Youth learn vocal and theatrical skills, and techniques through individual and group stage performances with an emphasis on the talent, stories, histories, and authentic voices of African-diasporic people for the exposure, expansion, and preservation of African diasporic heritage arts. Ages: Age at least 9 yrs but less than 19 yrs,

Youth learn dance styles, skills, and technique with an emphasis on black cultural practices and genres for the exposure, expansion, and preservation of African diasporic heritage arts. Ages: Age at least 7 yrs but less than 19 yrs,

Youth learn musical proficiency, cultural literacy, and resilience through Afro-Caribbean Steel Drumming for the exposure, expansion, and preservation of African diasporic heritage arts. Ages: Age at least 9 yrs but less than 19 yrs,

Youth learn saxophone theory and technique from African Diasporic enrichment artists and culture bearers of black art genres for the exposure, expansion, and preservation of African diasporic heritage arts. Ages: Age at least 9 yrs but less than 19 yrs,

12 months, 12 genres, 12 chances to broaden your reading horizons! Welcome to the Genre of the Month Book Club! Each month, we explore a different (sub)genre, and you choose to read any book that fits that theme--no assigned reading here! Then, join us on the second Wednesday of every month at Boxyard RTP. Grab yourself a drink or snack as we discuss what we read and the genre as a whole. The book club meets outside, so dress for the weather! Our table is located next to RTP Uncorked and the elevator, near the dog park. If you've found a table reserved for book club, you're in the right place! Click on one of the months below to see what our members chose to read! January: Self Help February: Romantasy March: Satire April: Poetry May: Cozy Mystery June: Epistolary July: Cyberpunk August: Coming of Age/Bildungsroman September: Banned Classic October: Gothic Horror November: History December: Short Story Collection/Anthology Questions? Email Elle at kfarmer@dconc.gov. Boxyard RTP 900 Park Offices Research Triangle Park, NC 27709

SciFi & Fantasy Book Club takes a trip to an alternate timeline with Nisi Shawl's novel about a different future for colonial Africa Everfair. Copies are available in a variety of formats from the library. From the publisher: "From acclaimed short fiction writer Nisi Shawl comes a thought-provoking alternate history set in the Congo, where heroes strive for a Utopia and endeavor to live together despite their differences. In this reimagining of Belgium's disastrous colonization of the Congo, African American missionaries join forces with British socialists to purchase land from the Congo Free State's "owner," King Leopold II. This land, which they name Everfair, is set aside as a safe haven for native populations of the Congo as well as settlers from around the world, including dream-eyed Europeans attempting to create a better society, formerly enslaved people returning from America, and Chinese railroad builders escaping hard labor. Using the combined knowledge of four continents, Everfair becomes a land of spying cats and gulls, nuclear dirigibles buoyed by barkcloth balloons, and silent pistols that shoot poison knives. With this technology, Everfair will attempt to defeat the Belgian tyrant Leopold II. But even if they can defeat their great enemy, a looming world war and political infighting may threaten to destroy everything they have built."

Preschoolers (ages 3-5 years) and their caregivers are welcome to join Ms. Natalie for a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) storytime! On the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month, we will explore a different STEAM topic with stories, songs, and a hands-on activity. This week, we will learn all about airplanes (and their history) and create our own airplanes using paper, crayons, and markers! Registration is required. If you have any questions, please contact us @ 919-560-8592.

From their early use in Great Britain to current times, individual jigsaw puzzles tell us so much about the people, the culture and the history of the United States. Robin Henderson (Terra Rodgers of Chestnut and Hemlock Puzzles could not be with us) shares her insight and appreciation of these enduring pieces of our past and present. A small selection of puzzles will be on display. Help make a Togetherness Puzzle! Bring a puzzle to swap!

Join our moderated panel discussion to discover how North Carolina’s landscapes—its farms, forests, burial grounds, and waterways—sustain culture, memory, environmental health and community well‑being. Delphine Godley Sellars is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Urban Community AgriNomics (UCAN), Catawba Trail Farm in Durham. Her passion since 2018 has been the reclaiming of a former plantation into the Catawba Trail Farm. The farm currently has a Youth and Community Garden, high tunnel, bees, walking trails, repurposed buildings and provides an array of programs and services. Ryan E. Emanuel is a hydrologist and associate professor at Duke University where he researches and teaches about water, environmental justice, and Indigenous rights. His book, On the Swamp: Fighting for Indigenous Environmental Justice, explains how Indigenous peoples in North Carolina maintain connections to their homelands despite centuries of social oppression and environmental degradation. Beverly Scarlett is a co-founder of Indigenous Memories in Hillsborough. The organization returns the history, culture and legacy of the Indigenous People of this area to its community of origins. It also preserves Indigenous land and burial spaces and the burial spaces of the enslaved. J.T. Tabron, panel moderator, is an assistant register in the Durham County Register of Deeds Office. He volunteers for Hacking into History, which seeks to uncover racially restrictive covenants in the public record and share this history to empower citizens. Where can I park when the Main Library parking lot is full? Parking is available in the library parking lot or at the North Queen Street Garage located at 115 North Queen Street which is behind the apartments directly across the street from the library. Parking is free in the garage. Please bring your ticket to a service desk in the library for validation.

Join Rob Christensen, former political columnist for The News & Observer, for a dive into the history of the rise and decline of The News & Observer (and the family behind it) Seating is first-come-first-serve, register for a reminder email one day before the event, please allow time for parking and navigating to and within the library. Rob Christensen wrote about North Carolina politics for The News and Observer for 45 years. He is the author of two-award-winning histories -- The Paradox of Tar Heel Politics and the Rise and Fall of the Branchhead Boys, both published by UNC Press. A third book, Southern News, Southern Politics: How A Newspaper Defined A State For A Century, was published by UNC Press in March. Christensen has appeared as an analyst on hundreds of television and radio programs including the CBS News, ABC"s Nightline, Fox News, PBS, and NPR. He lives in Cary, N.C.

Join us on the third Tuesday of every month for a lively discussion about great fiction! April's title is: A History of Wild Places by Shea Ernshaw