Blog Articles
It may feel like summer has only just began, but at the Free Library we are already prepping for back-to-school and the arrival of our Jumpstart Camp program. Jumpstart is a three-week camp that… continue reading Jumpstart Camp: Free Back to School Prep
By written by Becky F. June 23, 2017 1
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 #ThrowbackThursday: Revisiting Where the Red Fern Grows
By written by Mary W. June 22, 2017 2
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 A History Minute: The Fortunes of Philadelphia - The Trolley Kings
By written by Sally F. June 21, 2017 1
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 Meet Greg Pizzoli, Our Summer of Wonder Artist
By written 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 Picture Book Highlights | Spunky Little Monkey
By written 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 When School's Out, Stay Cool with Awesome Activities at the Free Library!
By written 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 #Mystery Monday: The Infamous Carmen Sandiego
By written 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 The Bright Knight Shines Immortal: Remembering Adam West
By written 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 5 Notable Literary Fathers
By written 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 Partner Spotlight: Small Business Administration Eastern Pennsylvania District Office
By written 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 #ThrowbackThursday: Revisiting Heart of Darkness (with a little Frankenstein thrown in)
By written 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 Great YA Road Trip Books for Pride Month!
By written 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 Mapping Ulysses
By written 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 Twins = Adorable
By written 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 #MysteryMonday: Confessions of a Mystery Addict
By written 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 The Handmaid’s Tale: A Classic Dystopia Comes of Age
By written by Julie B. June 12, 2017 2
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 Summer of Wonder Kickoff at Parkway Central!
By written 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 Discoveries from the Fleisher Collection: The Dance of Ravel and Satie
By written 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 #ThrowbackThursday: Revisiting From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
By written 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 Re-Joyce: The Rosenbach Celebrates James Joyce with its Annual Bloomsday Festival
By written by Sara D. June 7, 2017