On Monday, June 19, all library locations will be closed for Juneteenth. This national, state, and Oak Park holiday celebrates African Americans’ freedom from enslavement in the United States.
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day when a U.S. Army general in Galveston, Texas, read orders that all enslaved people were free. This announcement came two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation had formally freed enslaved people.
Resources to learn more
The Call by Tia Etu
In 2022, the library commissioned local artist Tia Etu to create a Juneteenth-inspired artwork. Read more about The Call, which is now part of the library’s permanent collection.
Oak Park Juneteenth 2020 Proclamation
In 2020, Multicultural Learning Coordinator Juanta Griffin read the Village of Oak Park proclamation to recognize June 19 as Juneteenth every year. It resolves “that the Village of Oak Park supports the celebration of Juneteenth both financially and in spirit from this day forward.” Watch the video & read the proclamation »
Hope of Juneteenth documentary
The locally produced documentary Hope of Juneteenth celebrates the history and joy of Juneteenth, and the promise of hope for the future it brings. The documentary, which our Multicultural Learning Coordinator Juanta Griffin helped make, was directed and produced by Forest Park community leader Marjorie Adam, funded by Riveredge Hospital, and supported by Forest Park Mayor Rory Hoskins.
“How we Juneteenth” & “Juneteenth Jamboree”
- The New York Times: Juneteenth collection of photos, poetry, and articles about Juneteenth (read full New York Times coverage for free through our library, from anywhere »)
- PBS Austin: “Juneteenth Jamboree” website with historical and celebratory videos
Titles for Juneteenth
Check out digital titles for Juneteenth available on Hoopla »
