Opening September 22 and running through January 31, 2023 (extended from original closing date of December 31, 2022) at Parkway Central Library and South Philadelphia Library, Chronicling Resistance: The Exhibition and its companion programs reveal what eight local activists, cultural organizers, and artists unearthed when… continue reading Chronicling Resistance: The Exhibition
By written by Administrator September 1, 2022 4
The Free Library Board of Trustees will be holding its annual meeting of FY22 on Thursday, June 16, 2022 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. View the upcoming meeting agenda The meeting will be held in-person at Parkway Central Library (1901 Vine Street) in the rooms 405/406/407 on the 4th floor. The Vine Street entrance will be open until… continue reading Free Library Board of Trustees Public Meeting on Thursday, June 16 at 4:00 p.m.
By written by Administrator June 10, 2022
Written by Edward P. On May 26, 1897, visitors to bookshops in London found a new book, for just six shillings, published by Constable and Co., bound in a lurid yellow cloth cover with blood red letters announcing its strange title, Dracula . For six shillings, readers discovered a story told in letters and diary entries, about an… continue reading Dracula at 125
By written by Administrator May 26, 2022
Residents can get out of the heat and into an air-conditioned space at a neighborhood library with access to books, computers, wireless internet, and other library amenities. Masks are strongly encouraged. The following neighborhood library locations will serve as cooling centers on both Saturday and Sunday: Lucien E. Blackwell… continue reading Cooling Centers Open at Select Libraries This Weekend: Saturday, May 21 and Sunday, May 22
By written by Administrator May 20, 2022
Written by Isabel S. April 23 marks the day that we traditionally celebrate William Shakespeare’s birth and deathday, though neither of those occasions are confirmed to have actually been on the 23rd. Shakespeare was baptized on April 26, 1564, so historians estimate his actual birth was a few days before that. The same holds true for his… continue reading Rosemary for Shakespeare
By written by Administrator April 25, 2022
by Spencer Duncan, Digital Equity Vista at the Office of Innovation and Technology Helping Philadelphians get access to devices is a key goal in Philadelphia’s Digital Equity Plan . Experts say that “insufficient access to large-screen devices—desktops, laptops, or tablets—can have negative consequences for people of all… continue reading Find free or low-cost laptops and computers
By written by Administrator April 7, 2022 3
The Free Library Board of Trustees will be holding a meeting on Friday, March 18, 2022 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. View the upcoming meeting agenda To access the meeting: Join via Zoom with the following link: https://tinyurl.com/flptrustees31822 Passcode: 083499 or Join via telephone: 1-929-436-2866 Webinar ID: 849 1576 5700 Passcode:… continue reading Free Library Board of Trustees Public Meeting on Friday, March 18 at 8:00 a.m.
By written by Administrator March 12, 2022 1
by Nathalie Marquez, Language and Learning Center Intern The Languages and Learning Center has launched the Leamos! ( Let’s Read! ) literacy program, with both virtual and in-person classes , to teach Spanish-speaking adults how to read and write in Spanish. The program is completely free and consists of 43 self-paced instructional… continue reading Leamos! (Let’s Read!) Literacy Program
By written by Administrator February 11, 2022 1
by Germaine Ingram On Sunday, February 13, at 6:00 p.m., live on YouTube , I’ll be in conversation with the tap/jazz aficionado and irrepressible raconteur Hank Smith on his every-so-often show Hangin’ with Hank . We’ll kick back and chat about the research I’ve been doing, for the past three decades, on Louise Madison… continue reading Hangin’ with Hank: Imagining Louise
By written by Administrator February 8, 2022
Today, the Free Library welcomes Mr. Kelly Richards as its new Director . Prior to this appointment, Kelly served as the Muskegon Area District Library Director in Michigan and Michigan Library Association President. He brings with him almost three decades of library experience. He began his career in library services in the Las Vegas Clark… continue reading Q&A with New Free Library Director, Kelly Richards
By written by Administrator January 14, 2022 15
The Free Library and the Philadelphia Poet Laureate Governing Committee are excited to announce that Airea D. Matthews has been appointed the 2022-2023 Philadelphia Poet Laureate . The committee of poets, educators, and arts-organization professionals selected Airea from a deeply talented group of applicants. Her two-year term began on January… continue reading Philly, Meet Your New Poet Laureate
By written by Administrator January 4, 2022 4
Which were the best books you read this year? The Children’s Librarians at Parkway Central Children’s Department have all the extremely specific book awards and recommended reads you never knew you needed! Ms. Becky’s Awards Becky Shaknovich – Department Head of Children's Department and Field Teen… continue reading Best Books of 2021 Selected by Parkway Central Children's Librarians
By written by Administrator December 21, 2021
The Free Library Board of Trustees will hold a meeting on Friday, December 17, 2021, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. View the upcoming meeting agenda » The meeting will take place through the online meeting platform Zoom, due to continued COVID-19 precautions. To access the meeting: Join via Zoom with the following link:… continue reading Free Library Board of Trustees Public Meeting on Friday, December 17 at 8:00 a.m.
By written by Administrator December 10, 2021
by Autumn M. and Alexis A. You might think of the Parkway Central Library as a great place to check out your favorite books and movies, but there’s so much more we have to offer and a lot of beautiful sights in the actual building to see! Maybe you already know that if you can’t make it down to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, you can… continue reading Take a Video Tour Through Parkway Central Library!
By written by Administrator November 19, 2021 6
Marian Sosa spent the summer volunteering for the Free Library, with Youth Services , the Summer of Wonder , and on Philadelphia's Play Streets . Here is what she had to say about her experience... Summer in the streets of Philadelphia, like the summer in many cities all across the nation, oftentimes means that there’s going to be a… continue reading A Summer of Service: What I Learned on Philly's Play Streets
By written by Administrator November 17, 2021
The Free Library of Philadelphia is excited to announce that Mr. Kelly Richards, Director of the Muskegon Area District Library in Michigan and President of the Michigan Library Association, has been named as its new President and Director! "The search process for a new President and Director for the Free Library was expansive, inclusive,… continue reading Kelly Richards Named New Free Library Director
By written by Administrator November 16, 2021 14
Written by Lewis Shaw, who conducted extensive research in the Art Department as part of a Friends Select School Senior Internship Project. The following is a continuation of a previous blog post on the topics of Surrealism and Gender. Leonora Carrington grew up in the UK as the daughter of a rich couple whose wealth was built on the textile… continue reading A Continued Discussion on the Topics of Surrealism and Gender
By written by Administrator November 10, 2021
November is almost upon us, and it already has us thinking about Thanksgiving and the spirit of giving as the holiday season approaches! Here at the Free Library, we're thankful for you . No matter how you use and support the Library, you make a difference in our community all year long, and we are so appreciative. In the spirit… continue reading Give Thanks with the Free Library this November!
By written by Administrator October 27, 2021
We were very saddened to hear about Jerry Pinkney’s sudden passing yesterday at the age of 81. He was a Philadelphian by birth and spoke at the Free Library numerous times to share his beautiful books and art. So much so that on July 19, 2016, Mayor Jim Kenney declared it to be Jerry Pinkney Day ! As a storyteller… continue reading Remembering Jerry Pinkney
By written by Administrator October 21, 2021 3
Written by Lewis Shaw, who conducted extensive research in the Art Department as part of a Friends Select School Senior Internship Project. During the extended fever dream which we all refer to as COVID quarantine, I picked up a love of artist biographies—I’d be reading one at any given moment in between high school Zoom classes and… continue reading Surrealism and Gender
By written by Administrator October 6, 2021 1
