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MARCH NEWS | 2024
black history month
Spend your Friday evenings with us! Five Fridays of Jazz kicks off on March 1 with the Memphis Black Arts Alliance presenting legendary Joyce Cobb with a Special Appearance by Memphis Jazz Workshop.
Other artists on this year's line-up:  Memphis Black Arts Alliance presents Lannie McMillian Jr., Deborah Swiney, Gary Topper, and Michael Townsend, with special guest Alvin McKinney. New this year, we will have food and beverage service provided by King Manor Catering. It sounds like a perfect date night!

FEATURED EVENTS
hbcu college fair

Do you love Memphis? Join us in celebrating our city and the 25th anniversary of the East Shelby branch! On March 16, there will be free food and live music, and learn about what your libraries and community organizations offer. You can even go on a story walk with your child.
cossitt library

Do you love Star Wars? If so, we need your help building a giant Lego Millennium Falcon. March 2 is the first of three days it will take to create the 7,500 piece creation. The build will continue on April 6 and May 4. It is an all-ages event at the Benjamin L Hooks Central Library.
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Enjoy a special storytime with live, interactive music from the Memphis Symphony Orchestra! Tunes at Tales will occur at 11 a.m. on March 9 at three branches, including Benjamin L Hooks, Cordova, and Bartlett. Book titles and musical instrument selections will vary by location.

Pickleball at the Benjamin L Hooks Central Library

Do you want to learn how to play pickleball? In partnership with local non-profit PickleMania, this 6-week course will feature their innovative Pickleball With Purpose curriculum, combining fun introductory pickleball instruction with meaningful life lessons you can use on and off the court.

TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE CELEBRATION
love your mpl

Two solar eclipses in six months! Join us on March 20 to learn all about solar eclipses and the science behind them. University of Memphis physics faculty will offer an interactive presentation followed by a Q&A. Educational activities for children will be provided. Those who attend will receive free solar eclipse viewing glasses to watch the upcoming eclipse on April 8, 2024.

FEATURED EVENTS
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The "Painting on River" series is dedicated to celebrating the remarkable contributions of women artists. Every Saturday in March, we will spotlight a distinct women painter as a tribute to Women's History Month, allowing our audience to engage deeply with their artistry and personal journeys.
african diaspora

Hollywood Youth Action Council's Video Game Tournament
The Hollywood Youth Action Council is hosting four video game tournaments. March 4 will be a Mortal Kombat Tournament. It will continue on March 18 with NBA 2K24. April 1 is UFC. April 15 is Madden.
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Join us for an 8-week workshop series on digital literacy offered by writing instructors from the University of Memphis. Each week, we will discuss a different topic, including data privacy, digital security, avoiding misinformation and scams, and how to navigate the online job market.
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Look Good, Feel Good
Do you want to learn to look and feel good while caring for your health? Join us for a fun and informative series of events hosted by Miss Black South Memphis herself, Kaitlyn Bowman, who will share her tips and tricks. This event is for tween girls and runs monthly beginning in March.

PRIDE CARD CONTEST WINNERS REVEAL
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Memphis Public Libraries will reveal the two local Pride Library Card Contest winners at a public reception on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at 6 p.m. at the Benjamin L Hooks Central Library. During September and October 2023, 18 beginners, amateurs, and professionals submitted entries. The winner's design will be displayed on Memphis Public Libraries' cards beginning in June during Pride month. 

FEATURED EVENTS
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Agape Chaplains will be visiting the Whitehaven Library on March 13. The chaplains are trained to serve people through pastoral skills. They offer services including goal setting, trauma care, non-judgmental conversations, referrals for immediate relief, and clinical service. 
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Join us for Black Restaurant Week From March 18 to March 23 for an extraordinary dining experience. Chef Eli will pay homage to the rich culinary heritage of African American culture. Hours are Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. Saturday: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
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For Women's History Month, join a panel discussion exploring African American food and women, including Mammy, Madea, Leah Chase, Chef Tamara Patterson, and Tabitha Brown. We'll also honor the local food community and cultural fixtures in this engaging event!
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Spring is almost here; it is time to prepare your garden for the season. We have a full slate of programs in March, including soil testing and pesticide safety classes from Booker T. Leigh. Learn from master gardeners, get gardening books, and get FREE seeds from our Seed Library.

