Celebrate Juneteenth with the Fletcher Free Library!
The Fletcher Free Library joins the City of Burlington in marking Juneteenth as a significant turning point in our nation's history through education and open-air celebrations.
Telling a Slave's Story with Sharon Draper
On June 17, from 6:30-8:30 pm, join author Sharon Draper on Zoom for a discussion of her Coretta Scott King Award-Winning Young Adult novel, Copper Sun.
Pick up a copy of the book from the library today!
Please register for this event here.
Farm-to-Table Commons
On June 19, from 1:00-4:00 pm, join us on the Library lawn for Farm-to-Table Commons with information about Black-owned farms, restaurants, and advocacy groups. Enjoy delicious food from BIPOC vendors.
Building an Equitable Food System in Vermont Panel Discussion
At 2:00 PM, learn from a panel of seven Vermonters who have devoted their lives to developing a truly equitable food system. Come see what that looks and tastes like!
Story Experience - Library Front Windows
Mazie is ready to celebrate liberty. She is ready to celebrate freedom. She is ready to celebrate a great day in American history. The day her ancestors were no longer slaves. Mazie remembers the struggles and the triumph, as she gets ready to celebrate Juneteenth.
Visit the library's front walk to view "Juneteenth for Mazie" by award-winning author and illustrator Floyd Cooper.
Middle School Student Art Display - Main Reading Room
In honor of Juneteenth, art teachers Judy Klima from Edmunds Middle School, and Tina Logan from A.D.L. Middle School collaborated on an art assignment for their middle school students, merging the importance of this holiday with the rich history and beautiy of Ghanaian textiles.
Students first dove into the history of Juneteenth. Next, students looked at African textiles produced in Ghana: Kente cloth and Adinkra cloth. For almost 150 years, Ghana, on Africa's west coast, was the center of the British slave trade. Western traders arrive in ships loaded with manufactured goods to barter or trade for slaves.
Kente cloth refers to a Ghanaian textile, made of handwoven cloth, strips of silk and cotton. Historically the fabric was worn in a toga-like fashion by royalty amon ethnic groups such as the Ashanti and Ewe. In modern-day Ghana, the wearing of Kente cloth has become widespread to commemorate special occasions, with highly sought after Kente brands led by master weavers. Kente cloth is rich with geometric patterns. Students chose a quote or saying from a notable BIPOC individual, or used a Juneteenth slogan to create abstract designs. Colors were chosen symbolically, referenced from African Textiles, and or colors from African and American flags. Borders were made using Adinkra symbols that had personal meaning to each student. Some students worked individually while others worked in collaborative groups.
Recommended Reading from Fletcher Free Library
- Juneteenth Booklist (pdf)