Finding free, publicly accessible Wi-Fi networks in Philadelphia just became much simpler with the City's  Philly Free Wi-Fi Finder tool. The Wi-Fi Finder features an up-to-date map and list of locations with free City Wi-Fi and computer access. Using the tool, you can search by zip code or by location to see what's… continue reading Find Free Public Internet Access With the Philly Free Wi-Fi Finder

By written by Bridget G.    April 14, 2025    1  

• Community
• Library Resources

Join us on Saturday, April 12, 2025 , for the Third Annual printPHILLY! Print Fair . Organized by the Philadelphia Print Consortium, printPHILLY! celebrates the diversity and richness of Philadelphia’s printmaking community. This one-day fair is FREE and open to the public from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Parkway Central Library… continue reading The Third Annual printPHILLY! Fair Moves to Parkway Central Library!

By written by Laura S.    April 8, 2025    1  

• Art
• Events at the Library
• Parkway Central
• Printmaking
• Print and Picture Collection

National Library Week is a time to celebrate the many ways libraries bring people together, spark imagination, and support lifelong learning. The celebration began in 1958 to acknowledge the role library services and staff play in our communities. National Library Week falls between April 6–12 this year. The Free Library is an anchor of… continue reading Why We Love the Free Library

By written by Anthony T.    April 8, 2025    1  

• Free Library Staff
• National Library Week

What draws people to the library? Everything! From books and digital resources to job assistance and creative programming, libraries are essential to thriving communities.  National Library Week , April 6–12, 2025, is a time to celebrate the many ways libraries bring people together, spark imagination, and support lifelong learning. At… continue reading Happy National Library Week!

By written by Administrator    April 7, 2025    1  

• ALA
• Libraries in the News
• National Library Week
• Library Resources
• Free Library Announcements

On this page, we will have roof and ceiling repair updates on the Richmond Library every two weeks until the library is reopened. The estimated date for the library’s reopening is summer 2025. April 4, 2025 - Progress has been moving swiftly forward. The clay tiles are now being installed on the roof ridges, as the photo on the right… continue reading Richmond Library Construction Updates

By written by Mark G.    April 4, 2025    5  

• Libraries in the News

Note: This blog post uses identity-first language which is preferred by the autistic self-advocacy movement. "Autistic" is capitalized to represent the community, while "autism" is kept lowercase to represent the neurological development pattern itself. Autism Acceptance Month was started in 2011 by Paula Durbin Westby as a… continue reading Enjoy Autistic Authors This Autism Acceptance Month

By written by Shelley R.    April 4, 2025   

• Recommendations
• Catalog
• Autism
• New Titles

The XI International Poetry Festival in Philadelphia, part of the XIX Palabra en el Mundo International Poetry Festival, will bring together renowned poets from Latin America and the United States on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 , in celebration of Spanish Language Day . This special evening, titled A Voice for Peace, Concord, and Harmony , honors… continue reading Poetry for Peace: The XI International Poetry Festival at PhillyCAM

By written by Mary Marques    April 3, 2025    3  

• Community Events
• Languages
• Poetry
• Writing
• Virtual Programs

The Free Library Workplace Department provides programming and resources to help you through your job search or career transition. Here is a collection of resources from the Free Library and beyond for job-seeking support.   Federal Employee Transition Workshops at the Free Library Join fellow federal workers for a workshop aimed at… continue reading Resources for Displaced Federal Workers and Job Seekers

By written by Sandy M.    April 1, 2025   

• Events at the Library
• Workplace
• Business Resource and Innovation Center
• Job Seekers
• Virtual Programs

April is Autism Acceptance Month and the Art Department is highlighting Autistic artists from our collection. Each of these books is available for loan using your Free Library card . Just place a hold on the item or drop into the Art Department to retrieve the book!   George Widener: Secret Universe IV American artist George Widener (born… continue reading Highlighting Autistic Artists in the Art Department's Collection

By written by Natasha S.    April 1, 2025   

• Art
• Artists Books
• Recommendations
• Catalog
• Autism

Philly Career Launch sessions will take place in April and May at various library and community locations throughout Philadelphia. Have you experienced job disruption over the past few years? Are you stuck in a low-paying job or want a better employment situation? Here’s your chance to take hold of your future. Join us for a Philly Career… continue reading Join Philly Career Launch for Our Career Exploration Workshops

By written by Administrator    March 31, 2025   

• Events at the Library
• Careers
• Neighborhood Libraries
• Job Seekers
• Philly Career Launch

