Over the past month, Net Neutrality has become front page news again and this time around it could potentially be the beginning of the end of the Internet (at least in the U.S.) as we know it. But let's back up a second: what is Net Neutrality and why is it so important? In its most basic terms, it is the idea of an open, accessible, and… continue reading The Fight for Net Neutrality
By written by Peter SM May 21, 2014
I was never a “reluctant reader” but when I was in high school I was reluctant to read from the lists my teachers made. This voracious reader preferred to make his own choices in the library accidentally while browsing nonfiction on the shelf as arranged intentionally by Dewey and his followers . Yes, nonfiction. I realized… continue reading A Plea to Teachers Assigning Summer Reading
By written by Adam F. May 21, 2014 3
Last weekend was a big one for Science Fiction & Fantasy Literature, as the Nebula Awards were announced in San Jose, CA. Philadelphia’s own Samuel R. Delany, Professor of Creative Writing at Temple, was named Grand Master. Check out Ancillary Justice, by Ann Leckie, which won best novel, and Sister Mine , by Nalo Hopkinson, winner of… continue reading Science Fiction Award Season!
By written by Joel N. May 20, 2014
Here are the Top 10 ebooks downloaded from the Free Library's OverDrive Digital Library in April 2014. More than 56,180 ebooks checked out and downloaded for the month! Debbie Macomber's latest novel in her Blossom Street series took the #1 spot this month, one of four Romance titles in this month's top 10. Mystery and suspense… continue reading Top 10 ebooks OverDrive Digital Library April 2014
By written by Peter SM May 16, 2014 1
View and listen to the Top 10 Author Event Podcasts Downloaded in April 2014 . Authors coming to the Free Library soon include novelist Colson Whitehead , opera singer Jessye Norman , photographer Joel Katz , legendary filmmaker John Waters , award-winning journalist Virginia Morris , and a romance panel with authors Megan Hart, Grace Burrowes,… continue reading Top 10 Author Event Podcasts Downloaded in April 2014
By written by Peter SM May 14, 2014
From Night of the Living Dead to World War Z , the fascination with zombies surfaces in every generation. Maybe its roots in folklore make them seem a bit more plausible, horrible, and utterly fascinating. Enjoy all things zombie? Then check out some of these books and movies available at the Free Library of Philadelphia! Series The White… continue reading Zombies, Zombies, and all things Zombie!
By written by Rachel F. May 14, 2014 1
What can you find at the Clark Park farmer’s market? Apples, greens, eggs...and librarians? Last month shoppers were treated to fresh tales in an unexpected place, cooked up by West Philadelphia Children’s Librarians. Between shopping for kale and battling in an epic adventure , Clark Park visitors could catch a story presented by… continue reading Tales at the Turtle
By written by Jamie B. May 13, 2014
The Free Library of Philadelphia has now made available for request volumes recently moved to the new Free Library Regional Research and Operations Center at South Bank, located at 34th Street and Grays Ferry Avenue. Customers will be able to place a request from our online catalog . For most items, a reserve can be made using the current… continue reading Regional Research and Operations Center - Material Retrieval
By written by Andrea Z. May 13, 2014 1
Sync is a new summer reading program, sponsored by Audio File Magazine , that offers two free audiobooks a week from May 15 - Aug 14. The audio titles are chosen specifically for teen readers, and it's a great way to keep the old brain muscles buff over the long summer break. Each week you'll get a current young adult title thematically… continue reading Sync Free YA Audiobooks to Your Earphones
By written by Jamie W. May 13, 2014
Welcome to this month's Children's Book Review! This month's installment comes from one of our wonderful Free Library of Philadelphia Children's Librarians, Chris Brown from the Wadsworth Branch Library . Your Children's Librarians have their finger on the pulse of not only what is new and hot for young readers, but also… continue reading What do I read after Riordan? - May Children's Book Reviews
By written by Sarah S. May 8, 2014
For the longest time I loved reading series. The bigger and more epic the better. But I succumbed to series fatigue years ago (just in time for all my favorite genres to decide that series were the Best Thing Ever!) and here are the three reasons why: 1. Unnecessarily long, drawn-out series I used to adore Laurell K. Hamilton ’s Anita… continue reading What Dena Reads: When Good Series Go Bad
By written by Dena May 7, 2014 3
Input was a Philadelphia panel discussion program hosted by John S. Stokes, Jr. that aired Sunday mornings on WCAU-TV10 from 1968 through early 1971. The program is a window in to the people and ideas that shaped that tumultuous time in Philadelphia. You'll find Input listed among the Streaming Video resources on our Digital Media… continue reading Streaming Philadelphia History - Introducing Input with Marion Stokes & John S. Stokes, Jr
By written by Jamie W. May 5, 2014
The Philadelphia Parent & Guardian Impact Survey will be available starting today through June 13, 2014! The survey provides parents and guardians of students in Philadelphia public and charter schools a way to let schools know what they think about the quality of education in Philadelphia. The new survey… continue reading Be heard. Take the Philadelphia Parent & Guardian Impact Survey Now!
By written by Michelle S. May 5, 2014 1
It's the first of the month so that means it's time for a new Early Literacy calendar from the Free Library of Philadelphia's children's librarians! The month of May is full of fun little holidays that you can celebrate with the children in your life like reading a nursey rhyme together on Mother Goose Day or making… continue reading May 2014 Early Literacy Calendar
By written by Jennifer W. April 30, 2014
Let's get the "Word on the Web" and check out some recent topics of interest and discussion from the tech, literary, library, and arts and entertainment sections of the World Wide Web in April 2014. Free Library has partnered up with Philadelphia Science Festival for a series of fun and educational Neighborhood Science After… continue reading Word on the Web April 2014
By written by Peter SM April 30, 2014 2
2014 marks the 75th anniversary of "The Dark Knight," "The Caped Crusader," "The World's Greatest Detective"--Batman! Feel free to sing along... Created by Bob Kane and Bil Finger in 1939, Batman debuted in Detective Comics #27 and the world was introduced to one of the more interesting and complicated… continue reading Batman at 75
By written by Peter SM April 25, 2014 2
What better way to celebrate science than in your own backyard? Join the Philadelphia Science Festival at several of our neighborhood libraries after school for a celebration of science exploration! Scientists, engineers, and other experts will share their knowledge to provide FUN and FREE programs, including interactive activities,… continue reading Get Nerdy with Neighborhood Science After School!
By written by Rachel F. April 25, 2014
A recent piece in the Washington Post got me thinking about jobs and the recovery. By most accounts the worst of the Great Recession is behind us. The unemployment rate , while it's still about 2.3 percent higher than it was five years ago, is slowly falling. That doesn't mean that people are necessarily finding good jobs though, jobs… continue reading Jump Start Your Own Economic Recovery
By written by Jamie W. April 23, 2014
Happy Earth Day ! 2014 marks the 44th celebration of all things eco-friendly with a focus this year on Green Cities and creating a sustainable, healthy environment for communities worldwide. . As the saying goes, "Think Globally, Act Locally". Just doing little things like recycling water bottles and picking up litter on the streets… continue reading Happy Earth Day 2014
By written by Peter SM April 22, 2014
The Northeast Regional Library celebrated its 50 th Anniversary with plenty of special programs -- and plenty of cake, too! We welcomed over 7,000 patrons walking in to our library during the week-long celebration. This exciting celebration included a variety of programs offered by all departments, including programs offered throughout… continue reading Northeast Regional Library: Celebrating 50 Years of Service to the Community
By written by Jenny C. April 22, 2014
