Iffy Books | 404 S. 20th St., PHL

🚧 Make Your First Website
2026-09-14 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Iffy Books, 404 S. 20th St., Philadelphia, 19146, United States
Make a home page like it’s 1999! Join us at Iffy Books for a new workshop called Make Your First Website, led by Ragman a.k.a. Richard Green. You’ll learn the basics of HTML and create a static site on the free hosting service Neocities. No experience necessary!
Please bring a laptop if you have one. We’re suggesting a $10–$25 donation for this workshop, no one turned away for lack of funds.
Register:
Coming soon!

🔊 DJ Basixxx with Mixxx
2026-09-13 16:00 - 18:00, 2026-08-30 16:00 - 18:00 | Iffy Books, 404 S. 20th St., Philadelphia, 19146, United States
If you’re curious about DJing but don’t have money to drop on equipment, this workshop is for you! You’ll learn to use Mixxx, a free and open source DJ program for macOS, Windows, and Linux. Mixxx supports a wide range of DJ controller hardware, but to make it more accessible we’re using regular QWERTY keyboards with stickers on the important keys. We’ll teach you to find tracks on the web, load them into Mixxx, and get started with beatmatching. It’s easier then you think!
You’ll need to bring your own laptop and headphones for this workshop. We also recommend bringing a separate USB keyboard if you have one, ideally with a row of function keys (F1, F2, F3, etc.). If you have an external audio interface, you’re welcome to bring that too.
The DJ controller sticker sheets we’re using are available on our online store. Or print your own (4″ x 4″) on sticker paper!
➡️ Workshop instructions
Register:
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Name/pseudonym:Email address:EmailConfirm EmailBuy a sticker sheet (optional)DJ controller keyboard stickers - $2.70(price includes tax)Instructor donation:$0 / donate later$5$10$15$20$25(suggested $5–$20)Credit card info: *CardName on CardComments or questions?Submit

CircuitPython code for turning a Pi Pico board into a USB keyboard

🧵 Anarchist Sewing Club
2026-09-13 15:00 - 17:00 | Iffy Books, 404 S. 20th St., Philadelphia, 19146, United States
Interested in learning to sew, mend or make clothes? Already know how and wanna hang out with people while sewing? Come and join us! Sewing supplies and a sewing machine will be available for anyone needing them.

Image credit

📍 Offline GPS Unit Workshop
2026-09-11 14:00 - 16:00 | Iffy Books, 404 S. 20th St., Philadelphia, 19146, United States
In this workshop you’ll build a device that displays your GPS coordinates and the current time, without connecting to the internet or transmitting anything. 100% passive and off-grid, no internet or cell connection needed!
We’ll use the MicroPython programming language and the Thonny IDE, following the instructions on this page.
You’ll need to purchase a kit to complete this project, which includes the following parts:

RP2040 Pi Pico microcontroller unit w/ pre-soldered header pins
830 tie point solderless breadboard
NEO-6 GPS unit w/ antenna
0.96″ OLED display
Single-core 22AWG jumper wire (30″)
rubber band (to attach GPS antenna to breadboard)

Register:
coming soon!

⚙️ Neo-Luddite Reading Group: 'The Technological Society' by Jacques Ellul (pt. 2 of 3)
2026-09-10 18:30 - 20:30 | Iffy Books, 404 S. 20th St., Philadelphia, 19146, United States
This is our second of three meetings on The Technological Society by Jacques Ellul. Check out the full schedule at victorgom.es/neoluddite
➡️ Virtual Meetup Link
Discord: Email neoluddite@victorgom.es for an invite!
If you’re joining for the first time, I’d suggest you read this before anything else for brief context: What the Luddites Really Fought Against by Richard Conniff.The only expectation is that you read the chapter(s) of the book that’s listed for that meeting. You’re still welcome to participate if you haven’t done the readings as long as you are mindful. For each chapter, I’ve also noted some optional readings for context, so I’d suggest checking those out rather than reading ahead in the book. And remember, if you ever find yourself struggling with any of the readings or concepts, reach out! Either directly to me over email or to the entire group over discord.

💾☀️ Permacomputing + Solarpunk Meetup
2026-09-09 18:30 - 20:00 | Iffy Books, 404 S. 20th St., Philadelphia, 19146, United States
The Permacomputing + Solarpunk meetup is the first Wednesday every other month at Iffy Books! You can join us in person (404 S. 20th St., PHL) or remotely via Jitsi Meet.

