American Library in Paris, Paris Videos

On 6 June 2024, more than 265 Library friends convened at the Automobile Club de France for a joyous evening in support of the American Library in Paris. Guest of Honor Maureen Dowd entertained us with her anecdotes of US Presidents, and gave an emotional tribute to D-Day. Thanks to the generosity of our community, this was one of our most successful Galas in our 104-year history, raising over 300,000€ for the Library's collections, programs, and services. The Board of Trustees and the Library team would like to express their sincere gratitude to the Gala guests, including the following table sponsors: Forrest Alogna and Sandrine Poisson Domaine des Cœuriots Jeanne and Peter Fellowes Leslie and Geoffroy de Galbert Steven and Barbara Gerber Clydette and Charles de Groot Gregory Annenberg Weingarten, GRoW @ Annenberg Jade Vu Henry and Fabrice Henry Julien Horn and Anne Mény-Horn Rob and Sherry Johnson Heather and Robert Keane William and Maria Kelly Ishtar Méjanès Luis Roth and Jennifer Dalrymple Stifel Charles Trueheart and Anne Swardson Edward and Mary Lee Turner Marshall and Deborah Wais Laura Wenke Laura and Mark Yockey If you'd like to find out more about becoming a Library donor or Gala sponsor, please contact [email protected]. Video by Alfonso Sjogreen.

Discover true crime titles in the Members’ Lounge and join the search for truth in the darkest corners of humanity. 😱

Songs We Sing at The American Library in Paris!
We love reading AND singing here at the American Library in Paris! All ages are welcome on 24 September at 12h to join musician and educator Matt Black for an hour of silly songs—including childhood classics, Library favorites, and surprises. Register on the Library website!

Librarian Kirsty asked her cat, Skye, to help her choose her next summer read. Skye chose Roxane Gay's debut novel, UNTAMED STATE, winner of an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work, Fiction in 2015. Bravo, Skye! @rgay @naacpimageawards #americanlibraryinparis #cats #catsreading #catsofinstagram #librariesofinstagram #book #summerreading #bookrecommendations #internationalcatday #naacpimageawards #roxanegay

🍨 On Saturday, 6 August at 14h, join us for ice-cream sundaes and a farewell party for Children’s and Teens’ Services Librarian Kirsty! 🍨 This event is for ages 12–18. •• Children’s and Teens’ Services Librarian and YAFF Coordinator Kirsty will be leaving the American Library in Paris at the end of the summer to relocate back to Scotland. Kirsty’s contributions since she first began at the Library in 2015 are innumerable. She spearheaded the effort to grow YAFF to the incredible festival it has become, and she set a very high bar for accessibility in our catalog, along with assisting voracious readers find great books every day she comes to work. Kirsty will remain a part of the library community, and will continue as YAFF Coordinator on a volunteer basis for 2023.

Unicorns in Scotland?! 🦄 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 On Saturday, 6 August at 11h00, join us for a Scotland and unicorn-themed farewell party for Children’s Librarian Kirsty! For all ages! •• Children’s and Teens’ Services Librarian and YAFF Coordinator Kirsty will be leaving the American Library in Paris at the end of the summer to relocate back to Scotland. Kirsty’s contributions since she first began at the Library in 2015 are innumerable. She spearheaded the effort to grow YAFF to the incredible festival it has become, and she set a very high bar for accessibility in our catalog, along with assisting voracious readers find great books every day she comes to work. Kirsty will remain a part of the library community, and will continue as YAFF Coordinator on a volunteer basis for 2023.

Happy Bastille Day from the American Library in Paris! 🇫🇷 The Library will be closed today, and we look forward to welcoming you back on Friday, 15 July.

Brownies and words…two things that are *very* essential to life 😉 Join us on 16 July at 14h for homemade brownies and a game of Banagrams! There’s no need to be a pro at word games to enjoy this activity. If you’ve never played, Children’s and Teens’ Services Librarian Kirsty will teach you the rules of the game, with the help of Library volunteers. For ages 12-18.

This Friday, join us for our final Teen Night of the season! We have an epic night planned, including snacks and drinks… 🍿🍪🥤 First, deceive your friends and come out as the victor in a game of “Werewolf.” 🐺 Then, gear up for a game of reverse-tag in “Sardines!” 🐟 Who could ask for a better way to kick off summer vacation? Register today on the Library website!

Watch our visiting librarian Jessie tell us why she recommends PRIDE by Ibi Zoboi and drop by our teen mezzanine if you would like to check it out!

