September is Library Card Sign-Up Month —do you have your Free Library card ?! Anyone who lives, works, pays taxes, or attends school in the city of Philadelphia is eligible, so share the news! Your Free Library card connects you to thousands of books, DVDs, CDs, and other materials from the catalog , and grants you… continue reading Happy Library Card Sign-Up Month!
By written by Kate C. August 31, 2022 10
Little Free Libraries have been around since the early 2000’s and many are familiar with their communal “leave a book, take a book” nature. In 2016, Portland artists Erinn Kathryn and Jen LaMastra created the Little Free Gallery Project. Their project temporarily converted twenty Little Free Libraries into art galleries for a… continue reading The Big Deal about Small Art: No Small Artists, Only Small Artworks
By written by Jeanette C. August 29, 2022 1
It's hard to believe summer is almost over, isn't it? But the good news is that a new school year is about to start! There's something exciting about beginning fresh another year of learning. Perhaps you're going back to your old school and will see familar faces, or maybe you're going to a brand new school and will have a… continue reading Picture Book Highlights | Back to School!
By written by Monica C. August 26, 2022
Last November, we announced that Kelly Richards would be joining the Free Library as our new President and Director , coming to Philadelphia after serving as the Director of the Muskegon Area District Library in Michigan and President of the Michigan Library Association. Mr. Richards began his tenure with us on January 14, 2022 , and as he… continue reading Celebrating Six Months with Kelly Richards!
By written by Kate C. August 24, 2022 1
We are so excited to introduce you to Claire Lutz, the BRIC's newest librarian! Claire started in July. Be sure to say hello when you see her in the Business Resource and Innovation Center (BRIC) at Parkway Central Library . Read on to learn more about Claire! Bragging rights: Tell us a little about your career before becoming a… continue reading Introducing BRIC's New Business Librarian: Claire
By written by Gillian R. August 24, 2022 1
We've got a few more weeks of sweet summertime to warm up our days and bring with it all sorts of fun outdoors activities! I'm very keen on summer, as you can see here and here . So what do I have for you this year? Check out these great books celebrating summer with all its glory: in the city, at the beach or on a lake! The World… continue reading Picture Book Highlights | Summertime
By written by Monica C. August 22, 2022
We have loved spending our summer with you, and now we’re just as excited to get back to school! The start of a new school year can look different for everyone. Most students are returning to the classroom, while some may continue with virtual learning or get into a homeschooling routine. The Free Library is here to help with that… continue reading It's Back to School Time at the Free Library!
By written by Emily S. August 22, 2022
August is National Black Business Month ! Philadelphia is home to a wide array of Black-owned businesses, from art galleries to restaurants and so much more. Just how many Black-owned businesses are there in Philadelphia? In 2019, Pew Charitable Trust’s State of the City report put the figure at 2.5% of all Philadelphia businesses .… continue reading August is National Black Business Month
By written by Claire L. August 18, 2022
With fall approaching, what better time than now to join the Adult Literacy Book Club , presented by the Free Library's Languages and Learning Center ! Improve your reading skills while reading and discussing interesting books as we turn the page on a new season in Philadelphia. Don't always have a lot of time to read? No problem. The… continue reading The Adult Literacy Book Club's Fall Book Selection
By written by Phil K. August 17, 2022
We're setting new Summer of Wonder records in 2022! Not only did we meet our Community Reading Minutes goal for the summer, we also blasted past all of our minutes-read milestones and logged the most online community minutes read in Free Library history! As of this month, we have read over 360,000 minutes! We're so proud. To… continue reading Celebrating Another Summer of Wonder
By written by Emily S. August 15, 2022
Did you know that water makes up 71 percent of our world and is a vital component of all forms of life on Earth? Look at a globe and you’ll see our continents surrounded by oceans. When seen from space, our planet looks blue due to all the water on its surface! Would you like to learn more about water? Start here! Hey, water by Antoinette… continue reading Picture Book Highlights | Water
By written by Monica C. August 12, 2022
Literacy in Early Learning Spaces is a Free Library project focused on literacy and language development in children from birth through 5 years old. We partner with childcare programs across Philadelphia and are funded through a generous investment from the Vanguard Strong Start for Kids Program™. This post was written by Bilingual Early… continue reading Literacy in Early Learning Spaces | How does reading out loud help young children learn to talk?
By written by Emily S. August 10, 2022
Throughout the month of July, Field Teen Center recorded interviews with a voice actor, four game designers, and a comic book writer. If you’re interested in creative jobs or if you just want to learn more about how your favorite TV shows, games, and books are made, you won’t want to miss these! Job Talk: A Conversation with Voice… continue reading Explore Creative Careers with Field Teen Center!
By written by Yona Y. August 5, 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 recommended. The following neighborhood library locations will serve as cooling centers from Monday, August 8, 2022 to Tuesday,… continue reading Cooling Centers Open at Select Libraries on Monday, August 8 through Tuesday, August 9
By written by Jenn D. August 5, 2022
Interested in time travel? The superpowered James Webb Telescope has released its first images this month, giving us a window into distant space and the distant past. It’s dazzling. The Carina Nebula, a birthing ground for stars, appears as a mountainous orange wave flowing upward in a deep blue twinkling field. Stephan’s Quintet,… continue reading Time Travel to the Beginning of the Universe
By written by Emily S. August 5, 2022
Juanita Vega DeJoseph is the Assistant Department Head in the Art & Literature Department and someone who enjoys cooking and creating. We are so grateful to Juanita for sharing her process of making sofrito, a recipe that has much meaning to her. In the following video, we are invited into a conversation between Juanita and… continue reading Making Sofrito with Juanita and Family!
By written by Shayna M. August 1, 2022 3
Ready for some new reads to escape this long, hot summer? Read on for fun and inspiring books to help get you through the dog days of August. Young Children (up to 2nd Grade) To Change a Planet by Christina Soontornvat; illustrated by Rahele Jomepour Bell Earth spins through eons of time, and then one day humans arrive and they change the… continue reading New Titles Coming to the Free Library in August!
By written by Rachel F. August 1, 2022
