As you come into the Clark County Public Library lobby this month, linger there a while to look at the Black History Month displays.

In the display case on the right side, there are pictures of prominent African-Americans from Winchester, Clark County and Kentucky.

Included are Joyce Morton, who, among many other distinctions, is the chairwoman of the Winchester Black History and Heritage Committee, and a member of the Greater Clark Foundation board of directors; Jennie Bibs Didlick, who is known as the Rosa Parks of Clark County; and the Rev. Henry E. Baker, who was the first African American Winchester city commissioner and the vice mayor of Winchester from 1980-84.

The left side display case features nationally prominent African-Americans like symphony conductor Roderick Cox; Tracy K. Smith, the current poet laureate of the United States; and Mae Jemison.

Jemison is one of the most accomplished people in the world.

She trained as a doctor and after a short time practicing medicine; she joined the Peace Corps. After the Peace Corps, she became a NASA astronaut and was the first African-American to fly in space aboard the space shuttle. She appeared on “Star Trek: The Next Generation.”

She was a professional dancer; she holds nine honorary academic degrees and is now principal of the 100 Year Starship Organization.

Her leadership and vision provide guidance and direction for the Starship Organization’s goal of ensuring human travel to stars by 2112.

Facing into the front lobby is a piece of art from “I Was Here,” a multidisciplinary exhibit illuminating the horrors of the slave trade at the Cheapside auction block in downtown Lexington.

The picture features a prayer to the spirits of the black men, women and children who were sold at Cheapside, a prayer that recognizes the horror of the slave auctions and asks for hope for the future.

Next time you come to the library, take a few moments to learn about the illustrious history and the important contributions African-American people have made to Clark County, Kentucky, the United States and the world.

In the library’s reference department, there’s a great display of handmade valentines made by June Jeppe, the mother of Clark County resident Pat Nowack.

Each card is a lovely work of art. Jeppe made them for about 15 years. She enclosed them in boxes of fudge hearts, which she’d make for her children, their spouses and her grandchildren.

It’s a lot of fun to look at the cards and to try to imagine events or situations that inspired the images.

No matter what the picture, the message that comes through is glorious, happy, heartfelt love. It’s a thrill to experience them.

They’ll inspire you to make your valentine’s valentine.

Other programs next week:

— Monday at 11 a.m., Pageturners Book Group. “Nine Perfect Strangers” by Liane Moriarty. Gathering at a remote health resort for a 10-day fitness program, nine strangers and their enigmatic host become subjects of interest to a brokenhearted novelist who develops uncomfortable doubts about the resort’s real agenda. Books are available at the circulation desk.

— Monday at 2 p.m., Chair Yoga. Cost is $5 per class.

— Tuesday at 6 p.m., Winchester Writer’s Group. Writers meet the second Tuesday of each month to read the short stories they have written. For information, contact President Betty Pace at bettypace3@aol.com.

— Wednesday at 2 p.m., Kentucky Picture Show presents a 1938 film about a young man in love with a girl from a wealthy family who finds his unorthodox plan to go on holiday for the early years of his life met with skepticism by everyone except for his fiancee’s eccentric sister and long-suffering brother.

— Wednesday at 7 p.m., trivia at the Engine House Pizza Pub.

— Thursday, Gentle Flow Yoga. Cost is $5 per class.

— Friday at 10 a.m., Write Local.

Patrons and visitors are Valentines every day at the Clark County Public Library.