🐍 Open Python + Linux Tutoring
2025-06-20 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-06-27 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Iffy Books, 404 S. 20th St., Philadelphia, 19146, United States
Stay tuned for details!

🛜 E̶S̶P̶3̶2̶ ̶C̶a̶p̶t̶i̶v̶e̶ ̶P̶o̶r̶t̶a̶l̶ ̶W̶o̶r̶k̶s̶h̶o̶p̶ (canceled this week)
2025-06-20 11:15 - 12:30
We’re updating our captive portal workshop from a few years, and we’re having issues getting things to work reliably across platforms. So we’re canceling this week’s class while we work out the kinks. Sorry for the inconvenience!

🏠 Host a Website at Home
2025-06-20 13:00 - 16:00
Join us for the workshop Host a Website at Home! You’ll learn to run a web server using nginx on a single-board computer, letting you host a website from your home internet connection.
We’ll have home server kits available for $52. Here’s what’s included:
• Orange Pi Zero 3 single-board computer
• Micro HDMI adapter cable
• 20W power supply w/ USB-C port
• 60W USB-C to USB-C power cable (6″)
• 2 rubber bands
• zip tie (4″)
Here’s what you’ll need at home:
• Monitor or TV w/ HDMI input
• micro SD card (16GB or larger)
• Ethernet cable • HDMI cable
• USB keyboard with USB-A plug
Register:

📡 Meshtastic 101
2025-06-21 10:30 - 12:00
Join us for an introduction to Meshtastic, an application that lets you send private text messages over the air using pocket-sized LoRa radio transceivers. We’ll show you how to flash the latest Meshtastic firmware to the device, customize the settings, and start chatting with your friends.
Here’s a link to our zine on LoRa + Meshtastic.
Register:

✏️ T̶h̶e̶ ̶W̶r̶i̶t̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶R̶o̶o̶m̶ (canceled this week due to heat!)
2025-06-24 17:00 - 19:30
We’re calling off The Writing Room on June 24th due to 100° heat in the forecast. See y’all next week!
# Come co-work with other writers in three 40-minute units of silent writing. Writers and projects of any type welcome. 10-minute breaks and accountability check-ins between units. BYO coffee, water, computer chargers, notepads, etc.

☀️ Solar Music Synth Workshop
2025-06-25 10:00 - 11:00
Join us and build a tiny solar-powered square wave generator on a breadboard. No soldering required! The workshop is free to attend, but you’ll need to purchase a kit for $12.50 to complete the project.
Here’s a link to the how-to zine we’ll use.
And here’s a diagram of the oscillator circuit we’ll build:

Register:

🎤 Audio Editing with Reaper
2025-06-25 11:15 - 12:30
Stay tuned for details & registration!

🎤 Audio Editing with Reaper
2025-06-25 11:15 - 12:30, 2025-07-02 11:15 - 12:30
Bring a laptop and learn the basics of audio editing! We’ll start by making a recording of a poem as a group, passing the mic after each line. Then we’ll work on removing silences using Reaper, a free-to-use digital audio workstation (DAW) that works on Mac, Windows, and Linux.
No registration needed for this one. See you there!

🎶 Pico MP3 Sampler Workshop
2025-06-25 13:00 - 16:00
Create your own digital audio sampler using a Pi Pico clone board! This project requires some soldering. It’s recommended for folks who have soldered once or twice before, but beginners are welcome too. For the programming portion, you can bring a laptop or use one of our lab computers.
You’ll need to buy a kit for $16.95 to complete this project. We’re suggesting a $10–25 donation for the workshop.
➡️ Instructions & example code
Here’s what’s included in the kit:
• RP2040/Pi Pico board
• wood block w/ pilot holes
• 3.5mm stereo jack w/ screw terminals
• 2×4 push button keypad
• 2 push button switches
• 10 screws
• tiny screwdriver
• 20 header pins
• 4.7 uF capacitor
• 9 port to port jumper wires
• 2 port to stripped jumper wires
• 1″ stripped wire
• 3″ tie wire
• 8 plastic spacer rings
• micro USB cable w/ data
Register
Registration for this event is now closed. We'll offer it again soon!

🪐 Speculative Futures Reading Group: 'The Lathe of Heaven' by Ursula K. Le Guin
2025-06-25 19:00 - 20:30
The Speculative Futures Reading Group meets on the last Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m.!