➡️ Virtual meetup link
From Permacomputing.net: Permacomputing is a more sustainable approach to computer and network technology inspired by permaculture. Permacomputing is both a concept and a community of practice oriented around issues of resilience and regenerativity in digital technology. In a time where computing epitomizes industrial waste, permacomputing encourages a more sustainable approach, maximizing hardware lifespans, minimizing energy use and focussing on the use of already available computational resources. We do this because humans are part of nature and technology is an extension of humans, and we acknowledge that technology has been used to harm nature. We want to find out how we can practice good relations with the Earth by learning from ecological systems to leverage and re-center existing technologies and practices. We are also interested in investigating what a permacomputing way of life could be, and what sort of transformative computational culture and aesthetics it could bring forward. If you want to know more, please start reading about what is permacomputing in essence, and then dive into its principles.
Permacomputing Aesthetics: Potential and Limits of Design Constraints in Computational Culture by Mansoux, Howell, Barok, and Heikkilä (2023)

✏️ The Writing Room
2026-09-08 17:00 - 19:30, 2026-09-01 17:00 - 19:30, 2026-08-25 17:00 - 19:30, 2026-08-18 17:00 - 19:30 | Iffy Books, 404 S. 20th St., Philadelphia, 19146, United States
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.

☕️ Coffee Talk
2026-09-07 18:00 - 20:00 | Iffy Books, 404 S. 20th St., Philadelphia, 19146, United States
A social hangout every first and third Monday for trans and non-binary people, their significant others, and allies. We have snacks and coffee.

🏠 IndieWeb Homebrew Website Club
2026-09-06 18:00 - 20:00 | Iffy Books, 404 S. 20th St., Philadelphia, 19146, United States
Homebrew Website Club is a growing world-wide network of meetups for everyone who wants to take back their web experience from social media silos, and own their online identities & content, or just want support with blogging!

📡 Meshtastic 101
2026-09-05 10:30 - 12:00 | Iffy Books, 404 S. 20th St., Philadelphia, 19146, United States
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:
coming soon!

💻 Philly 2600 Meetup
2026-09-04 18:00 - 20:00 | Iffy Books, 404 S. 20th St., Philadelphia, 19146, United States
> The Philly 2600 meeting is a monthly gathering of local hackers, phreaks, nerds, geeks, activists, tinkerers, developers, infosec professionals, and other interesting people.

🔋 Beginner Soldering: Li-Ion Battery Pack
2026-09-03 14:30 - 15:30, 2026-08-27 14:30 - 15:30 | Iffy Books, 404 S. 20th St., Philadelphia, 19146, United States
Make a rechargeable battery pack for your LoRa node, a microcontroller such as an ESP32 or Pi Pico, or anything that runs on 3–4 Volts. Perfect for folks who’ve never soldered before!
To complete this project you’ll need to buy a li-ion battery pack kit for $3.99. Here’s what it includes:
• 18650 battery clip w/ attached wires
• TP4056 charge controller board
• PH2.5 plug w/ attached wires
• 1/8″ heat shrink tubing (1.5″ long)
• 1/2″ heat shrink tubing (1″ long)
You’ll also need a lithium-ion 18650 battery, available separately.
Register
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Name/pseudonym:Email address:EmailConfirm EmailPurchase a kit:Li-Ion Battery Pack Kit - $4.31Flat top 18650 battery (5000 mAh ) - $6.47(prices include sales tax)Instructor donation:$0 / donate later$5$10$15$20$25$30(recommended $5–$15, notaflof)Credit card info: *CardName on CardComments or questions?Submit

📼 Analog A/V Session
2026-09-02 10:30 - 12:30 | Iffy Books, 404 S. 20th St., Philadelphia, 19146, United States
Come experiment with VHS tapes and audio cassettes! We’ll have equipment on hand for analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog transfers.
Register:
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Name/pseudonym:Email address:EmailConfirm EmailInstructor donation:$0 / donate later$5$10$15$20$25$30(recommended $5–$15, notaflof)Credit card info: *CardName on CardComments or questions?Submit

💻 Cyberdeck Meetup
2026-08-29 10:30 - 12:30 | Iffy Books, 404 S. 20th St., Philadelphia, 19146, United States
A cyberdeck is a DIY laptop based on a single-board computer (SBC) such as Raspberry Pi, with a tiny LCD screen and keyboard enclosed in a folding case.
Bring an SBC to this meetup and start building your own! We’ll have LCD screens and keybaords for sale, as well as wooden boxes in various sizes. If you’ve already built a cyberdeck, you can show it off and help others get started!

Photo credit

📍 Offline GPS Unit Workshop
2026-08-28 14:00 - 16:00 | Iffy Books, 404 S. 20th St., Philadelphia, 19146, United States
In this workshop you’ll build a device that displays your GPS coordinates and the current time, without connecting to the internet or transmitting anything. 100% passive and off-grid, no internet or cell connection needed!
We’ll use the MicroPython programming language and the Thonny IDE, following the instructions on this page.
You’ll need to purchase a kit to complete this project, which includes the following parts:

RP2040 Pi Pico microcontroller unit w/ pre-soldered header pins
830 tie point solderless breadboard
NEO-6 GPS unit w/ antenna
0.96″ OLED display
Single-core 22AWG jumper wire (30″)
rubber band (to attach GPS antenna to breadboard)

