Blog Articles
Next month marks the 200th birthday of Charles Dickens. With brightly colored banners hanging outside Parkway Central, Rare Book Department exhibitions, special storytime readings, and our very… continue reading Dickens of the 21st Century
By written by Eileen O. January 10, 2012
We are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the classic Life Story by Virginia Lee Burton. First published in 1962, this wonderful book tells the tale of life on Earth from the beginning to the… continue reading "Ever Wondrous to Behold": The 50th Anniversary of Virginia Lee Burton's Life Story
By written by Adrienne P. January 10, 2012
Enjoy a brief selection of books about the winter, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Chinese New Year! Winter Babies Wear Layers , by Michelle Sinclair Colman, illustrations by Nathalie Dion… continue reading Welcome the winter season with another year of amazing books!
By written by Michelle S. January 9, 2012
The Mayor's Commission on Literacy has an exciting community development bidding opportunity for Philadelphia's adult literacy providers and nonprofit organizations to receive $30,000 for work to… continue reading Funding Opportunity from The Mayor's Commission on Literacy
By written by Eileen O. January 9, 2012 2
In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy, the Free Library has a host of events and activities across the branches to commemorate the inspiring work of the Civil Rights… continue reading Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the Free Library!
By written by Eileen O. January 6, 2012 1
One of the Free Library of Philadelphia’s best and brightest Children’s Librarians can be found at the Independence Branch at 18 South 7 th Street, a neighborhood rich in culture and… continue reading Preschool Spotlight on... Margaret Bernardi
By written by Sarah S. January 5, 2012 4
“Flying Home” is probably my favorite essay in Create Dangerously. I’ve had a fascination with flying ever since I was a small child. I was immediately drawn in by and identified… continue reading Chatting One Book: Create Dangerously, Chapter Twelve - “Flying Home”
By written by Michelle S. January 5, 2012
I used to read novels and short stories almost exclusive to other types of writing. In an effort to broaden my literary horizons a little while ago, I started reading and enjoying a wider… continue reading New Year's Resolution: Read More Novels (Again)!
By written by Michelle S. January 4, 2012 4
Beginning in January, the Free Library will continue its Year of Dickens 2012 with monthly literary salons, each featuring a different Dickens novel. The salons are free and open to all readers,… continue reading Dickens Literary Salons in 2012
By written by Eileen O. December 29, 2011 1
A vibrant and colorful exhibition at the Parkway Central Library highlights one of the most enduring legacies of Charles Dickens's genius: the unforgettable characters he brought to life.… continue reading Character Sketches from the World of Charles Dickens
By written by Caitlin G. December 28, 2011 4
In chapter eight of Create Dangerously, “Another Country,” Edwidge Danticat writes about natural disaster and about how many residents of the developed world so frequently associate… continue reading Chatting One Book: Create Dangerously, Chapter Eight - “Another Country”
By written by Michelle S. December 22, 2011 1
The Free Library of Philadelphia is excited to be piloting a groundbreaking new program that offers adults 50 years of age and older the opportunity to learn how to use a variety of e-readers,… continue reading Adults 50 Years of Age and Older: Check out an E-reader from the Free Library!
By written by Michelle S. December 20, 2011 4
Last Friday, the literary world lost one of its most impassioned and opinionated contributors to the public discourse on religion and intellectualism--Christopher Hitchens. A self-styled… continue reading In Memoriam - Christopher Hitchens
By written by Michelle S. December 19, 2011
With 2011 coming to an end, we want to recognize the 75 th anniversary of one of our favorite children’s books: Munro Leaf and Robert Lawson’s The Story of Ferdinand. Published by… continue reading Happy Birthday to Ferdinand the Bull!
By written by Caitlin G. December 16, 2011 6
“I know this is what you do now,” Tante Zi said. “This thing with the writing. I know it’s your work, but please don’t write what you think you know about… continue reading Chatting One Book: Create Dangerously, Chapter Six - “The Other Side of the Water”
By written by Michelle S. December 15, 2011
![Mrs. [Susanna] Rowson. Charlotte Temple, a Tale of Truth. Harrisburg, Pennsyl. Printed for Mathew Carey of Philadelphia, by John Wyeth, 1802. Guy deFuria collection.](https://libwww.freelibrary.org/images/blog/FLPBlog/orig/Charlotte Temple 217.JPG)
Yesterday marked 200 years since the death of Elizabeth Arnold Hopkins Poe (1787–1811), mother of Edgar Allan Poe. Edgar was just 2 years-old when his mother died. Born in… continue reading Eliza Poe
By written by Janine P. December 9, 2011 2
The Free Library is joining forces with Feeding America and Dreamworks Pictures in conjunction with the newly released Blu-Ray DVD of The Hel p , a film based on the bestselling novel by Kathryn… continue reading If You Are Looking to “Help” This Holiday Season, Look No Further!
By written by Michelle S. December 9, 2011
“My country, Jean,” I said, “is one of uncertainty. When I say ‘my country’ to some Haitians, they think I mean the United States. When I say ‘my… continue reading Chatting One Book: Create Dangerously, Chapter 3 - “I Am Not a Journalist”
By written by Michelle S. December 8, 2011
The holiday season is a time for sharing, and what better gift to share with the young people in your life than books? Here are some great new holiday books for children. Look for them in local… continue reading Great New Holiday Books for Kids
By written by Sarah S. December 5, 2011 3
We’re deep in the heart of the reading period for the 2012 One Book, One Philadelphia season, and I’m reading Edwidge Danticat’s Create Dangerously: The Immigrant Artist at Work… continue reading Chatting One Book: Create Dangerously, Chapter 2 - “Walk Straight”
By written by Michelle S. December 1, 2011 1