For Release: Immediately
Department of External Affairs
Free Library of Philadelphia
1901 Vine Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103-1189
(215) 567-7710
FAX (215) 567-7850
Contact: Communications and Development
For Release: Immediately
Contact: Communications and Development

FREE LIBRARY TO HOST SPECIAL SCIENCE PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT APRIL

In partnership with the Philadelphia Science Festival, the Free Library invites children to meet science experts and explore a variety of hands-on science topics

PHILADELPHIA, April 14, 2014—The Free Library of Philadelphia is excited to host several science-based children’s programs in 17 of its neighborhood libraries—as well as a special “Science Tellers” program at the Parkway Central Library— in conjunction with the Philadelphia Science Festival during the month of April.

On Sunday, April 27 at the Parkway Central Library, the Picarillo ScienceTellers will present their interactive “Science Tellers” program that invites children and their families to discover science in their everyday lives. After the performance, audience members are invited to participate in more hands-on science activities presented by LEAP into Science, a program developed in partnership with The Franklin Institute. “Science Tellers” is part of the Sundays on Stage series of programs generously supported by the Philadelphia City Institute Board of Managers.

Science Festival programming for children at several of the Free Library’s neighborhood locations will explore a variety of fun topics through the special Neighborhood Science Afterschool program. Scientists, engineers, and other experts will share their knowledge at fun and free programs, including interactive activities, family-friendly experiments, and hands-on demonstrations for all to enjoy!  Libraries hosting Neighborhood Science Afterschool include Andorra Library, Bushrod Library, Cecil B. Moore Library, Charles Durham Library, Charles Santore Library, Eastwick Library, Falls of Schuylkill Library, Fox Chase Library, Fumo Family Library, Haddington Library, Haverford Library, Katharine Drexel Library, Logan Library, Ramonita de Rodriguez Library, Ricmond Library, Wadsworth Library, and Wyoming Library.

“As the Free Library of Exploration, we encourage all of our young customers to learn as much as they can about the world around them,” said Siobhan A. Reardon, President and Director. “We are excited to be a partner of the Philadelphia Science Festival and host a plethora of programs for budding young scientists throughout the city!”

In addition to these special Science Festival programs, the Free Library’s Techmobile—a Hot Spot on wheels featuring computers, broadband, and one-on-one training—will appear at the Philadelphia Science Festival’s Science Carnival on the Parkway on Saturday, May 3 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.!

Visit the Free Library’s online calendar of events at freelibrary.org for a complete listing of all program details.

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The 54-location Free Library of Philadelphia system advances literacy, guides learning, and inspires curiosity with millions of digital and physical materials; 25,000 yearly programs and workshops; free public computers and extensive Wi-Fi; and rich special collections, including  those at Parkway Central Library and at The Rosenbach of the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation. The combined holdings of these renowned collections—which include hundreds of thousands of rare books, manuscripts, and ephemera—inspire unique exhibitions and programs throughout the year. With more than 6 million in-person and 9 million online visits annually, the Free Library and The Rosenbach are among the most widely used educational and cultural institutions in Philadelphia and boast a worldwide impact.