March 31 is International Transgender Day of Visibility, celebrating its 16th year. In 2009, Rachel Crandall-Crocker  decided to create a day to celebrate living transgender people as a positive counterpart to Transgender Day of Remembrance — a day honoring the dead. Affectionately referred to as "TDOV" (pronounced… continue reading Celebrating Transgender Day of Visibility

By written by Shelley R.    March 28, 2025   

• Holidays
• LGBTQ
• Recommendations
• Catalog

There are many new titles for all ages to explore this spring at the Free Library of Philadelphia! Young Children (up to 2nd Grade) Jollof Day by Bernard Mensah Early in the morning while the sun is still rising, a young boy wakes his father for something special — it's Jollof Day! With clanging pots and pans, lots of chopped tomatoes… continue reading New Titles Coming to the Free Library in April

By written by Rachel F.    March 27, 2025    2  

• Recommendations
• Catalog
• Monthly New Titles
• New Titles

The Music Special Collections Department at the Free Library of Philadelphia holds three collections of music materials: the Edwin A. Fleisher Orchestral Music Collection , the Sheet Music Collection , and the Drinker Choral Collection  established by Henry and Sophie Drinker. A selection of Sophie Drinker’s books and papers are on… continue reading Rediscovering Sophie Drinker: A Pioneer in Women’s Music History

By written by Claire L.    March 18, 2025   

• Fleisher Collection
• Music
• Parkway Central
• Women's History Month
• Special Collections

Join us at Parkway Central Library for a special storytime series celebrating the many languages of Philadelphia! Each storytime in this series will be bilingual, highlighting different languages spoken in the city . These storytimes are intended for children aged six and under and their caregivers. They will be held in Montgomery… continue reading Languages of Philadelphia: A Bilingual Family Storytime Series

By written by Bridget G.    March 14, 2025    1  

• Events at the Library
• Family Programs
• Languages
• Parkway Central
• Storytime

The  Free Library Board of Trustees  will be holding its third meeting of FY25 on Friday, March 21, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. The meeting will be held in person virtually on Zoom. View the upcoming meeting agenda.   To access the meeting: Join via Zoom with the following link: https://tinyurl.com/bpa2sx6y Passcode:… continue reading Free Library Board of Trustees Public Meeting on Friday, March 21 at 8:00 a.m.

By written by Administrator    March 14, 2025   

• Board of Trustees

Philadelphia is now home to more than 20 rarely seen marker drawings by novelist Kurt Vonnegut  thanks to the efforts of local art collector, Heather Rose. Kurt Vonnegut’s artwork, like his writing, invites us to reflect on the human condition with acerbic satire and penetrating depth. His visual art, characterized by its simple yet… continue reading Now on Display: Kurt Vonnegut Jr. As a Visual Artist

By written by Administrator    March 14, 2025   

• Exhibitions
• Art
• Events at the Library
• Parkway Central
• Literature

Learning a new language doesn't have to feel like a chore! The Free Library recently partnered with Lingopie — a language-learning platform that combines thousands of real TV shows and movies with built-in tools that turn streaming entertainment into fun language lessons.  Lingopie currently offers content in Spanish,… continue reading Learn a New Language While Watching TV With Lingopie

By written by Tyler S.    March 12, 2025    2  

• Databases
• Languages
• Television
• Film
• Library Resources

Questions about Medicare? Unsure about your benefits? Turning 65 soon? Attend  Medicare Mondays  to learn more about your options and find the best plan for you! Medicare Benefits Advisor Courtney Bell will be on hand at Parkway Central Library 's Senior Services Department to answer your questions about Medicare Advantage,… continue reading Discover Your Options With Medicare Mondays

By written by Bridget G.    March 6, 2025   

• Events at the Library
• Central Senior Services
• Healthcare
• Parkway Central
• Seniors

The Free Library system comprises 54 neighborhood libraries throughout the city, many named after celebrated Philadelphians. While the branches have become household names to their respective patron bases, some remain in the dark about who exactly their local library is honoring, and why. In honor of Women’s History Month, find… continue reading The Influential Women Behind These Philadelphia Library Names

By written by Bridget G.    February 28, 2025    9  

• Neighborhood Libraries
• Women's History Month
• History of Philadelphia

Get ready for an exciting adventure as we bring the magic of storytelling to life at our Family Bilingual Spanish/English Storytime ! As part of the Languages of Philadelphia series, this special event celebrates bilingualism, cultural diversity, and the power of stories to connect us across borders. When: Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at 10:30 a.m.… continue reading Bilingual Spanish Storytime for Families: A Journey to Colombia

By written by Mary Marques    February 26, 2025   

• Events at the Library
• Childrens Programs
• Family Programs
• Languages
• Storytime