The Memorial Day holiday weekend is here and with it the unofficial start of the summer season!

Besides most people being off from work, "goin' down the shore" for some sun and fun, and taking in parades and fairs, a lot of people will also be firing up their grills for backyard cookouts and neighborhood block parties with family and friends.

Here is a "Friday Five" of cookbooks that will help you spice up your barbeque recipes, whether you are grilling meat or veggies, and some tasty concoctions to help you wash it all down with too!

	BBQ Bash by Karen Adler and Judith M. Fertig This book's subtitle touts it as the "The Be-all, End-all Party Guide, from Barefoot to Black Tie", and at over 250 pages and 100 recipes it delivers on its promise. Tons of fun, creative and innovative ideas abound from charcoal vs. gas grilling, smoking, skewering, stir-grilling, cocktail suggestions, music selections, and table settings. Chapters are divided into appetizers, entrées, sides and salads, and desserts. You'll be able to have fun grilling and still have time to enjoy your guests if you follow the recipes and suggestions in this book!
	The Vegetarian Grill by Andrea Chesman   Nominated for a James Beard Foundation Book Award and winner of a National Barbecue Association Award of Excellence, this book is not just for vegetarians but anyone who wants to grill up some veggies and spice up side dishes with leafy green variety. Lessons on using a vegetable grill rack and a grill-wok are informative and essential to bringing out the best flavor in your vegetables. In the over 200 recipes included, you'll learn how to grill up veggie quesadillas, falafel, and garlic, tomatoes, and sweet peppers to add to a grilled pasta. There are even recipes for grilled deserts like grilled pears with chocolate sauce! Yum!
	The Barbecue! Bible by Steven Raichlen   Winner of the Julia Child Cookbook Award, Steven Raichlen's The Barbecue! Bible has been the go-to source for outdoor cooking novices and experts alike for the past 15 years. Got questions on what wood to use, how long should you marinate meat, indirect or direct heat grilling methods, and what temperature should certain foods be cooked? You'll find all of those answers and more in this book! More than 500 recipes are collected, from essentials like burgers, chicken, and ribs, to spice rubs and sauce preparation, and all manner of side dishes and desserts that can be prepared on an open flame. Tons of how-to's and lots of pictures to help illustrate techniques as well. Get Grillin'!
	Grilling Vegan Style by John E. Schlimm   So what do you do when you have friends or family coming over to your party and they won't be able to eat a burger because they are vegan? You get this book! Lots of simple and delicious recipes using fresh homemade ingredients and seasonings to please the palette of any vegan diet, like homemade vegan burgers, bbq tofu, tempeh satay, and veggie kebabs. Some of the dishes have fun names too like Seventh Inning Stretch "Tacos", Tattooed Watermelon Salad, King Wasabi Marinade, and Party on South Peach Salsa. So slide that meat to the side and give some vegan cooking a try!
	Classic Summer Cocktails by Mr. Boston, edited by Anthony Giglio & Jim Meehan   I'm not quite sure who Mr. Boston is (maybe a relative to Mr. Peanut?), but he knows some great recipes for mixing up a cool, tasty drink on a hot summer day! The summer "classics" are indeed all here: Mojitos, Mint Juleps, Mai-Tai's, Margaritas, and Shandys (beer + lemonade). There are also recipes for some lesser-known drinks with names like the Velvet Rosa (champagne, rum, peach schnapps and cranberry juice!), Tropical White Sangria, and Brazilian Raspberry Rickey. With more than 100 drink recipes, both alcoholic and non-alcholic, there's definitely drinks for everyone's taste! Don't forget to stock up on lots of ice!

Browse search topics like "BBQ", "cookbooks", and "cocktails" for more great books from our library.

Leave a comment below and let us know what some of your favorite foods and drinks are to have at a barbeque, cookout, or party!

Tags: Friday Five, How To

You may have noticed a few of our librarians' shining faces around town lately on buses, billboards, subway placards, and more, as part of our ad campaign in partnership with ADLOOP. We thought you may want to get to know a little more about these awesome information gurus who smile back at you every day on your commute home. Last week, you met Adam. Now, say hello to K-Fai!

Your favorite thing about your job:
I love my job because it gives me the opportunity to work at the ground level with people. Hot Spots are unique library locations because they're embedded within community centers. Every day I interact with people from the North Philadelphia community in a new and unique way--but it’s on their turf. My job is focused around helping people learn how to use computers and the internet. Many people who come in have never used a mouse before. There’s nothing better than helping someone successfully do something for the first time, like apply for a job or write a résumé. I love cheerleading people through the job application process, because more often than not, applying for jobs can be so discouraging and arduous, particularly when you’re not comfortable using a computer or the internet. I love being able to say “great job” to someone who has overcome a huge learning obstacle--we celebrate every success in the Hot Spot at The Village of Arts and Humanities, regardless of how big or small.

