Jessica Betit

In celebration of Black History Month, we would like to highlight trailblazing Black American librarians. “Throughout their history, African-American librarians have been pioneers, visionaries, risk-takers, hard-workers, innovators, organizers, and achievers. Through dedication and persistence, they have developed library collections and archives in spite of limited resources. They have provided reference and information services, and their libraries have served as cultural centers for many blacks in all types of communities.”    -Alma Dawson Edward Christopher Williams – First Black-American Librarian Williams is known as the first professionally trained black librarian in the United States and was widely regarded as an expert on both library …

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When and What is Groundhog Day? February 2nd each year brings the most-watched weather forecast of the year—and the only one led by a rodent! As the story goes, if the groundhog sees its shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter; if not, there will be an early spring. The “first” Groundhog Day The first official Groundhog Day celebration took place on February 2, 1887, in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. It was the creation of local newspaper editor, Clymer Freas, who sold a group of businessmen and groundhog hunters (known as the “Punxsutawney Groundhog Club”) on the idea. The men tramped through …

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