Today is the birthday of celebrated former First Lady and citizen of the world, Michelle Obama . A political figure in her own right, Michelle Obama is well known for her healthy eating campaign, Lets Move! The campaign targeted childhood obesity by focusing on nutrition and creating home-grown solutions to battle barriers of nutritional food… continue reading Michelle Obama Grows a Garden
By written by Gennifer R. January 17, 2020
I’m excited and intrigued by the upcoming release of the new Doctor Dolittle movie starring Robert Downey, Jr. — Dolittle ... The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle was one of the first novels I ever read as a young boy growing up in the bucolic lakeshore countryside of Upstate New York. The series of children’s novels written by Hugh… continue reading The Doctor is In: Doctor Dolittle Revisited
By written by Jeff B. January 17, 2020
Grab your honey pot, ‘cause it’s National Winnie the Pooh Day this upcoming Saturday, January 18! Author Alan Alexander Milne ’s birthday is also January 18, and for good reason, there is a holiday made in his stead. So how old is Winnie the Pooh, really? Gifted to Milne’s son, Christopher Robin, on August 21, 1920,… continue reading There's a Rumbly in My Tumbly
By written by Gennifer R. January 16, 2020
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a strongly celebrated day in Philadelphia. People of all ages come together to support their communities and uplift the values of MLK’s civil rights leadership during this nationally recognized Day of Service. To celebrate, volunteer, sign up for a project, or step into a workshop that promotes long-term… continue reading MLK Day of Service | When the Youth Lead
By written by Gennifer R. January 15, 2020
It's almost time for the One Book, One Philadelphia kickoff! On January 22 at 7:30 p.m. at Parkway Central Library we will officially launch our 18th season of One Book, One Philadelphia . This event will include a reading and conversation with There There author Tommy Orange and 6ABC’s Tamala Edwards. This is not Tommy… continue reading #OneBookWednesday | It's Almost Time for the One Book, One Philadelphia Kickoff!
By written by Hannah B. January 15, 2020 1
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stands with one arm stretched high above his head, waving to the crowd, with a broad smile on his face, as the legendary Philadelphia civil rights attorney and firebrand Cecil B. Moore stands to one side in the background and King's long-time friend and mentor, Rev. Ralph Abernathy stands to the… continue reading Reflecting on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Visit to Philadelphia: A Personal Account
By written by Mharlyn M. January 14, 2020 2
In preparation for a special Free Library event taking place this Wednesday, January 15 at Lovett Library , today we'll be looking at the history and architecture of Mt. Airy. The neighborhood has a fascinating history, along with many fabulous houses, structures, and landmarks. Who designed and built these houses, and created what we know… continue reading Neighborhood Beginnings: 11 Things You Should Know About Mt. Airy
By written by Administrator January 13, 2020 6
For Hollywood, the time spanning November through March is known as "film awards season" . Between the People's Choice Awards , Golden Globe Awards , the Oscars , the Golden Raspberry Awards , as well as everyone's best-of and year-end lists, there is no shortage of movies to discuss. It's also during this time… continue reading Newest Additions to the National Film Registry
By written by Peter SM January 10, 2020
The Free Library cares about digital inclusion, equity, and access, and has expanded beyond the walls of our 54 neighborhood libraries to partner with area nonprofits, providing free access to technology and programming to increase the digital skills of community members in areas that need it most. In anticipation of announcing our next Free… continue reading Digital Inclusion, Equity, and Access | Mercy Neighborhood Ministries Hot Spot
By written by Lu F. January 9, 2020
On Wednesday, January 22, Tommy Orange will join us in Philadelphia for the One Book, One Philadelphia Kickoff , which launches eight weeks of more than 130 events exploring the themes in his novel There There . Below are some featured events that you definitely won’t want to miss: On Wednesday, January 29, the Rosenbach Museum will host… continue reading #OneBookWednesday | One Book 2020 Event Highlights
By written by Brittanie S. January 8, 2020
As we head into the roaring '20s, let’s look forward to the Spring 2020 Free Library Author Events schedule , highlight a few of our guests, and offer up some other important details... Tickets go on sale to the public today, Wednesday, January 8 at 10:00 a.m. As per our usual M.O., our schedule is replete with a vast variety of… continue reading Spring 2020 Author Events Preview
By written by Author Events January 8, 2020
Philadelphia is a wellspring of inspiring young people, with our innovative communities and the creative spirit of the city bringing out the best in many of our young leaders. Today, we would like to give back! Have you been thinking about the significance of our youth in Philadelphia? How can we celebrate their efforts and honor their bright… continue reading Y is for Youth
By written by Gennifer R. January 7, 2020
The United States has counted its population every 10 years since 1790, and in 2020 we will do so again with a Census . Why does the country undertake this challenging count? Well, it's mandated by the U.S. Constitution (Article 1, Section 2) AND it helps determine how BILLIONS of dollars in federal funds are allocated to states, cities,… continue reading Census 2020, Your Community, and You: Information and Employment Opportunities
By written by Jenn D. January 6, 2020 5
Are you passionate about serving diverse populations in an urban public library setting? Are you a librarian with a Master's Degree? If so, please consider these community-focused librarian positions housed within a large, municipal library system consisting of 54 neighborhood libraries . Each location has its own unique vibe and connection… continue reading We are HIRING Librarians!
By written by Jenn D. January 3, 2020 1
Edible Alphabet is a free English language learning program offered to adults by the Free Library's Culinary Literacy Center . The mission of the program is to teach English language and literacy skills through hands-on cooking and library projects. Students learn vocabulary and grammar, as well as practice listening, speaking, reading, and… continue reading Food Insecurity, English Language Learning, and Community Conversations in North Philadelphia
By written by Lindsay S. January 3, 2020
A new year and decade has arrived; time to take stock of where we are and begin anew. May we suggest some inspirational children’s titles, and a new book by Martha Stewart to help you organize your home and your life? No? Then how about ignoring it all with escapist fiction or a movie? Read below for this month's new recommended… continue reading New Titles Coming to the Free Library in January!
By written by Paul A. January 2, 2020
For over 50 years, Mae’s Millinery (definition: "the art of hat-making") was a fixture in Philadelphia, a destination for women from up and down the East Coast in search of the perfect hat. Now Mae’s is once more a destination as part of the National Museum of African American History and Culture’s permanent… continue reading A History Minute: Who was Mae Reeves and Why is She in the Smithsonian?
By written by Administrator December 26, 2019 5
"The wound that was made when white people came and took all that they took has never healed. An unattended wound gets infected. Becomes a new kind of wound like the history of what actually happened became a new kind of history. All these stories that we haven’t been telling all this time, that we haven’t been listening to,… continue reading #OneBookWednesday | Intergenerational Trauma
By written by Hannah B. December 18, 2019
The Free Library is excited to announce that Trapeta Mayson has been appointed the 2020-2021 Philadelphia Poet Laureate . A committee of poets, educators, and arts-organization professionals selected Trapeta from a wildly impressive group of applicants. Her two-year term begins on January 1, 2020. As Philadelphia’s fifth Poet Laureate,… continue reading A New Poet Laureate for Philadelphia...
By written by Andrew N. December 12, 2019 2
Never having been much of a history buff, and possessing a wholly striking inability to memorize dates, my cultivation of Philadelphia history has been mostly through passive absorption. I have lived in Philadelphia long enough to have passable knowledge of the "founding fathers," the Liberty Bell, Eastern State Penitentiary, and the… continue reading #OneBookWednesday | Regional Lenape History
By written by Hannah B. December 11, 2019
