Blog Posts by Subject: Harlem

"I am a woman who came from the cotton fields of the South. From there I was promoted to the washtub. From there I was promoted to the cook kitchen. And from there I promoted myself into the business of Manufacturing hair goods and preparations. I have built my own factory on my own ground. Madam Walker National Negro Business League Convention, July 1912." Bundles, A'Lelia. Madam C.J. Walker, 2009.

Almost every school child has heard of Madam C. J. Walker. Many idolize her. She is the stuff of legend and an icon of the American "rags-to-riches" mythos. Madam Walker was of course an incredibly successful business person, beauty 

Harlem is an iconic place, a fabled community, a vibrant hub of African-American culture and pride known the world over. Its essence has been captured in music—"Take the A Train" by Duke Ellington, in literature—The Street by Ann Petry and photography—Art Kane's 1958—"Great Day in Harlem" and in many photos by famed photographer James Van Der Zee.

Recently we found some old and not so old photographs of the Harlem branch among our files and wanted to share. 

The first is from April 8, 1910 and is a photograph of our 2nd floor children's room with its beautiful marble frieze and fireplace (which at the time seemed to be functioning). This was taken not too long after the branch opened in July of 1909. 

Seeking further enlightenment into the city we call home, I recently took a class on the literary and cultural history of New York City. Among the many themes common to New York City novels we discussed was the portrayal of the city itself as a character with power to shape the lives of its citizens.

Looking for GED Prep in Harlem?

Follow these links for free prep courses and resources for adult learners. 

Welcome to July’s edition of the Reader’s Den!  This month we will be reading and discussing Passing by Nella Larsen. Published in 1929, it is a novel of modern black life whose relationships are wrought with psychological tension.

June is "Soul Food Month" and in keeping with the theme of this post, here are some recommendations for reading from the New York Public Library. Perhaps you will feel inspired to check out one of these books and make a recipe for you and your loved ones.

If the answer is not so green, perhaps you might think about coming by the Harlem Branch Library on June 1st at 5:30 pm to get some helpful tips from Kellie Madden of Harlem Lofts. 

One last question to wrap things up, Julian and Daniel’s lives follow very similar trajectories. Yet one ends in tragedy, the other in happiness. What similarities are there between the paths they take? What are the differences that allow Daniel to avoid tragedy?

After reading for a week, we've gotten to some of the mystery and intrigue of the novel and some interesting points have arisen for discussion. Feel free to weigh in on any or all of these questions.

STRIVE (Support and Training Result In Valuable Employees)

On the southwest corner of 123rd Street and Second Avenue in East Harlem sits the Cultural Building of Taino Towers. Hope and possibility fill this building. The Harlem Day Charter School occupies the first and fourth floors. The cheerful sounds of children at play on the playground filled the air midday, when I first visited. But I was headed to the third floor to visit STRIVE: a training center for adults who want to find and hold meaningful, productive jobs. STRIVE stands for Support and Training Result In Valuable Employees, but the name also reflects the ambition of the organization for itself 

Right here in zip code 10035 you can keep your child safe in your car. Just stop by Chevrolet-Saturn of Harlem on Saturday, April 11 between 11 am and 3 pm for a FREE safety check of your child car seat.

A trained car seat technician will check your seat and demonstrate correct installation. No appointment is necessary. DOT is sponsoring this event is in partnership with Safe Kids New York City and Chevrolet-Saturn of Harlem.

Chevrolet-Saturn of Harlem
2485 Second Avenue (at 127th Street)
Manhattan 10035

This FREE event will be held again on Saturday, May 9: same time, same place. Can’t make it on those days?  

The 125th Street Library announces our 2nd Annual 125th Street Poetry Contest (poetry slam!)

All are invited to submit entries, multiple submissions are encouraged, but only one will be chosen for entry!

Thursday, April 2nd, 2009: 4 PM

125th Street Library
224 East 125th Street
New York, NY
10035
(212) 534-5050

For more information contact John Fahs, Senior Young Adult Librarian. Images are from last year's event.

Although I have worked for NYPL for over 23 years, I never worked in a Manhattan branch before arriving at the 125th Street Branch in January. I’ve been exploring the 125th Street neighborhood from the Information Desk by looking at the local organizations listed in Community Board 11’s list of Community Based Organizations.

In order to stay truly local, I’ve (so far) limited my explorations to our zip code 10035. Fortunately, the 125th Street Branch is fairly well centered in this zip code. There is a program on Channel 25: “Cool in Your Code” that I think is a good title for what I’d like to make available to our users. Apologies to NYC