Library hosts programs celebrating refugees

On June 20, the United Nations and more than 100 countries will observe World Refugee Day, recognizing the strength, courage and resilience of millions of displaced people who are forced to flee their homes to escape war or human rights abuses. Dayton Metro Library offers several opportunities through film, literature and personal presentations to learn about refugee experiences.

On Thursday, June 21, the library hosts a free screening of the PBS documentary “Lost Boys of Sudan” from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Main Library’s Eichelberger Forum, 215 E. Third St.

A question- and-answer period with the Miami Valley Refugee Resettlement Program of Catholic Social Services directly follows the screening at 7:30 p.m. The film will be replayed on Saturday, June 23, from 12-2 p.m., without the question-and-answer period, in the Library’s Bassani Theater Off Third.

The documentary follows two young Sudanese refugees, Peter and Santino, through their first challenging year in America.

On Tuesday, June 26, a panel of African immigrants and refugees will share their personal stories in “Voices of the Immigrant Experience.” This program, sponsored by Welcome Dayton, encourages participants’ questions and encourages open dialogue.

It is scheduled in conjunction with a discussion of the novel Homegoing, by Yaa Gyasi, the 2017 Dayton Literary Peace Prize fiction runner-up, which traces 300 years of history through two families in Ghana.

The book discussion begins at 6:30 p.m. and “Voices of the Immigrant Experience” follows at 7:30 in the Library’s Bassani Theater Off Third.

All of these events are free and open to the public. For more information, visit Dayton Metro Library. org or call 937-463-2665.