RICHARD WRIGHT AWARDS
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Memphis Public Libraries will hold the 2nd annual Richard Wright Literary Awards, celebrating and awarding local authors in various categories of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and illustration on March 21. Please join us for the award show at the Benjamin L Hooks Library at 5 p.m. to support authors from our community. The Memphis Library Foundation, International Paper, and Alice Faye Duncan, in memory of Earline Duncan, are event sponsors. 

FEATURED EVENTS
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Discover H2SCORE at Hollywood Library! Every other Monday, it becomes a vibrant gaming hub for local and distant teens.  It's not just gaming; it's a gathering of skilled players, a clash of talents, and pure enjoyment! Forge connections, form teams, and unwind after school. 
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Free tax preparation continues at Memphis Public Library branches in March. The AARP and United Way of the Mid-South provide this service at multiple library locations. Check the event calendar or call 2-1-1 for information regarding when tax prep is available at a branch near you.
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Whether you want low-impact line dancing, chair yoga, kids yoga, regular yoga, Tai Chi, aerobics, or even Zumba, we will keep you moving at Memphis Public Libraries.
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If you want to make arts and crafts, learn calligraphy, make a friendship bracelet, paint, or create a fabric collage, we can help. We have craft programs for all age groups. All you have to do is find one.
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Don't have time to browse our shelves for books for your children? No problem! Use Book Bundles. Librarians will pick out a bundle of books based on your child's interests and place them on hold for you. MPL will notify you by phone or email once they are ready to be picked up.
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Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with MPL, from a special storytime with songs, crafts, and books with books about luck to St. Patrick's Day BINGO. Wear your green, and get in the spirit. With the Luck of the Irish, you will leave BINGO with a pot of gold (really, just a nice prize.)
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Book your future during a job fair with numerous recruiters from various industries, along with valuable resources to develop and enhance job skills. This event serves as a platform for job seekers to connect with potential employers and explore career opportunities. Attendees may receive a free take-home job fair kit.
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I Saw That at a Movie
"ALONERS," part of A Wider Angle's foreign film series, directed by Hong Sung-Eun, explores modern isolation driven by technology. Gong Seung-yeon's award-winning lead as Jina, a grieving call center employee, adds depth to the narrative. The 91-minute Korean film with English subtitles promises a concise yet impactful look at the effects of technology on personal connections.

FEATURED EVENTS

WAYS TO SUPPORT THE LIBRARY
The Memphis Library Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, was established in 1994, chartered as the Foundation for the Library. Its mission is to enhance the 18 Memphis Public Libraries by securing funding through grants and private support. Join with our libraries and make a contribution today to continue their life-changing work. Donate here today.
Did you know the Friends of the Library supports Memphis Public Libraries by volunteering their time, raising money, advocating for the library, and sponsoring programs? We coordinate two book sales a year, operate an online Amazon bookstore, and the Second Editions used bookstore at the Central Library. For more information about joining the Friends of the Library click here.

TURN THE PAGE TO APRIL 
Bookstock
Mark your calendar. April 6 is BookStock. This year's Memphis Area Author's Festival is going to be fantastic!
 
Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale
The Friends of the Library Spring Booksale starts on April 18 and runs through April 21. Get ready to stock up on books for the summer.
 

Hattiloo at the Libraries
The Hattiloo Theatre will be performing a children's play at multiple branches throughout April

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Memphis Public Libraries
3030 Poplar Ave. Memphis, TN 38111
Phone: (901) 415-2700
Thanks to the Memphis Library Foundation for Their Support
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