As another year winds down, the ubiquitous "best books of 2010" lists are starting to appear. Certain titles seem destined to appear over and over (I'm thinking Jonathan Franzen's… continue reading

By Michelle S.   November 17, 2010    4

Some books I read to be entertained, others to be informed or to stretch my thinking--and it seems the best are able to do all three simultaneously. Scholastic's great You Are What You Read forum… continue reading

By Michelle S.   November 16, 2010    2

Pajama Story Time? Bilingual Story Time? No problem for Elizabeth Corbett, Children’s Librarian at the Charles Santore branch of the Free Library in South Philadelphia. Elizabeth, who… continue reading

By Sarah S.   November 15, 2010    2

One of the great things about being an archivist in the grand “Age of the Internet” is how easy it is to find other archives and communicate with other archivists. This comes in handy… continue reading

By Adrienne P.   November 10, 2010   

As I pre-ordered my tickets to the next Harry Potter film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I , I realized it’s been a while since I’ve re-read the series . I was first… continue reading

By Camille T.   November 10, 2010    3

Have you heard about Oxford University Press's fantastic Save the Words project? In an effort to revive English words that have fallen from common use, Save the Words encourages you to… continue reading

By Michelle S.   November 9, 2010    2

What do you think of this year's National Book Award finalists? From Nicole Krauss's Great House , to Patti Smith's Just Kids , to One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia , several of the… continue reading

By Michelle S.   November 8, 2010   

So many of us have been distressed by the recent suicides of teens bullied for being or seeming gay.  Here’s what the Free Library staff have done to help show that things can change.… continue reading

By Elizabeth H.   November 5, 2010   

When you look at a painting, can you tell if the paint is acrylic or tempera? When artwork in a gallery is called “mixed media,” do you start fretting about lazy cataloging? (Which… continue reading

By Adrienne P.   November 4, 2010    2

We're proud to announce that the Free Library has received the 2010 "Star Community Commitment to Education" EDDY Award from the Philadelphia Education Fund! We're being honored for our… continue reading

By Michelle S.   November 3, 2010    1

Local author Lori L. Tharps will be reading and signing copies of her new novel, Substitute Me , on Tuesday, November 9, at 6:30 p.m. at the Wadsworth Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia.… continue reading

By Michelle S.   November 2, 2010    3

This past month, Bob Edwards has been airing a fascinating, multi-part program series on NPR titled, "Shhhh...Libraries at Work!" In the series, he speaks with current ALA… continue reading

By Michelle S.   October 29, 2010    6

Looking for some great kid-tested, librarian-approved books for autumn? The children's librarians at the Free Library have put together a list of a few of their favorites. … continue reading

By Sarah S.   October 28, 2010   

Election day is Tuesday, November 2. Don't forget to vote! Several key races are taking place in Pennsylvania this election year, including the races for Governor and Lieutenant Governor; U.S.… continue reading

By Michelle S.   October 27, 2010   

We're excited to announce that Sherman Alexie's War Dances has been chosen as the 2011 One Book, One Philadelphia featured reading selection! Winner of the PEN/Faulkner Award, War Dances is a… continue reading

By Michelle S.   October 26, 2010    4

It’s that time of the year again. High school seniors are scrambling to finish their college applications and hoping to get into the college or university of their choice. If you are… continue reading

By Theresa R.   October 22, 2010    18

October is National Archives Month ! Many state archives have created posters like the one to the right to celebrate. And last week, you heard a little bit about our new archives project… continue reading

By Adrienne P.   October 21, 2010   

Presented by Andy Goodman for the Regional Foundation Center of the Free Library of Philadelphia ·         Friday, November 12, 3:00-4:00pm… continue reading

By Jenn D.   October 20, 2010    2

It’s been a week and people are still talking about the New York Times article titled " Picture Books No Longer a Staple for Children ," which ran on October 7, 2010. From the more… continue reading

By Sarah S.   October 19, 2010   

The Free Library will host students from Philadelphia's celebrated Science Leadership Academy for a ladies-only program about cars, their care, and the role they play in our lives. With Special… continue reading

By Kim B.   October 18, 2010    2