It's National Hispanic Heritage Month! This mid-month celebration runs from September 15 to October 15 to include the Independence Days of Belize, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua — while also celebrating the myriad histories and contributions of Spanish, Mexican, Caribbean,… continue reading Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Cultural Events Around Philadelphia

By written by Bridget G.    September 18, 2024   

• Events at the Library
• Community Events
• Immigrant Heritage

The Free Library of Philadelphia is pleased to announce the 2024–25 Philadelphia Youth Poet Laureate : Malaya Ulan , a junior at Science Leadership Academy at Beeber! She was selected from a competitive pool of applicants by the Poet Laureate Governing Committee and will succeed Oyewumi Oyeniyi, who served as the 2023–24 Youth Poet… continue reading Introducing the 2024–25 Philadelphia Youth Poet Laureate

By written by Yona Y.    September 17, 2024   

• Teens
• Poetry
• Philadelphia Poet Laureate
• Free Library Announcements

It’s Welcoming Week ! Every year, from September 13–22, organizations around the country come together to connect and reaffirm their dedication to inclusivity with neighbors of all backgrounds. The City of Philadelphia is an officially designated Certified Welcoming Place , meaning the City is dedicated to policies and programs… continue reading Welcoming Week Resources for New Americans

By written by Meredith M.    September 17, 2024   

• Languages
• New Americans
• Library Resources
• Languages and Learning
• Immigrant Heritage

Our fall line up for Sundays on Stage is here, and it’s packed with old favorites and new acts. This season we will again host live, free performances on Saturdays in the Montgomery Auditorium in Parkway Central Library , and we will close the season with a return of The Nutcracker on Sunday, December 15.  Several familiar favorites… continue reading Saturdays on Stage: Dance, Sing, and Get Inspired This Fall!

By written by Kayla H.    September 16, 2024    2  

• Childrens Programs
• Family Programs
• Music
• Sundays on Stage
• Dance

The Free Library Board of Trustees will be holding its first meeting of FY25 on Friday, September 20, 2024 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. View the upcoming meeting agenda. To access the meeting: Join via Zoom Passcode: 716663 Or Join via telephone: 1-929-436-2866 Webinar ID: 824 2648 1759 Passcode: 716663 Public Comment at Board of Trustees… continue reading Free Library Board of Trustees Public Meeting on Friday, September 20 at 8:00 a.m.

By written by Administrator    September 16, 2024   

• Board of Trustees

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: Central Children's

By written by Naomi S.    September 16, 2024   

• Childrens Programs
• Parkway Central
• Childrens Books
• Departments
• Storytime

The Free Library of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Zoo are two of the City of Brotherly Love’s oldest and most respected institutions, so it’s only fitting that they are teaming up in the coming months to present Animal Tales at Charles L. Durham Library . One Thursday per month from October 2024 through April 2025, a… continue reading Join Charles Durham Library for Animal Tales from the Philadelphia Zoo!

By written by Anthony T.    September 16, 2024   

• Childrens Programs
• Family Programs
• Storytime
• Neighborhood Libraries
• Nature

School has started and the cooler weather is on its way! 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 Library | 501 Rhawn… continue reading Six-Day Service Starts Soon at Select Free Library Branches

By written by Administrator    September 13, 2024    2  

• Community
• Neighborhood Libraries
• Free Library Announcements

"Welcoming Week honors the contributions of immigrants and recognizes that our communities are stronger — and more prosperous — when we are welcoming." - Alain Joinville, Office of Immigrant Affairs According to Pew Trusts , 15% of Philadelphia residents moved here from another country. People move here from China,… continue reading Celebrate Welcoming Week 2024 with the Free Library

By written by Betsy M.    September 12, 2024   

• Events at the Library
• New Americans
• Library Resources
• Languages and Learning
• Immigrant Heritage

After a milestone 30th anniversary season, we are thrilled to announce the 2024–2025 Author Events series will kick off on September 11, brought to you by the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation! Upcoming Fall Author Series events at the Free Library include a long list of diverse, distinguished guests and esteemed authors, including:… continue reading Announcing the 2024–2025 Author Series

By written by Free Library Foundation    September 11, 2024   

• Events at the Library
• Parkway Central
• Author Events

The vibrant spirit of our community has been artfully captured as the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation proudly unveils new tote bags, designed with care and creativity by one of the Free Library's former interns, Margot Whipps.  In 2021, the exhibition  For the Greatest Number: The New Deal Revisited ,  curated by… continue reading From an Intern’s Design to Your Shoulder: New Tote Bags With a Purpose!

