The Edwin A. Fleisher Collection of Orchestral Music is excited to announce our new partnership with Play on Philly (POP). We are particularly enthusiastic about this alliance as POP echoes Edwin Fleisher’s original concept in 1909 of assisting young Philadelphians with their musical education with his pioneering Symphony Club. POP's… continue reading First Fleisher Collection Scholarship Awarded to Philadelphia Composer and Pianist, Rhyuhn Green

By written by Gillian R.    October 7, 2024    1  

• Awards
• Fleisher Collection
• Music
• Special Collections
• Free Library Announcements

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at the 6th Latin American Book Fair Kickoff Party ! Join us at the Heim Center for Cultural and Civic Engagement on Friday, October 11, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. for an exciting morning where literature, art, and culture unite to honor the vibrant Latino community. This year’s event proudly features… continue reading 6th Latin American Book Fair Kickoff: A Celebration of Heritage, Resilience, and Culture

By written by Mary Marques    October 7, 2024   

• Community Events
• Family Programs
• Music
• Poetry
• Immigrant Heritage

Since  Parkway Central Library  opened in 1927, patrons have had free and open access to its rich and unique collections, expanding services, and professionally trained and welcoming staff. The robust programs and collections available are impressive, but some patrons may not be familiar with all of them. To promote these… continue reading Department Highlights: Education, Philosophy, and Religion

By written by Administrator    October 3, 2024   

• Departments
• School
• Religion
• Self Help

On  Friday, October 4 at 2:00 p.m. , the Social Science and History Department will host Antje Ulrike Mattheus , the author of a unique book on Philadelphia history.  Cresheim Farm: An American History of Conquest, Privilege, and Struggles for Freedom and Equality , which Mattheus refers to as "political… continue reading Author of Unique Local History to Speak at the Free Library

By written by Ben R.    October 1, 2024   

• Events at the Library
• History
• Author Events
• History of Philadelphia
• Interview

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month. As with many learning disabilities, there can be a lot of confusion and misunderstanding around what dyslexia is and how best to support learners who are struggling to read. Folks at the library are here to help students and their caregivers explore books and resources to better understand what is going… continue reading October is Dyslexia Awareness Month

By written by Rachel R.    October 1, 2024   

• Literacy
• Digital Media
• Audiobooks
• Students
• Accessibility

The mission of the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation is to "provide resources and advocacy to advance the mission of The Free Library while stewarding and promoting our special collections for the benefit of all Philadelphians and beyond." If you follow us on social media, you know about the recent Artnet News article… continue reading Discovering Rare Books and Special Collections at the Free Library

By written by Free Library Foundation    October 1, 2024   

• Parkway Central
• Rare Book Department
• Support
• Nonprofit
• Special Collections

It’s Spooky Season, and the Free Library of Philadelphia celebrates Halloween all month long! There are fun, Halloween-themed activities coming to several of our branches, and we’ve highlighted some of our favorites below:   Enjoy the Rare Book Department’s Edgar Allen Poe collection with “Nevermore… continue reading Celebrate the Spookiest Month of the Year with the Free Library

By written by Anthony T.    September 30, 2024   

• Events at the Library
• Holidays
• Rare Book Department
• Edgar Allan Poe
• Crafts and Hobbies

As the fundraising arm of the Free Library of Philadelphia, the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation is excited to announce the launch of freelibraryfoundation.org — our new standalone website! This new online platform will operate separately from the existing Free Library website to better serve our collective mission and will… continue reading Announcing the Launch of a Brand New Website for the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation

By written by Administrator    September 30, 2024    12  

• Website
• Support
• Nonprofit
• Free Library Announcements

Philly Career Launch Career Exploration Workshop sessions will take place in September, October, and November at various Free Library locations  and community hubs 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… continue reading Join Philly Career Launch for Our Career Exploration Series

By written by Annette M.    September 30, 2024    9  

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

Are you looking for a fun Halloween activity to get you in the spirit of the season?  Mask On, Mask Off: Papier-Mâché Workshop is a fun and creative Halloween project that will let you unleash your artistic flair. Join us at Parkway Central Library for this exciting opportunity to explore mask-making through a three-part… continue reading Mask On, Mask Off: Papier-Mâché Workshop

