Posts by Caitlin G. (34)

Blog Articles

Before I was a Rare Book Librarian, I worked as a Stitcher (let's not say "sewer"), and have recently pulled out my sewing machine to make face masks for donation. As of April… continue reading Making Face Masks for Fun (and Not Profit)

By written by Caitlin G.    April 17, 2020    6

Ferdinand never wanted to be a fighting bull, so he's right at home here in the Free Library...  John Cena stars as the big-hearted bull in the animated adaptation opening in theaters… continue reading Ferdinand: The Bull Is In The House (or at least the library!)

By written by Caitlin G.    December 15, 2017   

Do you send out greeting cards around the holiday season? Families have been writing "Christmas Letters" for hundreds of years, but the commercially produced Christmas card is a little… continue reading Do You Need Some Holiday Card Inspiration?

By written by Caitlin G.    December 8, 2017   

We like to celebrate Beatrix Potter every day here in the Rare Book Department , but today is her 151st birthday, so it's extra-special. You probably remember Peter Rabbit and his… continue reading Birthday Bread and Milk and Blackberries for Beatrix Potter

By written by Caitlin G.    July 28, 2017    3

We all know Benjamin Franklin, Philadelphia's everyman. Poor Richard . Diplomat of the Revolution . Inventor of the Glass Harmonica . Postmaster General . Guy Who Flew A Kite in a… continue reading "Pay to Benjamin Franklin, for Printing"

By written by Caitlin G.    April 28, 2017   

The Rare Book Department 's Judaica includes a beautifully written and lavishly hand-decorated Spanish Hebrew Masoretic Text bible . Commissioned in 1496 in Lisbon, Portugal, the book is… continue reading Librarian Traces Family Roots Through Historic Bible

By written by Caitlin G.    February 24, 2017   

We're celebrating the 150th anniversary of beloved English children's book author and illustrator Beatrix Potter a little early up here in the Rare Book Department. The anniversary is… continue reading Happy Early Birthday Beatrix Potter!

By written by Caitlin G.    October 15, 2015   

Caitlin Goodman, one of the librarians in our Rare Book Department, writes a column for City Paper in which she gives a book recommendation based on reader submissions of two books they liked with… continue reading The Grumpy Librarian: Book Recommendations with Attitude

By written by Caitlin G.    July 3, 2015   

 The Free Library of Philadelphia’s Rare Book Department has on display an exhibition of original drawings and published works of Robert Lawson.  The Department has a large… continue reading Not Just for Children: the Art of Robert Lawson

By written by Caitlin G.    February 28, 2013    2

In a previous post, I wrote about researching the personal and professional life of Philadelphia writer, actor, and comedian, Ed Wynn (1886-1966). A versatile and adaptable performer with… continue reading “The Perfect Fool” Lives On Part II

By written by Caitlin G.    May 23, 2012   

This past year, I had the privilege of processing and creating a finding aid for the papers of Ed Wynn (1886-1966), an actor, writer, and comedian from Philadelphia, as part of an internship… continue reading “The Perfect Fool” Lives On Part I

By written by Caitlin G.    May 22, 2012    2

By Edward Pettit The Vincent Van Gogh exhibition, Van Gogh Up Close , now open at the Philadelphia Museum of Art has been receiving lots of attention . The exhibition focuses on Van Gogh’s… continue reading Empty Chairs

By written by Caitlin G.    April 23, 2012    2

As archivists at the Children’s Literature Research Collection, it’s not surprising that most of the materials we work with are children’s book materials: drafts of manuscripts,… continue reading Dolls and Matchbooks and Buttons, Oh My!

By written by Caitlin G.    April 17, 2012    1

by Edward Pettit Tonight our Dickens Literary Salon will be discussing the author’s final, incomplete mystery novel, The Mystery of Edwin Drood .  SPOILERS AHEAD When Edwin Drood goes… continue reading An Unsolved Mystery

By written by Caitlin G.    March 15, 2012    2

When Charles Dickens died suddenly of stroke in 1870 he had written half of a novel, The Mystery of Edwin Drood .  Dickens published all of his novels in serial format and wrote the chapters… continue reading Boz Bicentenary Speaker Series - Matthew Pearl

By written by Caitlin G.    March 2, 2012    1

With all the glitz and glamour that Hollywood is known for, it is easy to imagine that the Oscars have always looked like they do now with red carpets and galas and tear-soaked speeches. … continue reading Looking Back at the First Annual Academy Awards

By written by Caitlin G.    February 24, 2012   

Today marks the 200th birthday of Charles Dickens, and the Free Library joins the global celebration honoring the life and legacy of the world's first literary superstar. Philadelphia is… continue reading Happy 200th Birthday Charles Dickens!

By written by Caitlin G.    February 7, 2012    2

A vibrant and colorful exhibition at the Parkway Central Library highlights one of the most enduring legacies of Charles Dickens's genius: the unforgettable characters he brought to life.… continue reading Character Sketches from the World of Charles Dickens

By written by Caitlin G.    December 28, 2011    4