Hypnosis, using its power to heal or influence others, has captured our public imagination long ago. It is a popular and often misunderstood technique that has been used for a variety of things,… continue reading Hypnosis & Your Health

By written by Joe S.    September 21, 2018   

• Events at the Library
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In a world of "fake news" and "alternate truths", the importance of critical thinking is more important than ever. Educators and librarians have replaced old-school teaching… continue reading Back to School, but Not Old School: Information and Primary Source Literacy

By written by Joe S.    September 12, 2018   

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Philadelphians and people worldwide will eventually be able to view and download entire Islamic manuscripts, consisting of both images and texts, from the Free Library of Philadelphia’s… continue reading Updates From the Manuscripts of the Muslim World Project

By written by Joe S.    September 5, 2018   

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Much has been written in academic journals about the need to increase access to special collections in public libraries, museums, and universities. This topic is particularly relevant to the … continue reading Traveling Treasures: A Special Collection Worth Touching

By written by Joe S.    May 5, 2017   

• Digital Collections
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Purim is celebrated every year on the 14th of the Hebrew month of Adar. It is a day of feasting and rejoicing, commemorating the deliverance of the Jewish people from a plot to annihilate… continue reading Purim and a Medieval Cutting in the Free Library of Philadelphia

By written by Joe S.    March 4, 2015   

• Rare Book Department

The doorbell rings. I walk through the hallway to answer it. Although I’ve done this walk repeatedly over the years, this time something is different. This one book catches the corner of my… continue reading A Book Rediscovered

By written by Joe S.    October 3, 2013    2

• Rare Book Department

Court cases can sum up the events and movements swirling through a given period of history. They can distill important issues, as well as demonstrate the origins of legal rights we take for… continue reading Controversy in the Courts: Regicide, Rebels, and Regal Indiscretion

By written by Joe S.    April 7, 2010    1

• Exhibitions
• Rare Book Department

  The Rare Book Department of the Free Library of Philadelphia presents The Spirit of Satire in the Rare Book Department  an exhibition that explores the various dimensions of the… continue reading The Spirit of Satire in the Rare Book Department

By written by Joe S.    December 23, 2009    6

• Exhibitions
• Rare Book Department