James Baldwin's America is a community conversation that uses literature to explore our human experience. Facilitated by R. Deborah Davis of SUNY Oswego and Joseph Marusa (ret.) of Syracuse City School District, this program begins at 5 p.m. with a light dinner provided by the sponsors, followed by the discussion that begins promptly at 5:30. A reading packet will be provided at the first session. Participation is free, but registration is requested. Call (315) 399-4100. This program is supported by a grant from Humanities NY.

Create custom cards with the Central Library's “Baby Press," the mini version of the professional printing press. Supplies are provided, but feel free to bring any additional items you may want to add in order to personalize your cards. Open to ages 12 and up.

Join the Central Library for popcorn and games in the TeenSpace every Friday. For teens ages 12 to 18. No registration required.

The Greater Syracuse Land Bank will host a weekend painting event that is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 13, at South Presbyterian Church located at 2110 S. Salina St. The community as a whole will have the opportunity to participate in brightening up our city. Paint, plywood and a place to paint will be provided. Completed boards will then be displayed on Land Bank properties throughout the city. To learn more, email Liam Kirst at LKirst@syracuseLandBank.org or Logan Reidsma at Lreidsma@SyracuseLandbank.org

Distractibility interferes with our ability to listen, to focus, to respond and to feel fully alive. The 45-minute meditation workshop will include instruction in simple meditation techniques, including breath, posture and basic principles of awareness. Judy Fancher, a meditation practitioner for 16 years, is the instructor. This program is supported by the Zen Center of Syracuse. Please register in advance by calling (315) 435-1940.

Jubilee Homes of Syracuse Build to Work (B2W) will host a Job Fair from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday, May 19, at Destiny USA. Registration is available on EventBrite. For more information, contact Twiggy Billue at (315) 428-0070.

Join the Central Library for popcorn and games in the TeenSpace every Friday. For teens ages 12 to 18. No registration required.

100 Black Men of Syracuse, Inc. in collaboration with Black Nurses Rock of Syracuse to host the 2017 Health and Wellness Lecture Series. The May lecture will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, May 22, at the South Side Innovation Center. The speaker will be Cassandra Brown, RN, Joslin Diabetes Center nurse educator; and Patty Palladino, American Diabetes Association development manager, both speaking on the topic of "Diabetes." No advance registration is required for the lecture series. For more information, call (315) 443-8749.

The Teen Advisory Board is a group that helps plan programs and make the Central Library a great place for teens to hang out. New members always welcome. Open to teens ages 12 to 18. No registration required.

This month’s book is "In the Shadow of Liberty" by Kenneth C. Davis. An examination of American slavery through the true stories of five enslaved people who were considered the property of some of our best-known presidents. Open to teens ages 12 to 18. No registration necessary.