Published Oct. 27, 2025; updated Nov. 20, 2025

The Foundation of the Atlantic City Free Public Library celebrates Latin Music Culture

Atlantic City’s rich Latin music heritage is on display with the opening of a new long-term exhibition, “Latin Rhythms by the Sea”, on view at The Atlantic City Experience, located in the lobby of the iconic Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall. Boardwalk Hall is located at: 2301 Boardwalk in Atlantic City. The Atlantic City Experience - open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday - is presented by the Atlantic City Free Public Library.

(Pictured is Miguelito Valdés. Photo credit: The Wolfsonian-FIU)

The exhibition opened Nov. 19 with a special Latin pipe organ concert and reception. The Latin pipe organ concert was performed on Atlantic City’s famed Midmer-Losh organ, the largest pipe organ in the world. The organist was Luke Staisiunas, the winner of the American Theater Organ Society competition and secretary of the ATOS.

Atlantic City's "Golden Age" for entertainment occurred in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when it was a premier vacation resort known for its vibrant culture, diverse amusements, and iconic Boardwalk entertainment. At the same time Latin music, also referred to as Afro Caribbean rooted music, became popular in the United States, with genres such as rumba, mambo, chachachá and later salsa influencing the entertainment scene.

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION – “Latin Rhythms by the Sea” provides a glimpse of many of the Latin greats whose bands brought Atlantic City audiences up on to the dance floor. Musical pioneers represented include: Cuban born Miguelito Valdés, (the original Mr. Babalú), famed Spanish born bandleader Xavier Cugat, multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger bandleader, and proud son of Puerto Rican parents, “El Rey” Tito Puente, Puerto Rican vocalist and bandleader Tito Rodriguez, Cuban born pianist Jose Curbelo, Puerto Rican pianist Joe Loco, and others. The poly rhythms and stirring sounds of percussion ignited a passion for the music among non-Latino artists as well, including Atlantic City’s own, Pedro Albani and his Rio Rumba Band, confirming the incredible Latin influence and artistic contributions to our nation’s cultural landscape. During his distinguished career, Albani spent time on Tin Pan Alley and collaborated with such notable musicians as Xaviar Cugat, Joe Loco and Miguelito Valdés
.
With memorabilia drawn from the Atlantic City Free Library Heritage Collections, the Vicki Gold Levi private collection, and the Pedro Albani Family Music Collection the materials convey a vivid entertainment scene renowned for its nightlife. The featured venues, many no longer in existence, include Club Harlem, Round the World Room, President Hotel, Mayflower Hotel, Paradise Club, Torch Club, to name a few. The exhibition is designed by the New York based firm Pure and Applied.

ABOUT ATLANTIC CITY EXPERIENCE – Atlantic City Experience showcases the culturally diverse heritage and exciting history of Atlantic City through a series of topical exhibits and nostalgic timeline. The installations highlight many of the important events, places and people for which Atlantic City is known. It features iconic images, digital touch screens, artifacts, and an interactive timeline. Many of the items on display are part of the library’s extensive Atlantic City Heritage Collections. To learn more about The Atlantic City Experience, please click here.

ABOUT THE MIDMER-LOSH ORGAN - The largest pipe organ in the world, the Midmer-Losh organ, is located at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ. Also known as the Boardwalk Hall Auditorium Organ, it has over 33,000 pipes, 7 manuals, and is the loudest and largest musical instrument on Earth.

ABOUT THE FOUNDATION FOR THE ATLANTIC CITY FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY - The Foundation is a (501c3) non-profit organization formed for the purpose of advocating for and supporting the work of the Atlantic City Free Public Library. The Foundation raises funds for specific needs and/or projects such as providing books and other materials for the general and the Atlantic City Heritage Collections. For more info click here.

