You know we’ve got books. Lots. More than 2 million, in fact. (And that doesn’t even include our streaming and downloadable ebooks and audiobooks!) We’ve got it all. From A to Z. From small books for tiny page turners to big tomes for lifelong learners. From much-loved paperbacks to swipe-able reads that fit in the palm of… continue reading Hitting the Streets (and Buses and Subways): There’s MORE TO EXPLORE at the Free Library

By written by Shahadah A.    April 30, 2018   

• 21st Century Libraries
• Library Resources

On February 3, 1958, Dwight D. Eisenhower issued a proclamation to designate May 1 as  Law Day . This year marks its 60th anniversary. Eisenhower declared it to be a day for us to remember and reflect upon the significant role the law has played in our nation’s heritage. It is also a day for us to recognize the law’s… continue reading In Commemoration of Law Day, the Free Library Offers Legal Advice Live!

By written by Marija G.    April 30, 2018   

• Events at the Library
• A History Minute
• Law

By: Nicole Gregoire, CPSD Public Health Intern 1 in 5 Philadelphians suffer from food insecurity. Come learn what food insecurity means and how it’s affecting your community at the fourth annual Good Food for All conference, presented by the Culinary Literacy Center and the Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger on May 10 from… continue reading Good Food for All: Fight Food Insecurity at the Free Library of Philadelphia

By written by Administrator    April 27, 2018    1  

• Culinary Literacy
• Conferences

April is National Poetry Month ! I know what you are thinking—poetry is something assigned to you by a teacher and you kind of understand what the author is saying but maybe not really? Maybe the books you were assigned were a total drag? Fear not friends—I’ve got the scoop on some riveting and fast-paced YA novels written in… continue reading Young Adult Novels in Verse

By written by Rachel F.    April 26, 2018   

• Recommendations
• Poetry
• YA literature

The best part of comics and graphic novels for me has been the increasing celebration of female friendship and teamwork. There are a ton of comic dudes out there who disagree. They, however, are wrong. Who will have your back like your sister from another mister? Who better to celebrate Galentine's Day with but your squad of lady… continue reading Where's My Girl Gang At? Female Friendship in Adventure Comics

By written by Rachel F.    April 25, 2018   

• Recommendations
• YA literature
• Comics and Graphic Novels
• Comic Con

Take a deep dive into the Free Library’s resources on African American artists at The Libraries Are Appreciated , an exhibition from the Parkway Central’s Art Department . Borrowing its name from the 1943 painting by Jacob Lawrence that honors the library’s active role in providing free education for all, this exhibition… continue reading Black Artists from the Stacks: The Libraries Are Appreciated

By written by Jamie B.    April 24, 2018   

• Exhibitions
• Art
• Databases
• African American
• Catalog
• Regional Research and Operations Center

The Parkway Central Library will present A Voice for Peace, Concord, and Harmony: XII International Poetry Festival in Philadelphia during the global celebration of poetry in the month of lyric and love, May. This event will congregate poets from Latin America and the United States in an evening of verse and music in Philadelphia. The… continue reading A Voice for Peace, Concord, and Harmony: XII International Poetry Festival in Philadelphia

By written by Mary Marques    April 24, 2018   

• Poetry
• New Americans

Science is the star this week around Philly, with the start of the annual Philadelphia Science Festival beginning this past weekend. We thought we would delve deep into our book stacks and search out some noteworthy yet unheralded contributors to the world of science that have a local connection to Philadelphia, and lo and behold they also just… continue reading A Science Minute: 7 Female Philadelphia Scientists You've Probably Never Heard Of

By written by Sally F.    April 23, 2018    2  

• Science
• A Science Minute
• Women's History Month

Want to have your book and eat it … er, drink it … too? You may know that the Free Library of Philadelphia is a public institution, funded by the City of Philadelphia, which provides for its staff and infrastructure. What sometimes surprises people is that the City works hand-in-hand with the Free Library Foundation, a nonprofit… continue reading Raise a Glass to the Free Library: The Spring Rooftop Beer Garden Series Is Back!

