For the past 25 years, America’s birthplace (Philly, of course!) has celebrated America’s birthday (July 4, of course!) with Wawa Welcome America – a multi-day festival of FREE… continue reading
By Kate C. June 19, 2018
What’s a climbing wall doing at the Library?? The library used to be a quiet place—families and children sitting quietly together reading. Because that’s what people did at the… continue reading
By Julie B. June 18, 2018
Do you want to improve your English skills? Are you interested in cooking new recipes and eating delicious food? If so, the Culinary Literacy Center has the class for you! Edible Alphabet is a… continue reading
By Lindsay S. June 18, 2018 1
For the second year in a row, Summer of Wonder is teaming up with the Rosenbach to offer free admission for families to the museum! Once you step through the museum’s stately front doors,… continue reading
By Ann P. June 15, 2018
Temperatures are getting warmer, days are getting longer, schools are out for break, and that can only mean one thing: summer! The season will officially begin in the northern hemisphere on… continue reading
By Alexa L. June 15, 2018
Did you know that the United Nations has declared June 20 to be World Refugee Day ? There are all kinds of reasons that someone might leave their country – new job opportunities,… continue reading
By Rachel F. June 14, 2018
In our ongoing series of blog posts highlighting our awesome staff throughout the Free Library of Philadelphia, today we take some time to speak with Link Ross - Children's Librarian at South… continue reading
By Administrator June 13, 2018 1
As summer is approaching and the season of dinner parties and cookouts are among us, it is imperative that one must stack up on cookbooks. There are numerous new cookbooks out on shelves, but this… continue reading
By Paul M. June 12, 2018
Children in North Philadelphia face a unique set of obstacles. Growing up in one of the poorest urban centers in America and struggling to stay on grade level and away from some of the devastating… continue reading
By Autumn M. June 12, 2018
Lamb — yes, lamb! That’s the start of the popular 19th century nursery rhyme about a girl named Mary and her faithful little lamb... It’s a rhyme, it’s a song (by Paul… continue reading
By Monica C. June 11, 2018
Chef. Raconteur. Explorer. Enthusiast . Anthony Bourdain was all of these things and much more. He had a lust for life that was all encompassing, whether it was his dream of traveling to the Congo… continue reading
By Peter SM June 8, 2018
Maybe you've seen the posters around your local library or neighborhood and thought, "Who created that artwork?" The Free Library of Philadelphia is thrilled that award-winning… continue reading
By Valerie S. June 8, 2018
As communities’ needs and desires change, libraries and staff are adapting and evolving with them. Long gone are the days when librarians mostly sat behind desks fielding reference… continue reading
By Community-Centered Libraries June 7, 2018 2
It's almost officially summer here in Philadelphia, as the sun finally breaks through all the recent rain clouds and schools will be letting out early next week. No matter what your plans are… continue reading
By Christina P. June 6, 2018 1
In our ongoing series of historical posts about Philadelphia neighborhoods, today we bring you our neighbors to the northwest, Germantown... Germantown was the first permanent German… continue reading
By Sally F. June 5, 2018 2
Nonconforming picture books challenge stereotypes: in these books, boys and girls act and behave in a way that feels right to them rather than by conforming to expectations or conventional… continue reading
By Monica C. June 4, 2018
In 1970, bisexual activist Brenda Howard organized the first Christopher Street Liberation Day March, marking the one-year anniversary of New York City’s Stonewall Uprising . The Uprising… continue reading
By Sara P. June 1, 2018 1
June is Immigrant Heritage Month, a national month that uses storytelling to highlight immigrant communities. This year, the Free Library of Philadelphia is partnering with the city’s Office… continue reading
By Nate E. June 1, 2018
The Print and Picture Collection recently added a group of photos to the Historical Images of Philadelphia Digital Collection featuring intrepid reporter Vivian Shirley climbing three… continue reading
By Laura S. May 31, 2018 2
June’s selections are an eclectic mix of kids and pet problems, a Muslim Arab-American teenager navigating cultural and personal relationships, a family attempting to survive a home invasion… continue reading
By Paul A. May 31, 2018