Visit the Members’ Lounge to see staff member Claire Hargreaves’ latest book display, showcasing titles that have been recently translated from French into English. This curated collection including fiction, poetry, memoir, and an empirical study of Paris. You don’t have to be a fluent French-speaker (or reader) to enjoy some of the latest releases in French. Your Library membership gives you access to a large selection of books that have been translated into English in recent years. As always, all displayed books are available for checkout. #americanlibraryinparis #bookstagramfrance #bookstagram #recommendedreading #summerreading #librariesofinstagram #frenchliterature #translation #frenchtoenglish #readinglist

A picture may be worth 1000 words, but pre-Instagram, smart phones, video chat, and TikTok, teens had to write it in a letter! 💌 On Friday 3 June at 19h, join memoir-writer Jane Mobille and learn a bit about writing from the ❤️! We’ll read and laugh over a pile of original letters written by teens in the 1970s, then you’ll pick up your own pen and write a letter to a friend! Register on the Library website -- for ages 12-18.

The Library has had several homes in Paris over the last 102 years. Discover them with our new postcard set of images from our archives, yours for a 5€ donation. We also have new tote bags for 20€, featuring an image of our 1950s façade! Available at the Member Services desk. #americanlibraryinparis #archives #paris7 #librariesofinstagram #postcardsfromtheworld #postcardsfromparis #totebag #supportyourlocallibrary #history #parishistorique

It’s a beautiful day to take a stroll around the Champ de Mars and stop by the Library for a book! We’re open Saturdays until 19h00! See you soon, Paris bookworms! #eiffeltower #champdemars #parislife #paris75007 #lesparisiennes #bookwormlife

On Saturday 14 May at 11h, join author Scott Hobbs for an interactive poetry workshop at the Library! 🖊 Scott will read several poems from his book, “An Act of Imagination,” and brainstorm ideas with the group before leading participants in the creation of their own poems. Register on the Library website! For ages 6-12.

Is there a book you really enjoyed this week? We'd love to know about it! Take a photo of your book and share it with us on Instagram in honor of the final day of the Read-a-Thon! 📖 ❤️ A big THANK YOU to everyone who participated in the 2022 Read-a-Thon! We hope you got some good vacation reading done. Here's what to do next: 1. Tell your friends and family how much you read, and collect your pledges (promised donations) from your sponsors! 2. Submit your pledge sheet at the Library or by email by Saturday 14 May at 14h00. 3. Turn in donations online or in-person at the Library by Saturday 14 May at 14h00. 4. And, of course, attend our finale celebration on Saturday 14 May at 14h00 to find out the top readers and raffle winners, to meet other bookworms, and collect your certificate of participation!

Is there a book you really enjoyed this week? We'd love to know about it! Take a photo of your book and share it with us on Instagram in honor of the final day of the Read-a-Thon! 📖 ❤️ A big THANK YOU to everyone who participated in the 2022 Read-a-Thon! We hope you got some good vacation reading done. Here's what to do next: 1. Tell your friends and family how much you read, and collect your pledges (promised donations) from your sponsors! 2. Submit your pledge sheet at the Library or by email by Saturday 14 May at 14h00. 3. Turn in donations online or in-person at the Library by Saturday 14 May at 14h00. 4. And, of course, attend our finale celebration on Saturday 14 May at 14h00 to find out the top readers and raffle winners, to meet other bookworms, and collect your certificate of participation!

Check out Front of House Assistant Claire’s new book display on French female artists of the 1920s, now in the Members’ Lounge. Claire was inspired by the art exhibition "Pionnières" at the Musée du Luxembourg in the 6th arrondissement, open now through 10 July. Learn about artist Tamara de Lempicka, performer Josephine Baker, writer Gertrude Stein, and others. All displayed books are available for checkout. #americanlibraryinparis #roaringtwenties #womenartists #josephinebaker #tamaradelempicka #gertrudestein #readingrecommendations #museedeluxembourg #pionnières #parismuseum #flappers #artdeco

Any guesses as the where this photo was taken? 👀 .. We're loving the greenery popping up all over Paris now that Spring has returned to the city! The lovely colors of our sprayed-edge books definitely help liven the place up a bit, too...😉 Stop by the Library and grab a colorful novel from our Teen Mezzanine! Books are for reading, but these books in particular can also make some pretty photos! 🌷

Find out more about our 2022 Read-a-Thon on the Library website! 📖 It’s taking place this year from 1–7 May! There are great prizes for all participants! 🏆