday, February 13 - Kensington Park. Jamal Koram, The Story Man, one of the nation's leading storytellers, returns to Kensington Park with a dynamic, family-oriented performance of stories featuring audience participation. 7 p.m.

Wednesday, February 13 - Silver Spring Library. Rhythmic Legacies, a tribute to African-American Heritage Month through dance, music, storytelling, and poetry, suitable for ages five and above, performed by the Erika Thimey Dance & Theater Company, Inc. Sponsored by the Silver Spring Friends of the Library. 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, February 14 -Twinbrook Library. A special after-school program featuring Baba Jamal Koram, the Story Man, well-known Washington-area storyteller offering colorful, family-oriented stories, drum playing, and audience participation. 4:30 p.m.

Saturday, February 16 - Aspen Hill Library. Stories From African American History. Doris Tarpley, beloved retired children's librarian, will return with stories from her repertoire of family-oriented tales, plus share some memorabilia. 2 p.m.

During February, the Detention Center Library will celebrate Black History Month with an essay contest for inmates, sponsored by the Inmate Advisory Committee.

For additional information, contact or visit the nearest local library, log on to www.montgomerylibrary.org, or call Telephone Reference/Language Line at 240-777-0001. TTY users call Maryland Relay at 711.