Blog Articles
On the occasion of the Barnes Foundation ’s forthcoming Solo Series Concert: Cowell, Cage, Crumb: Pioneers of the Avant-Garde Piano , on November 8, 2017, Edwin A. Fleisher Collection of… continue reading Cowell, Cage, and Crumb: The Three C’s You Have to Know
By written by Fleisher Collection October 17, 2017
The Philadelphia Colored Directory , a handbook of religious, social, political, professional, business activities of the Negroes of Philadelphia, was compiled by R. (Richard) R. (Robert) Wright,… continue reading The Philadelphia Colored Directory of 1910 Recently Scanned and Available for Download in Our Digital Collections
By written by Renee G. October 6, 2017 5
We've spent the past week here on the blog celebrating Banned Books and the f READ om to read whatever you want—banned, challenged, or not. If there's one thing possibly more… continue reading From Banned to the Big Screen: Banned Book Adaptations
By written by Peter SM September 29, 2017
Banned books—more like the best books , am I right? Some of the most frequently challenged books (at least according to the American Library Association’s list of Frequently… continue reading Young Adult (Best!) Banned Books
By written by Rachel F. September 26, 2017
It has been more than 150 years since Octavius Catto may have slipped on a sack overcoat that hung by his front door, pushed a well-worn felt pocket hat over his parted hair, stepped out into the… continue reading Following Octavius V. Catto’s Footsteps
By written by Shahadah A. September 25, 2017 13
On Sept. 26, 2017, the fence will come down and a new statue will be unveiled: the first new City Hall statue since 1923 and the first of an African American on any city-owned public… continue reading A History Minute: Octavius V. Catto - Philadelphia's Forgotten Freedom Fighter
By written by Administrator September 22, 2017
Over three previous concert seasons at the Parkway Central Library , veteran and up-and-coming Philly musicians have explored some questions. What has the Great Migration meant to music in… continue reading Mysterious Travelers Tunes Up for Its Fourth Season of Free Jazz Shows with the Philadelphia Jazz Project!
By written by Perry G. September 13, 2017
In the autumn of 2016, we were tasked with a fascinating challenge: create a bold and welcoming exhibition that would discuss the history of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. On the surface, this… continue reading Corridor of Culture: 100 Years of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway
By written by Laura S. September 8, 2017
We didn’t think we could love poetry any more than we already do here at the Free Library … but we were wrong. The City of Philadelphia Poet Laureate program —which has… continue reading The Free Library Welcomes the Philadelphia Poet Laureate Program
By written by Julie B. September 7, 2017 2
The Free Library of Philadelphia is pleased to announce that beginning today we will offer free access to Lynda.com with your library card ! Lynda.com is an online training and learning tool… continue reading Lynda.com: A New Online Learning Experience from the Free Library
By written by Jamie W. September 5, 2017 47
As the opening date for Frankenstein & Dracula approaches, we've been revisiting some of the strange ( and occasionally salacious ) stories from the lives of the Romantic… continue reading Mary Shelley's Indestructible Heart
By written by Sara D. August 30, 2017 1
The South Philadelphia Library has added a new collection: the Health Lending Library . The first items in this new collection are electronic blood pressure monitors and food scales. These items… continue reading Health Lending Library Now Available in South Philadelphia
By written by Katie D. August 28, 2017 2
2 + 2 = 4 The Earth is round. Frankenstein is the name of the doctor, not the monster. These are all indisputable facts. Unfortunately, we are currently living in some bizarro, post-truth world… continue reading Library Resources to Help Spot Fake News
By written by Peter SM August 25, 2017
by Emma Seeley The Free Library of Philadelphia recently opened a new office, the Center for Public Life (CPL), to coordinate cultural and civic programs for adults across the library system. At… continue reading A Conversation with Andrew Nurkin, Head of Our New Center for Public Life (CPL)
By written by Administrator August 24, 2017 3
A little over a week ago, on the same day that a hate-fueled gathering was taking place in Charlottesville, Virginia, a group of teenagers was gathering at a small library in Philadelphia to talk… continue reading Second Annual Social Justice Symposium Wrap Up
By written by Erin H. August 23, 2017 1
As adults, it’s our job to help the children in our lives make sense of the world around them. After the events in Charlottesville this past weekend, and events around the country in recent… continue reading Resources for Responding to Hate
By written by Rachel F. August 17, 2017
by Annette Mattei Did you know that close to 30 percent of adults who visit the Free Library come here to look for jobs? Moreover, That’s according to a Pew survey conducted in 2012 , 40… continue reading Job Readiness Labs: Supporting Job Seekers in Southwest Philadelphia
By written by Administrator August 11, 2017 3
Almost 100 years before Ellis Island, Philadelphia established The Lazaretto Station. It became the point of entry for all ships and passengers arriving during the quarantine season of June… continue reading A History Minute: What is The Lazaretto?
By written by Administrator August 7, 2017 5
Zinio, our digital magazine service, is now RBdigital Magazines . The great selection of currnet newsstand magazines including the New Yorker , the Economist , Bon Appetit , National… continue reading Changes Coming for Zinio, Digital Magazines, and Digital Audiobooks
By written by Jamie W. August 4, 2017 1
This year, the Summer of Wonder program has teamed up with the Rosenbach Museum to offer family-friendly fun for the whole season! The Rosenbach is a quirky little place located near Rittenhouse… continue reading Free Rosenbach Museum Admission for Summer of Wonder Participants!
By written by Emilie P. July 28, 2017