It's almost officially summer here in Philadelphia, as the sun finally breaks through all the recent rain clouds and schools will be letting out early next week. No matter what your plans are this summer, the Free Library is here to keep you cool, connected, and book-bound!
Our summer hours begin on Monday, June 11. Many of our libraries will operate on a Monday through Friday schedule. Joseph E. Coleman Northwest Regional Library, Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library, and Parkway Central Library will continue with Saturday and Sunday service hours. In addition, South Philadelphia Library will now also be open on Sundays. For more information on openings, closings, and hours, please visit our Library Locations page.
And here's just some of the of cool activities and amenities for children, teens, and adults to enjoy at a neighborhood library this summer...
Our Summer of Wonder summer reading program kicks off next week at your local neighborhood library on Monday, June 11! Earn badges by tracking minutes read and completing fun Discovery Path activities themed around STEAM, literacy, and exploration. Can't wait until Monday? You can sign up online right now!
Looking for something different than the same old summer blockbusters? Check out afamily-friendly film screening at your local library!
Kids can learn a fresh approach to cooking, collaboration, and cost by making pasta, pizza, and other yumtastic dishes from scratch during our Summer Thyme Cooks series at the Culinary Literacy Center. Space is limited and the deadline to apply is June 19, so sign up today (Kids entering grades 5-7 and Teens entering grades 8-12)!
There are still limited spots available for our Science in the Summer series of free and fun science workshops for children in grades 2–6. This summer’s theme is the Science of Space!
Keep kids hands busy and minds artsy with cool creative crafts!
Get your game on with any number of video game, board game, or tabletop gaming events!
Check out a Sundays on Stage perfromance with the whole family! This series of cultural programs and live performances celebrates diversity through music, dance, and storytelling!
Visit a furry friend and read them a story at one of our PAWS for Reading events, where children 6 - 12 can open up and feel comfortable about reading aloud to lovable therapy dogs!
Toddlers to tweens can design and build imaginative structures using LEGO, Mega Bloks, and Magna Tiles. Let your imagination be your blueprint!
Yoga for kids helps build flexibility and teach mindfulness in a relaxed and quiet setting—the library!
There are also plenty of activities for teens encompassing everything from book clubs and cooking classes to gaming and college and job readiness workshops!
Can't make it into one of our libraries? Be on the lookout for our Book Bike and one of our pop-up libraries in your neighborhood!
These are just a sampling of the activities and events the Free Library has to offer this summer!
Browse our catalog for the newest titles, stream and download digital media to your favorite device, check out our calendar for exciting events, and stop in at your local neighborhood library today!
Happy (almost) Summer!
Have a question for Free Library staff? Please submit it to our Ask a Librarian page and receive a response within two business days.