By written by Julie B.    April 23, 2018    8  

• Events at the Library
• Parkway Central
• Support

Jane Eyre was my first favorite book. And that makes Charlotte Brontë —whose 202nd birthday we celebrate tomorrow—my first favorite author. I met Charlotte and Jane when I was in fifth grade, home sick, and totally bored. My mom gave me one of those Reader’s Digest Condensed Book collections, which contained an edition of… continue reading The Fiery and Dramatic Heart of Charlotte Brontë

By written by Alix G.    April 20, 2018   

• Literary History
• Author Birthdays

Two of our most popular digital resources are getting a new home on your mobile device. RBDigital Audiobooks and RBDigital Magazines ( formerly Zinio )  are now both available through the RBDigital App.  This change will bring the best and latest digital audiobooks as well as current newsstand magazines together in one… continue reading Check Out the New App for Digital Audiobooks and Magazines

By written by Jamie W.    April 20, 2018    9  

• Databases
• Digital Media
• Audiobooks

In Philadelphia, April means the Philadelphia Science Festival ! The week-long festival, hosted by the Franklin Institute, includes hundreds of free and low-cost programs across the city for children, families, and adults. The Free Library is excited to host several science-based children's programs in 11 of our neighborhood libraries… continue reading #GetNerdyPHL at the Philadelphia Science Festival!

By written by Valerie S.    April 20, 2018   

• Events at the Library
• Childrens Programs
• Community Events
• Family Programs
• Science
• LEAP
• STEM

The GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) Media Awards took place on April 12 in Los Angeles and were broadcast on the LOGOtv network last night. The awards, now in their 29th year, honor the media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer communities and the… continue reading This Year's GLAAD Media Award Winners Are...

By written by Peter SM    April 19, 2018   

• Awards
• LGBTQ

Comics are for everyone, even the youngest readers! Graphic novels account for some of the most popular children’s books today, are an excellent way to engage even the most reluctant reader, and are accessible to multiple levels of literacy while often featuring familiar characters to help peak the interest of readers. As a… continue reading Children's Graphic Novel Recommendations

By written by Meredith M.    April 17, 2018   

• Childrens Books
• Recommendations
• Comics and Graphic Novels
• Comic Con

We’re a hall of learning, a cove of curiosity, an ambassador of opportunities, and a fount of resources. The Free Library of Philadelphia is one of the most widely used educational and cultural institutions in the city. Our more than 25,000 annual events span from storytimes to cooking classes to jazz performances inspired by our… continue reading Creative Thinkers at the Free Library and on WHYY’s Articulate

By written by Julie B.    April 17, 2018   

• Events at the Library
• Television
• Author Events

This year has been full of meaningful milestones not only for the Free Library, but for the entire city of Philadelphia. Notably, our boulevard magnifique, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, is celebrating its 100th birthday! The  Parkway Central Library  and our Parkway neighbors have been marking the occasion with exhibitions,… continue reading Celebrate the History of our City and the Free Library at the 2018 Family Event!

By written by Alexa L.    April 16, 2018   

• Events at the Library
• Childrens Programs
• Family Programs
• Parkway Central
• Support
• Storytime

Today, April 13, is the first of two Friday the 13ths occurring in 2018. The next one arrives exactly 13 weeks later on July 13! The only logical thing to do on such a superstitious occassion is to stay (safely) inside away from black cats, open ladders, spilled salt, cracked sidewalks, broken mirrors, and other horrific hazards and stream some… continue reading 13 Screamingly Scary Movies to Stream This Friday the 13th!

By written by Peter SM    April 13, 2018   

• Recommendations
• Film
• Digital Media

by Ray Banas and Perry Genovesi On March 22, Wilco guitarist Nels Cline became the latest high-profile musician to dig into some Free Library resources. Ray Banas, the Head of the Music Department and members of the Ars Nova Workshop arranged his visit. The purpose of this was to seek out the high-quality books, scores, and music resources to… continue reading Nels Cline from Wilco Visits the Music Department!

By written by Music Department    April 12, 2018   

• Fleisher Collection
• Music

We know the Free Library is one of the most heavily used cultural and educational institutions in our city. We’ve got the numbers: In fiscal year 2017, 640,000 people in Philadelphia held a library card, and the Library welcomed more than 5 million in-person visits—plus millions more online. But how do Philadelphians view the Free… continue reading The Library’s Impact: A New Report

By written by Julie B.    April 12, 2018   

• Community
• National Library Week
• Inclusivity
• Library Resources

You love Black Panther, I love Black Panther—we all love Black Panther! Have you already read through all of our Black Panther comics and graphic novels available in our catalog? Feeling ready to branch out and explore what else is out there in African and African-American Superheroes? We got you covered! Malika: Warrior Queen Set in… continue reading African and African-American Superheroes That Aren’t the Black Panther

By written by Rachel F.    April 11, 2018   

• Recommendations
• YA literature
• Comics and Graphic Novels
• Comic Con