Pull up a chair. There is always something to read.
Welcome to The Dollybird Library, Urban Lemonade’s reading room and home for The Lemonade Stand newspaper. Inspired by Philadelphia’s public libraries and Dolly Parton’s love of putting books into children’s hands, this is a place for stories, curiosity, and a little time to linger.
Mrs. S’s book-club shelf
On reserve for Whatcha Reading?
Mrs. S has set aside a little corner of Dollybird for the book club: three September titles, a sheaf of reading notes, and room for your questions.
September · A Tribute to Wendell Berry
An introduction to Port William and the Membership. Berry’s fictional Kentucky community connects people through land, work, family, memory, and care for one another. Read one of these books, or just begin. Bring what you notice.
Fidelity: Five Stories
Five stories offer shorter visits to Port William and its interconnected families. Start here if you would like to take the reading one story at a time.
Mrs. S’s question: When does loyalty ask someone to do something difficult?
Jayber Crow
Port William’s barber watches the town and its people across a lifetime. A longer stay with questions of belonging, love, and the place we call home.
Mrs. S’s question: What can a person learn by staying, listening, and paying attention?
The Memory of Old Jack
One September day opens into an older man’s memories of his life, work, and relationships.
Mrs. S’s question: Which people continue to shape us long after a particular moment has passed?
A few things to bring to the table
Who did you meet? What did you notice? What does membership ask of us? What would Port William recognize in Urban Lemonade?
Visit The Berry Center to explore the work beyond the books. The linked titles above lead to publisher information.
Find a reading copy: This is Dollybird’s virtual reserve shelf. Visit the Free Library of Philadelphia to search the titles and check borrowing availability or place your own hold.
Previously on the table: August — Lammas Night. September’s planned Mabon’s Hollow is postponed. Change of plans. This month we’re going to Port William.
Mrs S’s Office
The coffee is warm and the notebook is open. Step into Mrs S’s office—or catch her heading out with Greta, her Saint Bernard, in the sidecar.
The Lemonade Stand
The Lemonade Stand gathers each edition here in the library.
The Michaelmas edition is in progress. It will join the library when it is ready.
Dolly’s gift of books, here in Philly
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library helps young children build libraries of their own. In West Philadelphia, the West Philadelphia Alliance for Children (WePAC) serves as a local affiliate, bringing free, age-appropriate books by mail each month to enrolled children from birth until their fifth birthday in participating ZIP codes.
Philadelphia families can learn more about eligibility through the local program.
This reading room is Urban Lemonade’s independent tribute to Dolly’s literacy work.
Links
The Lemonade Stand · Philadelphia program · Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Urban Lemonade 