Black History Month - What's Online

February is Black History Month. Whether you are looking for recommended resources to use in a report or in the classroom, or you would like to be better informed about this special month, here are some online resources to help get you started:

Note: Links marked with asterisk (*) require your Fauquier County Public Library card barcode to access.

• findingDulcinea - Learning About African-American History is a well-researched collection of biographical articles and links to primary sources.
• Biography In Context* has a special section dedicated to African Americans. Gale also has a free website (no library card required for access) with activities, quizzes and ebooks.
• The World Book Online Info Finder* has thousands of biography articles. When you log in, go to the Biography Center and browse the pre-selected categories, including "Leaders in the American civil rights movement," "Notable African American..." and more.
• Britannica Online's*  Guide to Black History Month is part of the Featured Spotlight section.
• HeritageQuest Online's*  Freedman's Bank Records - Search for individuals in Freedman's Bank (1865-1874), which was founded to serve African Americans.
• Tech Trends: Black History Goes Mobile is a free mobile application that helps you learn about local black history through your smartphone.
• The Library of Virginia looks at African American Trailblazers in Virginia History.
• History.com's Black History Month exhibit features video clips, great speeches and biographies of great African American icons. Try and ignore the numerous popup ads.
• Biography.com hosts a number of black history videos, featured biographies and fast facts.
• The Library of Congress has a number of resources from their collections, including images and audio/video. 
• The Smithsonian has a African American History Virtual Tour as well as a variety of Black History Teaching Resources for use in the classroom.
• Find related lesson plans and resources, meet the people, places and stories of African American history on the National Park Service's Web site.
• PBS has a number of online resources related to African-American history, including: African American Lives 2; Eyes on the Prize - America's Civil Rights Movement, 1954-1985; and PBS Parents' Embracing Black History.
• Kaboose.com provides children and parents with fun crafts and activities to celebrate Black history and culture.
• Fact Monster (from Information Please) provides history and timelines, biographies and other special features related to Black History Month.
• Students will enjoy BrainPOP movies on Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, Jackie Robinson and Civil Rights. You can watch a few movies for free before being prompted to sign up for a subscription.

All Fauquier County Public Library branches are also celebrating Black History Month with the Read, Write and Review program. Students in grades K-5 can participate by reading a biography of a prominent African-American, a nonfiction book about African-American history, a book by an African-American author, or an African or African-American folktale. Write a book review, then pick out a prize when you submit your review -- on paper at any library branch or when you use the library's online form (for students in K-5th grade).