Register:
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Name/pseudonym:Email address:EmailConfirm EmailBuy a kit:Offline GPS Unit Kit - $27.00(price includes tax)Instructor donation:$0 / donate later$5$10$15$20$25(suggested $5–$15)Credit card info: *CardName on CardComments or questions?Submit

🩹 Bleeding Control Basics
2026-08-27 18:00 - 19:30 | Iffy Books, 404 S. 20th St., Philadelphia, 19146, United States
Face masks required!
Presented by Untitled Medical Collective in association with Philly SRA, Bleeding Control Basics will go over first aid as it applies to severe bleeding. We will cover scene safety, injury assessment, basic bleeding control, and tourniquet application. This class doesn’t provide any kind of certification, and is just meant to provide essential information to as many people as possible.
Register:
coming soon!

🪐 Speculative Futures Reading Group: 'Future Home of the Living God' by Louise Erderich
2026-08-26 19:00 - 20:30 | Iffy Books, 404 S. 20th St., Philadelphia, 19146, United States
The Speculative Futures Reading Group meets on the last Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m.

🏴 Anarchy Summer Reading Group: 'The Utopia of Rules' by David Graeber (2nd half)
2026-08-23 18:00 - 20:00 | Iffy Books, 404 S. 20th St., Philadelphia, 19146, United States
We’re meeting every two weeks to discuss classics of anarchist literature, starting with Anarchism and Other Essays by Emma Goldman and The Conquest of Bread by Peter Kropotkin.
Stay tuned for more details!

📼 Analog A/V Session
2026-08-23 16:00 - 18:00 | Iffy Books, 404 S. 20th St., Philadelphia, 19146, United States
Come experiment with VHS tapes and audio cassettes! We’ll have equipment on hand for analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog transfers.
Register:

☀ Milestone Mashup at Highmark Mann Center
2026-08-22 11:00 - 16:00 | Highmark Mann Center, 5201 Parkside Ave, Philadelphia, PA, 19131, United States
We’ll be tabling from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.! Stop by and build a solar-powered synthesizer, or learn to DJ with the open source program Mixxx. We’ll have books for sale too, and zines by donation!
Taking place on Saturday, August 22, Highmark Mann’s Milestone Mashup is a free, campus-wide community event celebrating pivotal moments in our nation’s history that happened right here in Philadelphia. Designed as a journey through time, the event will bring these eras to life through a full day of engaging, family-friendly programming and activities.

📚 Philly Bookstore Crawl
2026-08-22 09:00 - 18:00 | Iffy Books, 404 S. 20th St., Philadelphia, 19146, United States
See y’all on Saturday, August 22nd from 9 a.m. ’til 6 p.m. for the Philly Bookstore Crawl! Here’s what we have planned:
• Free Mixxx DJ sticker sheet for the first 200 people who stop in (no purchase required)
• 2-color Iffy Books tote bags are back in stock for $12
• Stay tuned for more announcements this week!

🤔 FAFIO Beginner Tech Meetup
2026-08-20 18:30 - 20:30 | Iffy Books, 404 S. 20th St., Philadelphia, 19146, United States
FAFIO is a meetup for folks who want to learn new tech skills, but aren’t sure where to start. Let’s fuck around and figure it out. FAFIO means there is no instructor. Instead we learn by talking and sharing knowledge, reading info in zines and online, and hands-on trial and error.

🔋 Beginner Soldering: Li-Ion Battery Pack
2026-08-20 14:30 - 15:30 | Iffy Books, 404 S. 20th St., Philadelphia, 19146, United States
Make a rechargeable battery pack for your LoRa node, a microcontroller such as an ESP32 or Pi Pico, or anything that runs on 3–4 Volts. Perfect for folks who’ve never soldered before!
To complete this project you’ll need to buy a li-ion battery pack kit for $3.99. Here’s what it includes:
• 18650 battery clip w/ attached wires
• TP4056 charge controller board
• PH2.5 plug w/ attached wires
• 1/8″ heat shrink tubing (1.5″ long)
• 1/2″ heat shrink tubing (1″ long)
You’ll also need a lithium-ion 18650 battery, available separately.
Register
Registration for this event is now closed. We’ll offer it again soon!

🐌 Slow Living Support Group
2026-08-19 18:00 - 20:00 | Iffy Books, 404 S. 20th St., Philadelphia, 19146, United States
For people who value connection, sustainability, and creativity — without AI.
Bring:
• writing projects
• craft projects
• books & book recommendations
• CDs
Do not bring:
• screens
Provided:
• zine-making supplies
• snacks

📼 Analog A/V Session
2026-08-19 10:30 - 12:30 | Iffy Books, 404 S. 20th St., Philadelphia, 19146, United States
Come experiment with VHS tapes and audio cassettes! We’ll have equipment on hand for analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog transfers.
Register:
Registration for this event is now closed. Sorry.
Here's a link to future workshops in this series!
