Welcome to our biweekly update on events happening during the next two weeks at The New York Public Library. With 92 locations across New York City, a lot is happening at the Library. We're highlighting some of our events here—including author talks, free classes, community art shows, performances, concerts, and exhibitions—and you can always find more at nypl.org/events. If you want our round-up in your inbox, sign up here. We look forward to seeing you at the Library.

Stephen A. Schwarzman Building

LIVE from the NYPL

3/3: Yiyun Li and Mary Gaitskill: Yiyun Li, the author of the acclaimed short story collection A Thousand Years of Good Prayers, comes to the Library to discuss her new memoir about her two-year battle with suicidal depression and her journey of recovery through books. Together with novelist Mary Gaitskill (The Mare,  Secretary), Li will explore the central questions of her book: why we write, read, and live. Celeste Auditorium, 7 PM.

Free Events at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building

2/28: Cravings: Judy Collins: Singer-songwriter Judy Collins has inspired audiences for half a century with sublime vocals, beautiful songs, and a firm commitment to social activism since the 1960's. Now, she has published Cravings, a no-holds-barred account of her struggle with compulsive overeating and of the journey that led her to heal. Celeste Auditorium, 6:30 PM.

3/1: Rorschach's Inkblots: Damion Searls and Mark Krotov: Conversations from the Cullman presents Damion Searls (Cullman Fellow 2013-14) on his latest book, The Inkblots, which explores the history of the Rorschach test and the life of its creator, Hermann Rorschach. Searls will be joined by n+1 publisher Mark Krotov. Berger Forum, 7 PM.

The Schomburg Center

2/23: Between the Lines: Adrian Miller: Adrian Miller discusses his book,The President’s Kitchen Cabinet: The Story of the African Americans Who Have Fed Our First Families from the Washingtons to the Obamas, a fascinating and entertaining work uncovering anecdotes, recipes, and little-known insights about the lives of black presidential chefs and the presidents they served. 6:30 PM.

2/23: Lapidus Talks: Afro-Iberians as Black European Sailors, Soldiers, and Traders: From 1471 to 1700, enslaved and free Africa- and Europe-born African people made up nearly 20% of southern Iberia’s urban populations. Leo Garofalo reveals the little know history of these sailors, soldiers, traders, artisans, and servants, who helped shape Iberian, Ibero-American, and Philippine societies in an era of Spanish colonial expansion.12 PM.

Mondays in March, beginning 3/6: Ella, Ella: A Centennial Celebration of Mama Jazz: The Schomburg's annual Women's Jazz Festival honors the centennial birthday of Ella Fitzgerald, featuring concerts every Monday night in March dedicated to her influence on jazz music. Various times.

Library for the Performing Arts

2/25: Mixed Doubles: Pianist Raj Bhimani in Recital: Acclaimed concert pianist Raj Bhimani presents a recital featuring, Mixed Doubles, a new work written collaboratively by two contemporary French composers, plus beloved master works by Brahms and Ravel. Bruno Walter Auditorium, 2:30 PM.

3/4: Rule, Britannia!: During the 18th-century, Britain experienced a rapid expansion in their influence around the globe. In this concert, Broadwood Junction, the imaginative period instrument piano trio, will explore how composers of this era commemorated the exploits of a rising British superpower. Bruno Walter Auditorium, 2:30 PM.

Mid-Manhattan Library

2/21: Other Minds: The Octopus, the Sea, and the Deep Origins of Consciousness: Peter Godfrey-Smith, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at the CUNY Graduate Center, combines science and philosophy in this illustrated lecture exploring of the evolution of consciousness in octopi. 6:30 PM.

2/22: Wild by Design: Strategies for Creating Life-Enhancing Landscapes: Award-winning designer Margie Ruddick discusses how landscape design can better incorporate natural processes and organic growth to make cities more livable, beautiful, and sustainable. The Corner Room, 6:30 PM.

3/1: Coffee & Connections: An expert comes to the library to answer any and all questions about New York's resources and services for homeless people, and provide useful tips and information. Room 101, 9 AM.

Science, Industry, and Business Library

2/22: Finding the Right Investment Advisor: Peter J. Creedon CFP® discusses what you should know before you hire a financial professional: credentials, compensation, and standards of customer care. Learn how to evaluate different services provided so that you can find the appropriate professional for your needs. Conference Room 018, 3 PM.

2/23: Tax Tips for Freelancers: Representatives from the IRS are here to guide startups, established freelancers, entrepreneurs, and independent contractors about their tax requirements and recordkeeping responsibilities. Attendees will learn about deductible business expenses, self-employment tax and more advanced tax topics.  Conference Room 018, 3 PM.

3/1: Caterpillar to Butterfly: How to Discover and Move on to Your Next Career: Looking for a career change? Career coach Win Sheffield helps you discover how you can bring value to a new industry or new field, and how to leverage your unique background as a competitive edge in a changing marketplace. Conference Room 018, 6 PM.

NYC Neighborhood Library Awards

Nominations accepted through March 13, 2017: The 4th annual NYC Neighborhood Library Awards recognize and reward public libraries for being the unsung heroes of New York—nominate your local library today and it could win $20,000! This year, six NYC libraries will be awarded $20,000 each. Celebrate your amazing neighborhood libraries and share your stories by nominating an NYPL branch. 

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More Events

Note: Visit nypl.org/events or call ahead for the latest information, as programs and hours are subject to change or cancellation.