Madam Secretary by Madeleine Albright, with Bill Woodward — Madeleine Albright, Ambassador, first woman to become United States Secretary of State

Arbella: England's lost queen by Sarah Gristwood — Arbella, English Renaissance noblewoman

The year 1863 was a particularly memorable one in both American and world history.

Originally a feast day of two Christian martyrs named Valentine, Valentine's Day has changed over time into a more general celebration of love in which cards, flowers and chocolates are often exchanged. If the day puts you in the mood for love, check out this collection. It highlights love letters, famous couples and classic novels. But there's also plenty of love in the movies. For these we've listed some favorite Classic Romantic Comedies, Offbeat Romances and Romantic Dramas. Last but not least, there is a selection of Romantic Music for your listening pleasure.

American Experience: The Abolitionists by Artist Not Provided — Men and women, black and white, Northerners and Southerners, poor and wealthy, these passionate anti-slavery activists fought  in the most important civil rights crusade in American history. Part of the PBS series American Experience.

Africans in America [videodisc]: America's journey through slavery by produced for PBS by WGBH Boston — The story of slavery's birth in the early 1660s through the onset of thr Civil War. Narrated by Academy Award nominee Angela Bassett.

The month of February has been set aside to celebrate the contributions of the country's African Americans. It was in 1926 that  Negro History Week was first organized by historian Dr. Carter G. Woodson (1875-1950) and others. During America's Bicentennial celebration in 1976, the one-week span was lengthened to four and February was established as Black History Month.  The Canton Public Library has a vast amount of resources for and about African Americans.

Books: Reference

165 years ago, on January 24, 1848, gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill setting off the California Gold Rush. People began flocking to the state later that year, but the majority didn't arrive until the next year — hence the term "forty-niners." All told, the news drew some 300,000 people from all over the world (Latin America, Europe, Australia and China) between the years 1849 and 1855, to seek their fortune in California.

The age of gold: the California Gold Rush and the new American dream by H.W.