By written by Brianna V.    September 30, 2024   

• Events at the Library
• Holidays
• Parkway Central
• Crafts and Hobbies

These new titles are coming to the Free Library in October!   Young Children (up to 2nd Grade) The Ofrenda That We Built by Jolene Gutiérrez and Shaian Gutiérrez; illustrated by Gabby Zapata The candles are lit, the food is prepared, and the sweet smell of copal floats in the air on Día de Muertos. Built with love and… continue reading New Titles Coming to the Free Library in October

By written by Rachel F.    September 30, 2024   

• Recommendations
• Catalog
• Monthly New Titles
• New Titles

The Free Library will reopen for Saturday hours effective Saturday, September 28 . We are pleased to share that libraries across the City will reopen for Saturday hours effective Saturday, September 28. The following libraries will open on this date: Charles Santore Library  | 932 South 7th Street (19147) | 215-686-1766 Fox Chase… continue reading Six-Day Service Returns to Select Free Library Branches

By written by Administrator    September 26, 2024   

• Community
• Neighborhood Libraries
• Free Library Announcements

La biblioteca pública de Filadelfia se complace en anunciar una nueva serie de tres partes presentada en español para impulsar su búsqueda de empleo: Conceptos básicos de redacción de currículums, Estrategias de entrevistas activas, y Aplicaciones de búsqueda de empleo y consejos de palabras… continue reading Nueva Serie de Tres Partes Para Impulsar su Búsqueda de Empleo

By written by Lu F.    September 26, 2024    2  

• Careers
• Languages
• Job Seekers
• Languages and Learning
• Virtual Programs

This Welcoming Week , the Free Library hosted a special event called A Taste of Edible Alphabet on Monday, September 16, 2024. The evening program, arranged by Lindsay Southworth, Senior Program Manager of Adult Education, was open to anyone interested in learning more about the Edible Alphabet program.  Edible Alphabet is the… continue reading A Taste of Edible Alphabet: Learn English Through Cooking

By written by Meredith M.    September 25, 2024   

• Events at the Library
• Culinary Literacy
• Cooking
• Languages and Learning
• Edible Alphabet

The Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation is excited to share an important update regarding our Strategic Plan for the remainder of 2024 and beyond! After an incredibly competitive Request for Proposal process involving 17 proposals, four rounds, and four finalists, we are pleased to announce that we have selected The ROZ Group to… continue reading A Strategic Plan and Partnership to Propel the Free Library Foundation Forward

By written by Free Library Foundation    September 23, 2024    1  

• Support
• Nonprofit
• Free Library Announcements

College and test prep workshops , hosted by  Field Teen Center  in partnership with  The Alexander Advantage , will return to the Free Library for the 2024–2025 school year . This free series is for high school students up to age 18 and will be held at Parkway Central Library as well as virtually. Virtual sessions will… continue reading Free SAT and College Prep Workshops 2024–2025

By written by Yona Y.    September 23, 2024    1  

• Events at the Library
• College Prep
• Parkway Central
• Teens
• Students

While "books usually are challenged with the best intentions," for example, to shield children from "difficult ideas and information," the American Library Association (ALA) notes that censorship itself can be quite harmful. Per the ALA, Banned Books Week (September 22–28, 2024) "brings together the… continue reading The Importance of Reading Banned Books

By written by Free Library Foundation    September 23, 2024   

• Banned Books
• Support
• Recommendations
• Literacy
• Catalog

September 22–28 is Banned Books Week 2024, and this year's theme is "Freed Between the Lines." This important observance began in 1982 in response to a surge in book challenges in libraries, schools, and bookstores with the aim of bringing together the literary and education communities under… continue reading Freed Between the Lines: It's Banned Books Week!

By written by Bridget G.    September 23, 2024   

• Banned Books
• Holidays
• Recommendations
• Catalog
• Politics

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Social Science and History Department  at Parkway Central Library is excited to host three programs covering different aspects of the Hispanic-American experience. The first program comes on September 26, when University of Pennsylvania historian William Sturkey will discuss his latest book,… continue reading Hispanic Heritage Month in the Social Science and History Department

By written by Ben R.    September 19, 2024   

• Events at the Library
• Parkway Central
• History
• Author Events
• Immigrant Heritage

In light of the upcoming United States Presidential Election and to conclude the "Power Up!” series , the Free Library of Philadelphia will present the 2024 Philly Civics Fair and Speakers Panel  at Parkway Central Library  on Saturday, September 28, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Over two dozen local organizations including… continue reading Get Involved at the 2024 Philly Civics Fair

By written by Anthony T.    September 18, 2024    1  

• Events at the Library
• Parkway Central
• Politics
• Community
• Voting and Elections