🚫 USB Data Blocker Soldering Class
2025-06-26 10:00 - 11:00
Charging your phone in a public place can be stressful. What if someone is collecting your metadata for marketing purposes? What if they’re copying your files or installing malware? A USB data blocker can help! It’s a little adapter with the data terminals left disconnected, so you can charge your phone anywhere without fear.
This is a relatively quick soldering project, perfect for total beginners. We’ll have soldering irons and supplies to share.
Register:
Registration for this event is now closed. We'll offer it again soon!

⚙️ DIY Macro Keyboard Workshop
2025-06-26 11:15 - 12:30
For this workshop you’ll use a Pi Pico board and CircuitPython to create a programmable mechanical keyboard with two keys. No soldering experience necessary!
To complete this project you’ll need to buy a kit for $14. Here’s what’s included:
• RP2040/Pi Pico board
• 2 mechanical keyboard switches
• 2 key caps
• oak base with pilot holes
• 4 stripped wires (2″)
• 1 mm heat shrink tubing (3″)
• 4 M2 screws
• 4 M2 spacer rings
• sandpaper square
➡️ Instructions & links
Register

📻 FM Transmitter Soldering Class
2025-06-26 13:00 - 16:00
Come out and get some soldering practice! This time we’re assembling a short-range FM transmitter kit with a built-in mic and a 1/8″ audio input jack.
This project is recommended for folks who have soldered at least once or twice before. If you’re brand new to soldering, we recommend taking a beginner class first.
Register:

• Transmission Distance: 5-50m
• Transmission Frequency: 88-108MHz
• Audio Input: -15dB (max)
• Operating Voltage: DC 2.7V-3.3V
• Operating Current: 5-15mA

🔉 Modular 101: A Crash Course in Modular Synthesis
2025-06-26 18:00 - 21:00
Modular 101: In this crash course you will learn the basics of sound design with a modular synthesizer. We will cover all the basic components from shaping sound waves to end of chain effects, a little synth history, and debate west coast vs east coast style! No experience needed. This is an introductory workshop! There will be a number of synths to explore and practice your newfound wisdom!
Register:

👻 Wi-Fi Tricks with Ghost ESP
2025-06-27 11:15 - 12:30
If you’re interested in learning about wi-fi and Bluetooth networking but can’t justify buying a Flipper Zero, this workshop is for you! Ghost ESP is a network analysis/testing tool that can run on a low-cost ESP32 microcontroller, as well as variants including the ESP32-C3. Ghost ESP offers wi-fi scanning, custom SSID beacons, captive portal mode, BLE scanning, and even deauth attacks (for demo/testing purposes).
It’s super easy to get started! In this workshop we’ll install Ghost ESP on our ESP32 & ESP32-C3 devices using the ESPressoFlash web flasher. Then we’ll interact with Ghost ESP using the Ghost ESP web serial console or the Arduino IDE.
➡️ Link to the how-to zine (still a work in progress)
Register:
Registration for this event is now closed. We'll offer it again soon!

🏠 Host a Website at Home
2025-06-27 13:00 - 16:00
Join us for the workshop Host a Website at Home! You’ll learn to run a web server using nginx on a single-board computer, letting you host a website from your home internet connection.
We’ll have home server kits available for $52. Here’s what’s included:
• Orange Pi Zero 3 single-board computer
• Micro HDMI adapter cable
• 20W power supply w/ USB-C port
• 60W USB-C to USB-C power cable (6″)
• 2 rubber bands
• zip tie (4″)
Here’s what you’ll need at home:
• Monitor or TV w/ HDMI input
• micro SD card (16GB or larger)
• Ethernet cable • HDMI cable
• USB keyboard with USB-A plug
Register:
Registration for this event is now closed. We'll offer it again soon!

📶 LoRa Mods: Header Pins & Vibration Motors
2025-06-27 16:00 - 17:30

📚 librarypunk podcast taping
2025-06-28 16:00 - 18:00
librarypunk is live in Philly for the first time ever at ALA Annual Conference!

✏️ The Writing Room
2025-07-01 17:00 - 19:30, 2025-07-08 17:00 - 19:30
Come co-work with other writers in three 40-minute units of silent writing. Writers and projects of any type welcome. 10-minute breaks and accountability check-ins between units. BYO coffee, water, computer chargers, notepads, etc.

