Blog Articles
Scott O’Dell once summed up being an author in three simple words: “Writing is hard.” As a writer of children’s historical fiction, he excelled in creating his own story… continue reading The Scott O'Dell papers
By written by Adrienne P. March 19, 2012 5
The Free Library is teaming up with Everyblock Philadelphia! Everyblock is a community website that operates like a modern day block watch by collecting 19 types of news in Philadelphia. It… continue reading Free Library and Everyblock
By written by Eileen O. March 16, 2012 2
by Edward Pettit Tonight our Dickens Literary Salon will be discussing the author’s final, incomplete mystery novel, The Mystery of Edwin Drood . SPOILERS AHEAD When Edwin Drood goes… continue reading An Unsolved Mystery
By written by Caitlin G. March 15, 2012 2
This is the first of many blog posts about The Borneman Pennsylvania German Manuscript Collection, which has been part of the Rare Book Department at the Free Library of Philadelphia (FLP) since… continue reading The Borneman Pennsylvania German Manuscript Collection Soon Available Online
By written by Janine P. March 9, 2012
I’ve always found short stories the perfect reading material for sunny days spent outdoors. Of course reading any novel or non-fiction book in the park on a warm afternoon is hard to beat,… continue reading Short Stories for Spring
By written by Eileen O. March 8, 2012 1
Hi! I’m Garrett Boos, the most recent archivist to join the “Milestones in 20th Century American Children’s Literature” project at the Free Library of Philadelphia. My… continue reading Finding aid conversions at the Free Library of Philadelphia
By written by Caitlin G. March 6, 2012
For the past few years, we have heard from many of you about the things you want our online catalog to do. Searching should be as easy and intuitive as possible. You’d like the… continue reading Introducing the Free Library's New Catalog
By written by Carolyn P. March 5, 2012 20
When Charles Dickens died suddenly of stroke in 1870 he had written half of a novel, The Mystery of Edwin Drood . Dickens published all of his novels in serial format and wrote the chapters… continue reading Boz Bicentenary Speaker Series - Matthew Pearl
By written by Caitlin G. March 2, 2012 1
After nine months of restoration work, Philbrick Hall at Parkway Central Library reopened today! Made possible by the Annenberg Foundation, the renovation of Philbrick Hall opened up 2,500 square… continue reading Philbrick Hall Reopens to Public after Extensive Renovation
By written by Michelle S. March 1, 2012 19
If the second season of the hit PBS series Downton Abbey has you thinking of what Oscar Wilde said about there being only two types of tragedies: “One is not getting what one wants, and the… continue reading Can’t Get Enough Downton Abbey?
By written by Jamie W. February 29, 2012 1
The world of children’s literature lost an icon recently with the passing of Philadelphia native and longtime Bucks County resident Jan Berenstain, co-creator with her husband Stan of the… continue reading In Memoriam: Jan Berenstain
By written by Michelle S. February 27, 2012 1
With all the glitz and glamour that Hollywood is known for, it is easy to imagine that the Oscars have always looked like they do now with red carpets and galas and tear-soaked speeches. … continue reading Looking Back at the First Annual Academy Awards
By written by Caitlin G. February 24, 2012
Morningstar is a trusted name in financial analysis. While its flagship product, Morningstar.com, has been available in our Business, Science, and Industry Department at the Parkway Central… continue reading Your Money Matters: Morningstar Library Edition Now Available At All FLP Locations!
By written by Jamie W. February 23, 2012 1
As I’m sure many of my fellow readers do, too, I have an extensive and ever-rotating list of favorite authors. I look forward to reading their new works and enjoy exploring their back lists… continue reading “Hardback Favorites” - Margot Livesey
By written by Michelle S. February 22, 2012
See update to this story (10/2/2013) In a surprise announcement on February 9th, Penguin Group, one of the world’s largest publishers, terminated its partnership with OverDrive , the primary… continue reading New Penguin Ebooks No Longer Available to Libraries
By written by Jamie W. February 17, 2012 8
We wanted to let you, our valued customers, know of some proposed changes to our Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped that will impact the ability to check out talking books. The state… continue reading Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Faces Cuts
By written by Alix G. February 16, 2012
The Free Library’s book fund needs some love! Over the past three years, our materials budget has been slashed by 40%, severely limiting the number of books, DVDs, and ebooks we’re… continue reading Show Your Library Love!
By written by Eileen O. February 15, 2012
With six more weeks of winter to go, I’m starting to get some serious wanderlust. I know, I know, winter hasn’t even come close to being as bad as it has in recent years: no major snow… continue reading Winter Blues
By written by Eileen O. February 10, 2012 4
You've asked for 'em, now we've got 'em: interactive, talking ebooks for children! TumbleBooks is "an online collection of animated, talking picture books which teach kids the… continue reading Introducing TumbleBooks!
By written by Sarah S. February 8, 2012 2
Today marks the 200th birthday of Charles Dickens, and the Free Library joins the global celebration honoring the life and legacy of the world's first literary superstar. Philadelphia is… continue reading Happy 200th Birthday Charles Dickens!
By written by Caitlin G. February 7, 2012 2