CITY LIBRARY SCHEDULES EVENTS DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH

The Cape Girardeau Public Library is joining in the observance of Black History Month.

"We have several programs designed for the observance throughout February," said Bettye Black, assistant director at the library, 711 N. Clark.

Black History Month was established in 1976, said Black, who added that the idea for an observance honoring the accomplishments of blacks led to the establishment of Negro History Week in 1926.

"The idea for an observance was proposed by Carter G. Woodson, a historian known as the Father of Black History, and others," said Black. The observance coincides with the birthday of black leader Frederick Douglass (Feb. 14), and of Abraham Lincoln (Feb. 12), who was president during the Civil War.

The annual observance is sponsored by the Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History (ASALH), which Woodson founded in 1915.

The theme for 1993 is "Afro-American Scholars: Leaders, Activists and Writers."

The library here will start its celebration Sunday during a "Celebrate the Heritage" program from 2 to 3 p.m. in the Hirsch Community Room at the library.

Carol Keeler, a radio personality with KZIM Radio, and Ben Bates of the English Department at Southeast Missouri State University will present African and American stories, and Kindermusik will present a musical program of jazz, gospel, African and American music.

"Programs will be presented each weekend of the month," said Black.

Antonio Holland of Lincoln University in Jefferson City will present a program on "The Free Negro in America and Missouri Before the Civil War," on Feb. 14.

Michael Fuller of University of Missouri-St. Louis, will provide the program Feb. 21, and Gary Kremer of William Woods College will present the Feb. 28 program.

Fuller's topic will be "A Guest of Honor: Scott Joplin in St. Louis." Fuller will present slides and music in celebration of Joplin's ragtime music and the musician's African-American heritage of St. Louis.

Kremer will charge James Milton Turner's accomplishments as a leader in the fight for equality for the first generation of post-Civil War freedom.

Turner was the first secretary of the Equal Rights League, which was established following the Civil War.

"The library received a donation for the 12 subscriptions from the Saturday Morning Breakfast Club to expand the African-American collection," said Black. The funds were used to purchase five newspaper subscriptions Amsterdam News, Chicago Defender, Kansas City Globe, Pittsburg Courier and St. Louis American.

New magazine subscriptions include American Visions, The Crisis, EM, Emerge, Right On, Word Up, YSB.

All magazines in the Periodical Reading Room of the library are available for checkout except for current issues.