Published Oct. 7, 2025

This Heartsaver First Aid Training class will be held Wednesday, Oct. 29, from 12-4 p.m. in the Main Library Next STEP Lab. It is an in-person, video-based, instructor-led course that teaches students the skills needed to respond to and manage an emergency until emergency medical services arrives

This course uses American Heart Association’s practice-while-watching technique, which allows instructors to observe the students, provide feedback, and guide the students’ learning of skills. It will be a mix of watching course content on a projector/tv and then doing hands-on practice. Learners will have an opportunity to review the steps leading up to performing CPR, practice giving chest compressions, rescue breaths, and use of an AED followed by First Aid content.

Visit the Main Library Help Desk, call (609) 345-2269, ext. 3012, or fill out the online form (tinyurl.com/4243r85u) to register.

This class is part of the the library's BEST Program (Building Employment Skills Training).The library received grant funding from the New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development.

Sept. 19, 2025

Construction work will begin at the Main Library – located at 1 North Tennessee Ave. – the week of Sept. 22 as part of the Community Center Digital Connect Program (CCDC). The New Jersey State Library, an affiliate of Thomas Edison State University, awarded the Atlantic City Free Public Library and other organizations in the state grant funding through its CCDC Program, a community resilience project that addresses disparities in access to education, employment, and health services by investing in capital improvements at community facilities.

The Atlantic City Free Public Library’s project will include:
• Redesigning and renovating the Main Library’s second-floor meeting room, including the kitchen.
• Adding two private office pods equipped with computers to be used for telehealth, health monitoring, work activities and more.
• Modernizing the Main Library’s elevator to ensure continued compliance with ADA requirements.
• Expanding high-speed broadband access to public computers and training areas throughout the Main Library.

As part of the grant, the Atlantic City Library will partner with AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center – along with other community organizations – on a variety of health and wellness programs.

"I believe these renovations will further open up the Library, creating opportunities for exciting new programming for the public, such as culinary and technology-focused initiatives,” Library Director Jacqueline Silver-Morillo said. “I’m really excited to see how this project unfolds and the positive impact it will have."

Learn more about the Community Center Digital Connect program here.

This project is being supported, in whole or part, by federal award number CPFFNO185 awarded to the State of New Jersey by the U.S. Department of Treasury.



About the New Jersey State Library
The New Jersey State Library (NJSL), an affiliate of Thomas Edison State University (TESU), connects people with information and resources through its service to libraries, state government, TESU staff and students, and NJ residents, including those with special needs. NJSL provides support for public, school, academic, and special libraries, and continues to promote services for learners of all ages, including key areas of continuing need such as digital literacy, business outreach, workforce development, summer reading programs, and services for the visually and physically impaired, among others. For more information, visit www.njstatelib.org.

This September, the Atlantic City Free Public Library invites you to celebrate Library Card Sign-Up Month and discover how a single card can open the door to endless opportunities.

With a library card, you can do more than check out books. From free classes and job resources to homework help, streaming media, and cultural events, today’s libraries connect communities to information, inspiration, and each other.This year’s theme, “One Card, Endless Possibilities,” is a reminder that libraries are for everyone — no matter your age, background, or goals. Whether you're diving into a new hobby, searching for your next great read, brushing up on tech skills, or helping your child succeed in school, it all starts with a library card.

At the Atlantic City Free Public Library, you’ll find:

• Books, CDs, movies, newspapers and magazines, offered in a variety of languages at the library and through our digital collections, such as hoopla and Kanopy.
• Public computer access and free WiFi.
• Extensive information about the city’s rich history through our Atlantic City Heritage Collections, Atlantic City Experience exhibits at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall and Digital Repository.
• Programs and events for all ages — from story times, movies and crafts to computer, ESL and job training.

Getting a library card is free, easy, and empowering. For students, it’s a key to academic success. For adults, it’s a gateway to lifelong learning. For everyone, it’s a smart way to stay connected to your community. Stop by the Atlantic City Free Public Library or learn more here about signing up for your card. Because with an Atlantic City Free Public Library card, the possibilities are truly endless.

Atlantic City Free Public Library cards are free for residents of Atlantic City, Atlantic County, Ocean City or Avalon.