By written by Sophia A.    September 9, 2024    2  

• Support
• Back To School
• Nonprofit
• Interview

In 2023, KABOOM! , the nonprofit dedicated to ending playspace inequity, brought playful learning and literacy organizations together to co-create a Story Trail — an interactive trail with story panels like a book — with McPherson Square Library ’s community.  This week, the storyboards and accompanying game… continue reading McPherson Square Welcomes the Story Trail Project

By written by Tuesday C.    September 6, 2024   

• Childrens Programs
• Literacy
• Community
• Neighborhood Libraries

Math is all around us, and it’s never too early to introduce your little ones to basic math concepts. Babies and toddlers are naturally curious and can grasp foundational math ideas through play and everyday activities. By incorporating simple and fun math activities into your daily routine, you can help your child develop a love for math… continue reading Introducing Early Math Concepts to Your Baby or Toddler

By written by Kimberly G.    September 5, 2024   

• Early Literacy
• Read Baby Read

September is Civic Awareness Month — a time to engage with our community, learn more about our civic responsibilities, and participate in initiatives that make a difference. In honor of this month, the Free Library of Philadelphia is partnering with Temple University’s Dr. Aaron Smith, an Assistant Professor of Africology… continue reading Power Up! for Civic Awareness with the Free Library

By written by Brianna V.    September 3, 2024    2  

• Events at the Library
• Community Events
• Social Justice
• Politics
• Voting and Elections

The mission of The Free Library of Philadelphia is to "advance literacy, guide learning, and inspire curiosity." The mission of The Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation is to provide resources and advocacy to advance the Library’s mission while stewarding and promoting our special collections for the benefit of all… continue reading Accessing the Free Library: It All Starts with a Library Card!

By written by Free Library Foundation    September 3, 2024    5  

• Support
• Library Card
• Nonprofit
• Library Resources

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: Science and Wellness

By written by Erin A.    September 3, 2024    1  

• Parkway Central
• Departments
• Crafts and Hobbies
• Health
• Science and Wellness

As summer begins to wind down and another autumn is on the horizon, your friends at the Free Library have some new titles to share with you! Young Children (up to 2nd Grade) You’ve Got This! by Lindsay Bonilla; illustrated by Keisha Morris Learning to ride a bike, performing in a recital, facing a mistake — these moments can make… continue reading New Titles Coming to the Free Library in September

By written by Rachel F.    August 28, 2024   

• Recommendations
• Catalog
• Monthly New Titles
• New Titles

Being a librarian means connecting communities with the information they seek and need, and those needs are always changing. That’s why the Free Library of Philadelphia ensures librarians are kept up-to-date with best practices and resources. The books below are professional development titles written by and for librarians.  Have you… continue reading New Library Science Books in the Free Library's Catalog

By written by Betsy M.    August 27, 2024   

• Careers
• Recommendations
• Catalog
• Adult Learning
• Languages and Learning

The Literature Department ’s Monday Poets series is one of the longest-running programs for adults at the Free Library. Join us in celebrating the 30th Anniversary season of Monday Poets which runs from September to April. This year’s theme is Sankofa (SAHN-koh-fah), a Twi word from the Akan Tribe of Ghana loosely implying that… continue reading Monday Poets Celebrates 30th Anniversary Season with Sankofa

By written by Andrea L.    August 22, 2024    1  

• Events at the Library
• Poetry
• Community
• Neighborhood Libraries

Photography means "to draw with light." It is derived from the Greek words  photos , meaning "light," and graphos , meaning "drawing." We celebrate World Photography Day every year on August 19, the day in 1839 when the French Academy of Sciences announced the patent for the daguerreotype to the… continue reading Celebrating World Photography Day

By written by Karen K.    August 21, 2024    1  

• Art
• Events at the Library
• Print and Picture Collection
• Photography
• Special Collections