By Mary W. Juneteenth is a celebration of emancipation from slavery in Texas on June 19, 1865. This year marks the 150 th anniversary. Some non-fiction children’s books that explain this holiday include Juneteenth by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson and Drew Nelson. This book, which reads like a selection of poems, introduces slavery and the… continue reading Celebrating Juneteenth!
By written by Michelle S. June 19, 2015 2
Post written by Mary W. Most of us have read, or at least heard of, Heather Has Two Mommies by Lesléa Newman and Laura Cornell, which was recently reissued this year. In addition to this book, there many others that deal with the concept of same-sex parents (please see below for a short list). In the media most recently we’ve… continue reading Helpful Books about Gender Identity for Children
By written by Michelle S. June 12, 2015
By Lisa C. In honor of Philly Tech week last month, Northeast Regional Library hosted their first ever TechXpo where attendees could get a first-hand look at some of the latest technology in action including 3D printing and iPad-created stop-motion animation. Both NRI 3DLab and the Chocolate Press were on hand to demonstrate how 3D print… continue reading TechXpo at Northeast Regional Library
By written by Michelle S. May 29, 2015
Today is National Library Workers Day, and we at the Free Library of Philadelphia are incredibly grateful to our hard working and thoughtful staff who advance literacy, guide learning, and inspire curiosity each and every day in libraries throughout our great city. Each year, our staff members answer more than 3 million questions, host more… continue reading Celebrating National Library Workers Day
By written by Michelle S. April 14, 2015
April is National Volunteer Month, and the Free Library of Philadelphia is especially grateful to the thousands of volunteers who have donated their time to help make our library system shine. Over the past year, more than 2,000 volunteers have donated more than 100,000 hours of their time at all 77 departments and neighborhood libraries… continue reading Thank you to our volunteers!
By written by Michelle S. April 1, 2015 1
The Free Library of Philadelphia is proud to present Framing Fraktur , a three-month celebration of historic Pennsylvania German folk art and its relationship to contemporary art, opening today and running through June 14, 2015! In addition to bringing fraktur to life with a wide range of public programming , the Free Library is mounting two… continue reading Announcing Framing Fraktur!
By written by Michelle S. March 2, 2015
This winter break, the Free Library of Philadelphia encourages you to spend some quality time with your children reading some great books together! Shared reading time is great way for your child to build his or her literacy skills—and it’s also a great way to go on countless adventures right from the cozy comfort of your living… continue reading Read with your children this winter break!
By written by Michelle S. December 18, 2014 2
Want to learn how to download some of nearly 120,000 ebooks to your new Kindle or Nook? Looking to discover all the hidden features of your new iPad, e-reader, smart phone, or tablet? Can’t figure out how to turn the darn thing on? Don’t fret: The Free Library of Philadelphia’s gadget gurus can help you make the most of your… continue reading How Does This Thing Work? Free Library to Offer Extended E-Gadget Helpdesk Holiday Hours
By written by Michelle S. December 11, 2014
Over the past year, the Free Library—along with The Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre and many other partners throughout the city—has been celebrating the Year of the Bard: Shakespeare at 450 , with fun programs, unique performances, and engaging exhibitions. (Have you stopped by to see our latest, Born of the Bard: Works Inspired by… continue reading Celebrate the Grand Finale of the Year of the Bard: Shakespeare at 450
By written by Michelle S. November 20, 2014
On Thursday, October 16, the Free Library of Philadelphia celebrated the 25th anniversary of LEAP, our Literacy Enrichment Afterschool Program. Started in 1989, LEAP has evolved over the years into an enriching out-of-school-time program. Every day, our neighborhood libraries transform into vibrant learning centers where children and teens… continue reading Celebrating 25 Years of LEAP, the Literacy Enrichment Afterschool Program
By written by Michelle S. October 28, 2014 1
We're excited to announce that the 2015 One Book, One Philadelphia featured selection for is Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline . Orphan Train is the compelling story of Vivian, a 91-year-old widow once orphaned as a child, and Molly, a troubled teen who has been shuffled from one unstable foster home to another. The two women develop a… continue reading Announcing the 2015 One Book, One Philadelphia Featured Selection!
By written by Michelle S. October 16, 2014
The Free Library of Philadelphia is excited to celebrate iconic children’s book author and illustrator Lloyd Alexander, in conjunction with the 50 th anniversary of the publication of The Book of Three , the inaugural volume in Alexander’s renowned Chronicles of Prydain series. The Free Library’s Children’s Literature… continue reading Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Lloyd Alexander's Chronicles of Prydain
By written by Michelle S. September 30, 2014
On June 16, James Joyce fans around the world celebrate Bloomsday, which is so named after Leopold Bloom, the main character in Joyce's epic, genre-smashing novel, Ulysses . And we're getting in the fun, too! All day today, the Free Library and the Rosenbach are hosting public readings of Ulysses-- from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Parkway… continue reading Celebrating Bloomsday!
By written by Michelle S. June 16, 2014 1
This June marks the 100 th anniversary of the publication of James Joyce’s Dubliners , a captivating collection of short stories that paint a picture of Irish middle-class life in the early 20 th century. With the Bloomsday Festival in full swing throughout the city, Joyce has been on our minds quite a lot, and we got to wondering what it… continue reading Philadelphians: Celebrating 100 Years of James Joyce's Dubliners
By written by Michelle S. June 16, 2014 1
The Free Library of Philadelphia launched its new Culinary Literacy Center and state-of-the-art demonstration kitchen, sponsored by Cancer Treatment Centers of America , this morning at the Parkway Central Library with the help of two of Philadelphia’s most acclaimed chefs: Jose Garces and Marc Vetri. As part of the Culinary Literacy… continue reading Come See What's Cooking: Announcing Our New Culinary Literacy Center!
By written by Michelle S. June 2, 2014 8
Perhaps one of the Free Library's most popular and beloved public programs, the Author Events Series fosters great conversations with thoughtful readers and the world's leading writers and thinkers. In this edition of " Check Us Out ," take a minute to get to know Andy Kahan, the Ruth and A. Morris Williams Director of this… continue reading Check Us Out: Meet Andy
By written by Michelle S. May 22, 2014 1
The Philadelphia Parent & Guardian Impact Survey will be available starting today through June 13, 2014! The survey provides parents and guardians of students in Philadelphia public and charter schools a way to let schools know what they think about the quality of education in Philadelphia. The new survey… continue reading Be heard. Take the Philadelphia Parent & Guardian Impact Survey Now!
By written by Michelle S. May 5, 2014 1
With William Shakespeare’s 450 th birthday just around the corner on Wednesday, April 23 , the Free Library is set to is set to celebrate Shakespeare's big day with programs throughout the city, and we hope you'll join us! From a big birthday bash at Parkway Central Library to children's programs and engaging lectures,… continue reading Celebrate Shakespeare's 450th Birthday with Us!
By written by Michelle S. April 21, 2014
The Free Library of Philadelphia is excited to announce an innovative new service aimed at improving the lives of all Philadelphians, one purr at a time. Debuting today, the Free Library ‘Cat’alog will provide customers with the opportunity to check out a furry feline companion alongside the latest bestseller or historical tome.… continue reading Announcing Our Innovative New ‘Cat’alog Lending Service
By written by Michelle S. April 1, 2014 17
Every day, the Free Library works to provide teens with opportunities to master new technology and make their voices heard at our Hot Spots and through initiatives at libraries throughout the city . We now have the fantastic opportunity to expand this programming with our Library Bullhorn project. Through mentoring teens in blogging, web… continue reading Vote for Our Library Bullhorn Project
By written by Michelle S. March 19, 2014 1
