It may feel like the summer only just began, but we at the Free Library are already prepping for back to school and the arrival of our Jumpstart Camp program. Jumpstart is a three-week camp that… continue reading
By Becky F. June 23, 2017
Before the Re-Read... To be honest, I can’t even remember what grade I was in when I first read this book. It was either third or fourth, a time at which I still was a non-reader. I read the… continue reading
By Mary W. June 22, 2017
Mid-19th century Philadelphia was booming. Its factories produced iron and steel, locomotives and textiles, and finished goods of all kinds. Immigrants and citizens alike flowed into the city to… continue reading
By Sally F. June 21, 2017
You may know him as the recipient of multiple Theodor Seuss Geisel Awards . You may know him as the author of such great books as The Watermelon Seed , Good Night Owl , and Number One Sam . Now… continue reading
By Becky F. June 20, 2017
Looking for a book that will help get kids moving? We have a good one for you! Our new selection for Picture Books Highlights – a series of posts where we put the spotlight on a brand-new… continue reading
By Monica C. June 20, 2017
While some schools in the area have already let out for the summer, the last official day for Philadelphia School District students is Tuesday, June 20. Woo Hoo! While pools and spraygrounds… continue reading
By Administrator June 19, 2017
Today’s #MysteryMonday is also some nostaligia-on-the-19th—we’re catching up with one of our favorite crime capers, the big-hatted, red-coated Carmen Sandiego . She made her… continue reading
By Julie B. June 19, 2017
Superheroes aren't supposed to die—they're larger than life, courageous, fight for what's right, and are here to help and protect us. They are immortal. Adam West, whose double… continue reading
By Peter SM June 16, 2017
Father's Day is a chance to wish dear old dad or those special men in our lives that helped raise and guide us, a big thank you for your service. While you honor the father figure in your… continue reading
By Camille T. June 16, 2017
This month we’re speaking with Robert Goza, Lead Economic Development Specialist/Public Information Officer at the U.S. Small Business Administration Eastern Pennsylvania District Office .… continue reading
By CaitlinT June 15, 2017
First a quick synopsis: Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad is the story of an English boat captain (Marlow) who, in the late 19th century, makes his way up the Congo River into the African… continue reading
By Kelsey B. June 15, 2017
It's pretty much summer time and I don't know about you, but in the summer, I get the urge to travel. However, being a grown up comes with the fact that you can't just up and take off… continue reading
By Rachel F. June 14, 2017
James Joyce is said to have told his acquaintance, artist and writer Frank Budgen, that he wanted his novel Ulysses to "give a picture of Dublin so complete that if the city suddenly… continue reading
By Sara D. June 14, 2017
My eight year old self secretly wished I had a twin sister. I imagined we would do everything together, share clothes, but mostly, trick people with our identity. Naturally I came to terms with… continue reading
By Camille T. June 13, 2017
My mom always says she knew she had trouble on her hands when, at the age of about six, I requested a Time Life series of hard-backed books about real-life murderers that I’d seen advertised… continue reading
By Alix G. June 12, 2017
"Hate-watching"—watching something you dislike for the oddly enjoyable/satisfying/fun experience of hating on it—has become a staple of our media times. I am typically a… continue reading
By Julie B. June 12, 2017 1
This week, the Free Library of Philadelphia celebrated the start of Summer of Wonder , our summer reading program, with an annual kickoff event featuring special guest visits and a whole bunch of… continue reading
By Becky F. June 9, 2017
Saturday, June 10, 2017, 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Maurice Ravel (1875–1937). Daphnis and Chloe, Suite No. 1 (1912) Erik Satie (1866–1925). Mercury (1924) Satie . Jack in the Box… continue reading
By Fleisher Collection June 9, 2017
We read all year long, but there’s just something about summer reads. There’s an excitement, a tingle, to determining your Summer Reading list (even if there’s not much… continue reading
By Julie B. June 8, 2017 1
June 16 is observed around the world as a celebration of James Joyce and his epic Ulysses , a novel that has been called everything from masterfully moving to hilariously obscene. Nowhere in the… continue reading
By Sara D. June 7, 2017