1. Courtesy of our friends in the Dorot Jewish Division, who introduced everyone to the Draydel Launcher, we present this lovely songsheet for Chanuka Lights, a translation of the Yiddish song Chanukah Licht by M. Rosenfeld and Savel Zilberts. The 40c piece was distributed by Metro Music in 1937.  What is your favorite Hannukah song?

    Courtesy of our friends in the Dorot Jewish Division, who introduced everyone to the Draydel Launcher, we present this lovely songsheet for Chanuka Lights, a translation of the Yiddish song Chanukah Licht by M. Rosenfeld and Savel Zilberts. The 40c piece was distributed by Metro Music in 1937. 

    What is your favorite Hannukah song?

  2. The music world has lost a legend as it was announced this morning that the iconic Jazz great Dave Brubeck passed away at the age of 91. Of course known for many hits - especially TAKE FIVE - many of Mr. Brubeck’s albums can be found in the collections of The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.  The photograph above is a portrait of Mr. Brubeck taken in 2006 by photographer Hank O’Neal. RIP Mr. Brubeck, a true giant in the performing arts.  

    The music world has lost a legend as it was announced this morning that the iconic Jazz great Dave Brubeck passed away at the age of 91. Of course known for many hits - especially TAKE FIVE - many of Mr. Brubeck’s albums can be found in the collections of The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.  The photograph above is a portrait of Mr. Brubeck taken in 2006 by photographer Hank O’Neal. RIP Mr. Brubeck, a true giant in the performing arts.  

  3. Friends of the Library and their families celebrated the holiday season at NYPL’s annual Holiday Open House on Sunday, December 2nd at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building. Guests enjoyed music, magic, storytelling, and more! Join the fun next year—become a member today! Photo: Jonathan Blanc

    Friends of the Library and their families celebrated the holiday season at NYPL’s annual Holiday Open House on Sunday, December 2nd at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building. Guests enjoyed music, magic, storytelling, and more! Join the fun next year—become a member today!

    Photo: Jonathan Blanc

  4. Just a reminder that tonight at 6:30pm at The Seward Park Library there will be a free screening of the 1980’s classic DESPERATELY SEEKING SUSAN that will feature a Q&A with the film’s director Susan Seidelman!!! This screening is part of the new Lower East Side Heritage Film Series: The 80s. Seats are on a first come, first serve basis. 

    Just a reminder that tonight at 6:30pm at The Seward Park Library there will be a free screening of the 1980’s classic DESPERATELY SEEKING SUSAN that will feature a Q&A with the film’s director Susan Seidelman!!! This screening is part of the new Lower East Side Heritage Film Series: The 80s. Seats are on a first come, first serve basis. 

  5. Just a reminder to all you Bob Dylan fans that tonight at 6pm at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts is a free program in which the music of Bob Dylan is performed by Dylan interpreter Howard Fishman and his band. This program is in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Dylan’s debut album. 

    Just a reminder to all you Bob Dylan fans that tonight at 6pm at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts is a free program in which the music of Bob Dylan is performed by Dylan interpreter Howard Fishman and his band. This program is in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Dylan’s debut album. 

  6. 1980’s lovers do we have an absolute gem of a program for you this Tuesday, November 20 at 6:30pm at our Seward Park Library. As part of the Lower East Side Heritage Film Series: The 80s there will be a free screening of the classic  DESPERATELY SEEKING SUSAN, starring Rosanna Arquette, Aidan Quinn, and the one and only Madonna. Oh but it gets better because following for the screening there will be a Q&A with the film’s director Susan Seidelman!!! So GET INTO THE GROOVE and come on down to the Seward Park Library and get a chance to watch this classic Lower East Side film… in the LOWER EAST SIDE!!! Seating is on a first come, first serve basis.  

    1980’s lovers do we have an absolute gem of a program for you this Tuesday, November 20 at 6:30pm at our Seward Park Library. As part of the Lower East Side Heritage Film Series: The 80s there will be a free screening of the classic  DESPERATELY SEEKING SUSAN, starring Rosanna Arquette, Aidan Quinn, and the one and only Madonna. Oh but it gets better because following for the screening there will be a Q&A with the film’s director Susan Seidelman!!! So GET INTO THE GROOVE and come on down to the Seward Park Library and get a chance to watch this classic Lower East Side film… in the LOWER EAST SIDE!!! Seating is on a first come, first serve basis.  

  7. Bob Dylan fans, mark your calendars for Monday, November 19 at 6:00pm because The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts has a gem of a program coming up… and it is FREE!! Fifty years ago, Dylan released his eponymous debut album. To mark the occasion, songwriter and Dylan interpreter Howard Fishman curates an evening saluting the living legend’s most recent album. Fishman and a roster of special guests respond to Dylan’s newest offering as they salute this vibrant, iconic artist. Seating is on a first come, first serve basis but you can get more info here… 

    Bob Dylan fans, mark your calendars for Monday, November 19 at 6:00pm because The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts has a gem of a program coming up… and it is FREE!! Fifty years ago, Dylan released his eponymous debut album. To mark the occasion, songwriter and Dylan interpreter Howard Fishman curates an evening saluting the living legend’s most recent album. Fishman and a roster of special guests respond to Dylan’s newest offering as they salute this vibrant, iconic artist. Seating is on a first come, first serve basis but you can get more info here… 

  8. Who is that? Why, it’s legendary musician Pete Townshend hanging out with the NYPL’s own Paul Holdengraber in our historic 42nd Street building last night. Pete was here to discuss his new book Who Am I? (check it out of the Library here) as part of our LIVE from the NYPL series. He said many amazing things - here’s just a small example: when asked to describe his life in seven words last night, Pete said, “I run a store. I have customers.” Gotta love it. He also performed a little bit (video to come, fans). Do you love programming like this? Become a Friend of the Library (for as little as $40 a year!) and get discounts on tickets, advanced sales, etc. Photo Credit: Jori Klein

    Who is that? Why, it’s legendary musician Pete Townshend hanging out with the NYPL’s own Paul Holdengraber in our historic 42nd Street building last night. Pete was here to discuss his new book Who Am I? (check it out of the Library here) as part of our LIVE from the NYPL series. He said many amazing things - here’s just a small example: when asked to describe his life in seven words last night, Pete said, “I run a store. I have customers.” Gotta love it. He also performed a little bit (video to come, fans). Do you love programming like this? Become a Friend of the Library (for as little as $40 a year!) and get discounts on tickets, advanced sales, etc.

    Photo Credit: Jori Klein

  9. It’s Flashback Friday… and it feels fine

    REM may have called it quits this time last year, but for today’s flashback friday we’re taking a fond look back at their three decades in the music business. If you’re an REM fan, listen to this e-version of the collector’s edition of their album And I Feel Fine…..The Best of the IRS Years 82-87. It’s not the end of the world; it’s just the beginning! See what else is here for your ears at NYPL.

  10. “When you are growing up there are two institutional places that affect you most powerfully: the church which belongs to God, and the public Library, which belongs to you. The public library is the great equalizer.” — Keith Richards Seriously, have you gotten your library card, yet?

    “When you are growing up there are two institutional places that affect you most powerfully: the church which belongs to God, and the public Library, which belongs to you. The public library is the great equalizer.”

    — Keith Richards


    Seriously, have you gotten your library card, yet?