Browsing Date: February 2018 (24)

Blog Articles

At the beginning of Jacqueline Woodson’s recent event at the Community College of Philadelphia, she told the roomful of eager students: "Put down the phone and experience me." For… continue reading #OneBookWednesday: In the Author’s Words

By written by Julie B.    February 28, 2018   

Earlier this month in Denver, CO, a room full of children's and teen librarians erupted in cheers, gasps, and wild applause for the newest batch of books chosen to receive Youth Media Awards .… continue reading Here are the 2018 Youth Media Awards Winners!

By written by Peter SM    February 27, 2018   

Grab your hats and get ready to play, because we are celebrating Dr. Seuss Day ! Each year, schools, libraries, and other organizations prepare for this event, as millions of teachers and students… continue reading Read Across America with Dr. Seuss!

By written by Tuesday C.    February 26, 2018   

Thanks to a generous grant from the William Penn Foundation, the Free Library is embarking on a series of fun programs for babies , toddlers and their families called Read, Baby, Read , using new… continue reading Read, Baby, Read Helps Develop Language and Literacy at the Library

By written by Sarah S.    February 26, 2018    1

It may not have seemed remarkable. In 1895, at a college in Ohio, during a memorial service, students and faculty paid tribute to a man they held in high esteem. They recited the Lord’s… continue reading Wisdom, Bravery, Trueness: Frederick Douglass and W.E.B. Du Bois

By written by Kalela W.    February 23, 2018    2

When you first think about reading a book, it seems like a solitary affair. I picture myself curled up by a window, reading by natural light and entering a new little world—alone. Sometimes… continue reading #OneBookWednesday: A Shared Experience

By written by Lo I.    February 21, 2018   

I was so excited when I heard the announcement that Matthew Cordell had won the 2018 Caldecott Medal for Wolf in the Snow . While not a retelling of the fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood , the… continue reading Wolf in the Snow & Little Red Riding Hood

By written by Monica C.    February 20, 2018   

Today, February 16, we celebrate the Year of the Dog ! In the video below, Jenifer Chang, Chief of Central Public Services Division at Parkway Central Library , discusses the history and… continue reading Celebrate the Year of the Dog with the Free Library!

By written by Peter SM    February 16, 2018    1

On February 7, we opened a new exhibition celebrating the art and achievements of romantic couples, from the powerful royalty of the 16th century to cinema stars of Old Hollywood to local artists… continue reading Celebrating History's Unsung Creative Couples

By written by Sara D.    February 14, 2018   

How do we dream ourselves out of this? It’s 1968, 50 years ago. This is what August, a young girl freshly uprooted from her rural Tennessee home, now living in the Bushwick section of… continue reading #OneBookWednesday: Black History, Our Philadelphia

By written by Kalela W.    February 14, 2018   

Thank you for being our valentine all year round.  Because of the love you’ve shown us, we are able to… …run the largest no-cost afterschool program in the city, LEAP ,… continue reading We <3 You Too!

By written by Alexa L.    February 14, 2018   

For several weeks this past summer, a group of teens from South Philly High School visited  Fumo Family Library for summer programming. One day, a teen wondered aloud where she should… continue reading Teens Collaborate to Create Dedicated Space for Themselves at Fumo Family Library

By written by Abbe K.    February 13, 2018   

Happy February, everyone! Let’s celebrate Black History Month with our favorite African American authors and illustrators. The recently published books linked to in this month's… continue reading February 2018 Early Literacy Calendar

By written by Sarah S.    February 12, 2018   

So we’ve all seen the trailer for the Black Panther film right? And we are all super-duper excited for it, yes? I know I am beyond hype and come February 16th (ish), my popcorn and I will be… continue reading Black Panther: Hero. Legend. King.

By written by Rachel F.    February 12, 2018   

Philly Theatre Week , presented by Theatre Philadelphia, is a 10-day celeration of the artists, organizations, and audiences that have made Greater Philadelphia one of the most vibrant… continue reading Philly Theatre Week and a Look at Philadelphia Theatre History

By written by Karin S.    February 9, 2018   

Dear reader, Perhaps a dying art, or perhaps in fact an art that has now expanded in form, letter-writing creates a tangible connection between humans. Usually, letters are thought to be written… continue reading #OneBookWednesday: A Love Letter for You

By written by Lo I.    February 7, 2018   

As Head Designer of Horace Trumbauer’s architecture firm, Julian Abele designed the Free Library and the Philadelphia Art Museum and set the tone for the entire parkway. He designed… continue reading A History Minute: 11 Things You Didn't Know About Julian Abele, Architect of the Parkway

By written by Sally F.    February 7, 2018    9

We know all of Philly is still excited over the Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl win, but there is another monumental sporting event to also get fired up for that begins at the end of this week: the… continue reading Local Athletes Competing in the 2018 Winter Olympics

By written by Administrator    February 6, 2018    2

February is American Heart Month , so it’s a great time to learn about making heart-healthy choices every day and to use your neighborhood library to help improve your heart health. Heart… continue reading Heart Health at the Free Library

By written by Katie D.    February 5, 2018   

Back in September, the city of Philadelphia unveiled the first new statue at City Hall since 1923 and the first of an African American on any city-owned public property – that of… continue reading #BlackHistoryMonth: Celebrating The Life Of Octavius Catto

By written by Kate C.    February 5, 2018    2