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Celebrate Juneteenth with The Library
Juneteenth commemorates the abolition of slavery in the United States. It is also known as Emancipation Day and Juneteenth Independence Day. Juneteenth was declared a federal holiday in 2021, and it is observed on June 19. To learn more about this historic event, search “Juneteenth” in the catalog. The Library is brimming with books and other resources just waiting to be discovered and explored.
Juneteenth Activities
Spice Grill
Taste of Black-Owned Businesses
Monday, June 12
5:00 p.m.
Madeline L. Olewine Memorial Library
This event, for the entire family, will give you a “taste” of insider information, delicious foods, and refreshing beverages. Bring your questions with you to learn about starting and running a business from different generations of black-owned business owners. The first 30 minutes will include a Q&A session in the children’s room of The Library. Following you will sample different foods and beverages from our panelists and ask additional questions one-on-one while you enjoy culinary treats.
Joining the discussion will be: Jeremy Davenport, Spicegrill Caterers; Cecilia Davis, Cece’s Cake Shop; Reign and Taij Saunders, Reign & Taij’s Homemade Lemonade; Tee Saunders; The Cake Lady
Juneteenth Stepping Stones Storytimes with Special Guest Readers!
Tuesday, June 20 - Saturday, June 24
View the complete Stepping Stones to Milestones schedule
Throughout the system
The Library is delighted to welcome very special guest readers for our Juneteenth Storytimes Celebration!
"All Different Now" StoryWalk on the Capital Area Greenbelt on Paxtang Parkway
Saturday, June 12 - Saturday, June 24
Get the whole family out to take a walk on the Capital Area Greenbelt and make sure you visit Paxtang Parkway to read the All Different Now StoryWalk for some good Juneteenth discussion with young children.
MARCO at Juneteenth Jubilee
Sunday, June 18
12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Harrisburg Area Community College
Visit MARCO at Young Professionals of Color #JuneteenthHBG 2023 Jubilee! Join us for kids and family activities, giveaways, and of course bubbles for all. Make sure to visit the Juneteenth for Mazie StoryWalk for some good discussion with young children.
FREE and open to everyone
Teen Open Mic Night - Juneteenth Poetry Slam
Friday, June 16
6:00 p.m.
What does Juneteenth mean to you? Come show your stuff in a poetry slam style show where we explore the complexities of Juneteenth and celebrate our diverse community together.
2 hours.
The Library partners with Kindred Spirits Genealogy Workshop Group
Saturday, June 17
Hands-On Computer Workshop
Civil War Museum Education Gallery (1st Floor)
11:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
GWG members will monitor and assist participants as they create and update their family trees on Ancestry.com. They will also provide assistance with accessing the Freedmen’s Bureau records in Ancestry and FamilySearch. Several Library laptops will be available, but feel free to bring your own laptop and a few notes and documents.
Hidden Figures of the Reconstruction
Ballroom (2nd Floor)
12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
This is an interactive, educational experience. Participants will randomly receive biographies of actual people who lived during America’s Reconstruction Era (1865-1877). During this fast-paced, 2-hour event, visitors will work in small teams to process information about life from the perspective of the assigned “hidden figure” before and after the war. The process is designed to foster empathy and provide a deeper understanding for the effects that the Civil War, Reconstruction, and post-Reconstruction era had on people of varying castes in this country and residual effects that continue to influence us today.
Both of these are FREE and open to everyone