February Events at Your Library. Happy Birthday Forest Public Library!

Saturday, Feb. 22, 11 a.m. Forest Public Library This gorgeous LEED gold-certified building opened 10 years ago and we're celebrating! Put your party hats on and enjoy a bite of cake and a bit of fun with us! African American Read-In



Celebrate a rich heritage in literature, film, music and art at the 30th National African American Read-In! Readers, performers and listeners of all ages welcome! Contact the library if you are interested in performing or reading. Saturday, Feb. 8, noon Fort McCoy Public Library Sunday, Feb.9, 2 p.m. Headquarters-Ocala Monday, Feb. 17, 3 p.m. Belleview Public Library Tuesday, Feb. 18, 4 p.m. Marion Oaks Public Library Tuesday, Feb. 18, 4 p.m. Forest Public Library Tuesday, Feb. 18, 4 p.m. Reddick Public Library Saturday, Feb. 22, 1 p.m. Dunnellon Public Library Tuesday, Feb. 25, 4 p.m. Freedom Public Library COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS AND 2020 CENSUS See all programs in our online calendar. Community Conversation Saturday, Feb. 1, 10:30 a.m. Forest Public Library Monday, Feb. 10, 10:30 a.m. Reddick Public Library Tuesday, Feb. 11, 4 p.m. Marion Oaks Public Library Topic: What is your Marion County story? What brought you or your family to Marion County? Come together with others for a casual and considerate exchange of ideas. 2020 Census and You Thursday, Feb. 27, noon Headquarters-Ocala (Brown Bag Luncheon) The U.S. Census, conducted every 10 years since 1790, is vital to the structure and workings of our government. The 2020 Census will be the 14th in our history and has many design changes. Bring your questions and chat with U.S. Census Partnership Specialist Channa Lloyd. READING AND ART Come hang out! See all programs in our online calendar. CREATE Studio: Fine Arts Workshop Saturday, Feb. 8, 2 p.m. Headquarters-Ocala Tap into your creative side with Patrick Grigsby, artist and art education lecturer from the University of Florida's School of Art and Art History. Ages 13-18. Registration required. Call 352-671-8551. Read-a-Palooza! Feb. 9-March 7 All Marion County Public Library locations Join in on the reading fun! Visit any Marion County Public Library site every week for a special surprise! Grand prize drawings at the March Seuss-a-Palooza events. Co-sponsored by the Early Learning Coalition of Marion County.

ADULTS Looking for something to do? WORDS. Find programs and events in the latest Dulcimer Jam Saturday, Feb. 1, 2 p.m. Fort McCoy Public Library The halls are ringing with the sweet sounds of old-time tunes. Singing, too! Stay for the "Dulcimer Petting Zoo" and try it for yourself! Presented by the Melrose Dulcimer Club. Lu Vickers "Remembering Paradise Park" Saturday, Feb., 2 p.m. Dunnellon Public Library Paradise Park, a place of delight and leisure for the African-American community, was the "colored only" counterpart to Silver Springs during the painful era of Jim Crow.

All Marion County Public Library System locations will be closed on Friday, Feb. 14 for maintenance