Posts by Jean Harripersaud

Photo: Pura Belpre (1899-1982) Author, Storyteller and first Puerto Rican Librarian at the New York Public Library

It's Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 through October 15), the time of year to celebrate and recognize the contributions made by people of Hispanic descent to this great nation. This year's national theme is Many Backgrounds, Many Stories... One American Spirit.

According to the 2010 Census, 16 percent of the US population is Hispanic. Hispanic Americans include people from the following 

Black History Month was first observed as Negro History Week by Historian

The New York Public Library’s premier Puerto Rican/Latino Cultural Center—The Bronx Library Center—kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month with Pioneros II: Puerto Ricans in New York City 1948–1998, an exhibit from the Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College. The exhibit is based on the

Primary documents, personal accounts, commentary and video covering the events of nine years ago today.

They were all made in the Bronx. The New York Public Library Lions (1911) and the Abraham Lincoln statue (1923) at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington were carved by the Piccirilli Brothers in their studio on 142nd Street near St. Ann Avenue. The cast iron dome (1858) crowning the Capitol Building in Washington was cast by the James & Kirtland Foundry located in the vicinity of St. Mary's Park.

The Borough of the Bronx recently celebrated its 40th Annual Bronx Week. Part of the celebrations included a “Highlights 

Courtesy Desk - Bronx Library CenterHey, Adults, looking for that great summer read for the beach or something lengthier than Poetry in Motion while commuting through dark subway tunnels – look no further than the Bronx Library Center. This summer the Bronx Library Center is looking to reward four readers who read and post the most book reviews online at

On May 26 from 10 am – 3 pm the Bronx Library Center will be having its 3rd Annual Employment Expo.  All will receive critical job skills.  However, especially unique about this year’s expo is the first 100 women job seekers who attend will receive free business appropriate attire provided by the non-profit Dress for Success.   Highlights of the day are as follows:   10-11 am: 

THEN

The year was 1910 and there was a huge influx of immigrants into New York so much so that the foreign-born population rose to 41 percent. Meanwhile, the New York Public Library, a free public library of New York was being birthed into existence. In 1895, an agreement was signed to consolidate the Tilden Fund and the Lenox and Astor Libraries, two private libraries in New York. The Tilden Fund financed the construction of The Research Library located on the corner of 42nd Street and Fifth Avenue. Construction was completed and the

About 20 yards from the Bronx Library Center is the Edgar Allan Poe Cottage. Nestled quietly in a corner of the Poe Park, this small wooden farmhouse built in 1812 shows no sign of the great legacy of its occupant. It was here that Edgar Allan Poe spent the last 3 years of his life. Poe penned some of his famous poems in this cottage ( "Annabel Lee,” “The Bells” and “Eureka”). And it was in this cottage he experienced his greatest heartbreak - when Virginia died in 1847. Preserved by the Bronx Historical Society, the bed she died in can still be viewed by visitors as well as the 

Looking for just the right music to get you into the holiday mood? This holiday season the Bronx Library Center will be featuring holiday music as part of its regular Saturday afternoon cultural performances. The following free performances are scheduled in the 150-seat auditorium located on the Concourse Level of this fabulous library.

Saturday, December 19 @ 2:30 p.m.

Members of the Bronx Symphony Orchestra will perform “Music Inspired by Christmas” George Frederick Handel: Overture and Pastorale from Messiah Arcangelo Corelli: Christmas Concerto 

Economy has you down? Can’t afford to go away this summer? Cheer up! Plan a vacation right at home in New York City. Go library hopping and enjoy a plethora of high quality cultural performances at the New York Public Library - for FREE! Last Saturday, I visited the Bronx Library Center (where a free performance is offered every Saturday at 2:30 pm), and was treated to the finest quality of Latin Jazz performed by an ensemble led by one of the masters of Latin Jazz –

Please join us this month as we discuss Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird. The Bronx is currently having its first ever NEA Big Read hosted by the Bronx Council on the Arts and the New York Public Library’s Bronx Library Center. The title – To Kill A