🔁 Cassette Tape Loop Workshop
2025-07-02 10:00 - 11:00
Learn to make physical audio loops with used cassette tapes! No experience needed.
For the workshop we’ll be using cassettes with screws in the corners, which are easier to take apart but less common than the ones fastened with glue. We’ll have regular cassette tapes for $1 each if you want to keep experimenting at home.
Register:

Step 1: Choose a used cassette tape.
Step 2: Rewind the tape and record a minute or two of music, your voice, and/or percussion sounds. Then eject it.
Step 3: At the bottom of the cassette there’s a small area where the magnetic tape is exposed. Use a paperclip or pencil to pull the tape out an inch or so, then cut the tape with scissors. The recording you just made is now on the smaller spool, while the bigger spool contains whatever was originally on the tape.
Step 4: If you’re using a glued-together cassette (no screws), carefully separate the plastic shells using a pry tool. Ask the instructor for help. If you have a cassette with screws, use a tiny screwdriver to unscrew all four corners.
Step 5: Print and assemble tape loop template.
Step 6: Cut several 9″–10″ lengths of cassette tape.
Step 7: Wrap a length of tape around your template tube and attach the ends with a tiny drop of superglue. To avoid using too much glue, you may want to apply it using the tip of a needle.
Step 8: Put your loop into a cassette shell and screw the corners together.
Step 9: Load the tape into a tape player and press play!

🎸 Thrash Bot Workshop
2025-07-02 11:15 - 12:30
We’re making guitar-playing robots with Pi Pico microcontrollers and 360° servo motors! We’ll provide soldering irons and supplies.
To complete this workshop you’ll need to buy a kit for $10. Here’s what’s included:
• RP2040/Pi Pico board
• 360° servo motor w/ attachments & screws
• tiny screwdriver
• micro USB cable w/data
• 6 header pins
• guitar string (11″)
• twist tie wire (5″)
• pattern for cardboard stand
Register:
Registration for this event is now closed. We'll offer it again soon!

🔊 DIY Audio Meter Soldering Class
2025-07-02 13:00 - 16:00
Join us for another beginner-friendly soldering project at Iffy Books! You’ll assemble a DIY audio meter kit, which you can use to visualize an audio signal’s amplitude.
To complete this project you’ll need to buy a kit for $7.95. We’re suggesting a $5–$20 donation for the class, no one turned away for lack of funds. We’ll provide soldering irons and solder.
Register:
Registration for this event is now closed. We'll offer it again soon!

🎵 Guitar Cable Soldering Class
2025-07-03 10:00 - 11:00
Join us for a relatively quick and easy soldering workshop, suitable for total beginners! You’ll strip some wires and solder 1/4-inch plugs to the ends, creating your own guitar cable.
You can get a kit with 6 inches of cable for $4.25, or 4 feet for $13.50. We’re suggesting a $5–$15 donation for the class, notaflof.
Register:
Registration for this event is now closed. We'll offer it again soon!

🎲 Pico Game Timer & Dice Workshop
2025-07-03 11:15 - 12:30
Learn to make a programmable game timer and dice with a Pi Pico microcontroller! First you’ll solder six LEDs, two switches, and a vibration motor to the board’s GPIO pins. Then you’ll install and customize the CircuitPython code that makes it work. No experience needed!
You’ll need to buy a kit for $9 to complete this project. Here’s what’s included:
• RP2040/Pi Pico Board
• 6 LED lights
• vibration motor
• 2 push button switches
• 4 screws
• 4 spacers
• wood base
Register:

❤️ LED Heart Soldering Class
2025-07-03 13:00 - 16:00
Come out and get some soldering practice! This time we’re making a heart-shaped board with 22 LEDs, using an oscillator circuit to dim and brighten them at the speed you choose.
This project is ideal for folks who have soldered at least once before. Beginners are welcome to join us, but it may take you more than one session to finish. Working with a friend is encouraged!
The kit you’ll need to complete this project costs $5.50. We’re suggesting a $10–$25 donation for the class, no one turned away for lack of funds.
➡️ Link to instructions

Register:
Registration for this event is now closed. We'll offer it again soon!

📚 Capital Reading Group
2025-07-03 19:00 - 21:00
Join us for a discussion on Marx’s Capital. For July 3rd we’re reading ‘Machinery and Large-Scale Industry.’
We’re reading Paul Reitter’s recent translation (Princeton University Press, 2024).

📡 Meshtastic 101
2025-07-05 10:30 - 12:00
Join us for an introduction to Meshtastic, an application that lets you send private text messages over the air using pocket-sized LoRa radio transceivers. We’ll show you how to flash the latest Meshtastic firmware to the device, customize the settings, and start chatting with your friends.
Here’s a link to our zine on LoRa + Meshtastic.
Register:
Registration for this event is now closed. We'll offer it again soon!
