Thursday, June 11, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Alexis Gunderson
(301) 699-3500 x6158
alexis.gunderson@pgcmls.info
Largo, Maryland –Throughout the month of June, the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) will host an array of programming and events in observance of Juneteenth, the national June 19 holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States.
All PGCMLS locations will be closed in observance of the holiday on Friday, June 19, but both before and after, the Prince George’s County community is invited to join branches across the county to learn more about the history of the holiday, and to celebrate its principles of self-determination, citizenship, and democracy.
“It is so vital that we, as a library system, continue to lead in education and establish ourselves as a safe haven for access to knowledge and community,” says PGCMLS Library Associate Brandon Adams, who developed two special programs at the South Bowie Branch Library in early June in celebration of both Juneteenth and Black Music Month. “By honoring Juneteenth, the Library can empower all of us as individuals and as a community to take time to evaluate the afterlife of slavery and its ongoing impacts on today's world.”
This year’s Juneteenth programming at PGCMLS includes themed storytimes for ages 3-5; special craft and music programs for elementary-aged kids featuring storytelling around Black History with local partners Sista’ Martha and the Surratt Historic Site & Museum; and genealogy workshops and book talks for adults, including an author visit from Sonya Womack-Miranda sharing the research behind her book “Un-Named: The Search for Sarah Miller.”
June is also Black Music Month, and community members are invited to join the Library to honor both that and Juneteenth at a pair of special music and karaoke events for kids, teens, and adults that celebrate the musical traditions that have inspired resistance, advanced freedom and civil rights, and provided hope and joy during America’s 250-year history.
For more information about how PGCMLS commemorates Juneteenth and celebrates Black heritage and history throughout the year, please visit the Black Heritage Hub on the PGCMLS website.
Presented by the Surratt Historic Site & Museum
Free | Saturday, June 13 at 11 am | Ages 5-12 | Surratts-Clinton Branch Library | Link
In this monthly “Unsung Heroes Who Shaped America" series, PGCMLS and the Surratt Historic Site & Museum tell the stories of people who have made this country better, even if they’ve gone unnoticed. This month, kids will learn about Ona Judge, a runaway from enslavement by Martha and George Washington. After reading “Runaway: The Daring Escape of Ona Judge" by Ray Anthony Shepard (ill. Keith Mallett) together as a group, participants will create their own freedom lanterns.
Free | Saturday, June 13 at 3 pm | Teens and Adults | Bladensburg Branch Library | Link
In this special program celebrating Juneteenth, participants will explore through discussion, videos, and sing-alongs, how African American musical traditions have inspired resistance, advanced freedom and civil rights, and provided hope and joy during America's 250-year history.
Free |Monday, June 15 at 4:30 pm | Adults | Spauldings Branch Library | Link
Community members are invited to celebrate Juneteenth by discovering how to research Black American family history. This workshop will focus on breaking through the “1870 wall” and uncovering ancestors through records created during and after emancipation.
Free | Tuesday, June 16 at 5:30 pm | Kids to Adults |Glenarden Branch Library | Link
Community members of all ages are invited to step up to the mic and sing their heart out at this special program where participants will select their favorite tunes to sing karaoke-style in celebration of Black Music Month.
Presented by author Sonya Womack-Miranda
Free | Wednesday, June 17 at 6 pm | Adults| Hyattsville Branch Library | Link
Community members are invited to come out to the Hyattsville Branch Library for this event with author Sonya Womack-Miranda, where she will take participants on an inspiring and deeply personal journey through African American genealogy and ancestral discovery. She will share her research tracing family lineage across seven Virginia plantations and back to Africa, documented in her book “Un-Named: The Search for Sarah Miller” and featured on CBS’s 60 Minutes and in The Washington Post.
Attendees will:
This program will be followed by a book signing. Books will be available for purchase from the author at the event (electronic payments only).
Free | Thursday, June 18 at 11 am | Ages 3-5 | Hillcrest Heights Branch Library | Link
Free | Thursday, June 18 at 11 am | Ages 3-5 | Fairmount Heights Branch Library | Link
Bring your preschooler for a fun-filled half-hour of stories, songs, and fingerplays celebrating Juneteenth! This engaging storytime nurtures a love for reading and sparks creativity, making it an unforgettable experience for little ones.
Presented by Martha Ruff of Griots' Story Circle
Free | Tuesday, June 23 at 2 pm | Ages 5-12 | Surratts-Clinton Branch Library | Link
Free | Wednesday, June 24 at 2 pm | Ages 5-12 | Upper Marlboro Branch Library | Link
Free | Thursday, June 25 at 2 pm | Ages 5-12 | Largo-Kettering Branch Library | Link
Elementary-aged kids are invited to journey through Black history with Sista' Martha (Martha Gruff, founding member of both the Griots' Circle of Maryland, Inc. and the National Association of Black Storytellers, Inc.) as she weaves lively tales, songs, and poems connecting Africa, the Caribbean, and Black America. Through engaging narratives, experience the vibrancy of characters like Anansi, Alex Haley, and Sojourner Truth. Come be a part of the story and join in the fun by playing drums, shakers, and other musical instruments.
To discuss coverage opportunities, contact PGCMLS Communications Specialist Alexis Gunderson at alexis.gunderson@pgcmls.info.
About the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System
The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) is a beacon within its diverse and dynamic community. The Library serves Prince George’s County, Maryland’s 966,000+ residents through 19 public branches, a law library in the County Correctional Center, various pop-up services and events, and 24/7 access to free online resources. As a trusted and responsive community leader, PGCMLS democratizes knowledge and opportunity by providing safe, accessible spaces where customers of all backgrounds can freely engage with the resources needed to build knowledge, literacy, skills, and creativity at every phase of life. Learn more at pgcmls.info/about-us.