Your computer superpower:
My superpower? I can help someone to write an amazing résumé in 30 minutes--even if they’ve never had a job before.
 
Most pervasive (and incorrect) stereotype about techies:
I think the most incorrect stereotype about techies is that we fixate on minutiae and can’t see “the big picture,” which also means that we’re so detail-driven that we completely lack social skills. It’s not true--I love engaging patrons on all levels, and sometimes you accomplish more with a conversation than by sitting on the internet for an hour.
 
Most pervasive (and, okay, maybe a *little* correct) stereotype about techies:
That we try to push resources on you. We want to help!
 
Insider tip about the Free Library’s digital resources:
AP Images is a great resource to use copyright-free images to create flyers, greeting cards, and more. We use it to help people who want help with graphic design projects. It looks a lot better than clip art!
 

Tags: Check Us Out

OverDrive will release an updated version of the OverDrive Media Console (OMC) mobile app for iOS and Android (v2.6.5) on Tuesday, May 28. This change will effect people who use the Overdrive app to read ebooks or listen to audiobooks on their iOS or Android smartphone or tablet.  Below is a summary of the release details.

Overdrive Update for Apple/iOS v2.6.5

In addition to improving the speed of the in-app browser and a few bug fixes, the updated Overdrive app will require you to reauthorize your Adobe ID. This re-authorization is required by Apple and reflects changes in Apple's privacy policies. As a result, the Overdrive App for iOS will de-authorize every users’ Adobe ID and prompt them to authorize again. Audiobook users will be unaffected unless attempting to download parts from a book that was only partially downloaded prior to the update.
 
eBooks – Adobe Authorization

After installing the update, users with authorized Adobe IDs in place will see the following message:
 

Clicking ‘Sign In’ will show the ‘Adobe Authorization’ screen. The deauthorized Adobe ID will be pre-populated and you will only need to enter your password. The ‘Forgot password?’ link will be also available.

Audiobooks – Help downloading additional parts

If you have an audiobook checked out at the time of the update, you won’t notice anything different unless you attempt to download additional parts an audiobook that was not entirely downloaded to the app before the update. In this case, the following message is displayed:
 
 
 

If you see this message, you will need to download the title again from your bookshelf on our Overdrive website.

If you run into trouble with these updates, please contact us for help. 

Tags: ebooks

Did you know that last week was Children’s Book Week, the longest running literacy initiative in the US? Fear not, Free Library staff has curated “Oh, the places you’ll go”, a wonderful exhibit highlighting Book Week resources to help encourage your emerging readers. Additionally, staff has presented a lovely collection of vintage Children’s Book Week posters. You can view this digital exhibit here. You may also want to check out the Book Week's Children's Choice Award winner, Nighttime Ninja, availible at your local branch!

Tags: Children's books, Exhibitions, Pre-K

Google recently announced updates to their Maps API script, with more updates planned this summer for their overall Maps platform.
The Free Library uses this API to display Google Maps in various locations on our website, most notably our Branch Map and Map Mosaic.
In preparation for Google's update, Free Library web development staff worked to upgrade the code and data displayed on the maps, as well as add some new usability features for our customers.

Branch Map
The branch map has been updated to perform like most common “store locators” found on popular retail websites.

You can now quickly view all library branches on the map at once or select which branches are open on Saturday, have a Book Drop, or are handicapped accessible.

When you click on an icon, you can see the branch address, phone number, and business hours. Customers can also type in their location and find their nearest library branches.

Map Mosaic
We've combined our map mosaic and HIP (Historical Images of Philadelphia) map into one robust and interactive digital map for customers to explore our vast collection of historical maps, digital images, and newly gathered map data for the Philadelphia region. You can select from 4 different Google Map displays: Road Map, Earth Satellite, Hybrid Map, and Terrain Map.

From the Historical Maps drop-down menu, you can select various historical maps to overlay on top of Google map of Philadelphia. The screenshot below is displaying 1934 Brewer Map of Philadelphia overlaid on top of a Google Road Map of Philadelphia.

From the Historical Images of Philadelphia drop-down menu, you can select from numerous neighborhoods and see historical images from bygone eras of Philadelphia.

We also added a new section entitled “Explore Philadelphia Today” which displays user-generated photos (via Panoramio) from around the entire city, Philly bicycle paths, and traffic in real-time.

We hope to add more helpful city services data and features to this section in the future (i.e. list of Philadelphia Public Schools, Hospitals, Parks, etc.).

There are many viewing options and configurations you can set on these maps, making it a truly immersive experience!

Try out our new map features and leave us some feedback below!

Tags: Branches, databases, maps, tech, website