“My child loves mysteries and solving riddles. What’s a good series?” Oh how I love this question. Mystery readers can be a difficult group to please. The books recommended have to have the right combination of elements – the author has to play fair and give the reader a chance to match wits with the detective; the book… continue reading #MysteryMonday: Children's Mysteries
By written by Chris B. May 1, 2017
In the spring of 1776 , the British began a blockade of American ports, throwing coastal shipping into disarray and sending many captains back to the more secure European routes. But a young French captain, Stephan Girard, saw an opportunity . He slipped up the Delaware River into Philadelphia on the eve of revolution and spent the next few… continue reading The Richest Man in America
By written by Administrator April 27, 2017
A baker browses through dozens of cake pans to plan confectionary creations of her wildest imagination. Meanwhile, a man chooses the perfect tie from more than 60 to wear to his graduation. Elsewhere, a musician slated to play a wedding gig picks out an acoustic guitar from a batch of 25 other instruments. Although it might seem like these… continue reading Focus On: Unique Lending
By written by Samantha M. April 26, 2017
A year ago we kicked off the Paschalville Partnership , a Free Library-led collaboration of 11 organizations working to transform services for job seekers in Southwest Philadelphia. This community experiences significant barriers to employment; the city has deemed the area a “service desert,” where the needs of the residents far… continue reading The Paschalville Partnership: Transforming Services for Job Seekers in Southwest Philadelphia
By written by Julie B. April 25, 2017
The NFL Draft is coming to Philadelphia! And it is happening on the front lawn of the Parkway Central Library —the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. But perhaps the American football craze isn’t your thing, in which case you may be feeling a little left out of the party. We’ve got you covered! While 200,000 fans will be checking out… continue reading NFL Draft Not Your Thing? Check Out These Worldly Alternative Footballs!
By written by Julie B. April 24, 2017
Wow, what a success that was! 2017 marked our third annual Free Library of Comic Con and it was our biggest yet! To all of you who came—Thank You! You are the reason we’re able to do great programs like Free Library of Comic Con that are fun for everyone and empowering to local artists, publishers, and performers. Without you and… continue reading Free Library of Comic Con 2017 Wrap-Up!
By written by J. Matthew C. April 19, 2017 1
Imagine this: Your friends, and your associates, and the people around you, and the environment that you live in, and the speakers around you, and the communicators around you are the poetry makers. If your mother tells you stories, she is a poetry maker. If your father says stories, he is a poetry maker. If your grandma tells you stories, she… continue reading There's Poetry Everywhere!
By written by Autumn M. April 12, 2017
Katherine Milhous (1894-1977) wore many hats in her time: a supervisor for the Federal Art Project ; an artist for the Pennsylvania Art Project (a subsidiary of the Federal Art Project, which itself was formed under the Work Projects Administration, or W. P. A. ); a book designer; and an author and illustrator. As an illustrator, Milhous… continue reading The Art of Katherine Milhous
By written by Chris B. April 7, 2017
This Women’s History Month , we’ve been reflecting on the women who came before us. This list is by no means exhaustive but showcases just a few of those who paved the way here at the Free Library of Philadelphia, and in many ways, broke the glass ceiling in terms of what was possible for women in the library world. Join us in… continue reading Dynamic Women of the Free Library
By written by Kate C. March 28, 2017 2
I admit it: I’ve developed a slight obsession with baking pies. It all started last spring, when I took a hands-on pie class at the Free Library’s Culinary Literacy Center with Holly Riccardi, a baker who runs Magpie , South Street’s "artisan pie boutique." Holly taught a fail-safe dough recipe for both sweet and… continue reading Pi(e) Day
By written by Samantha M. March 14, 2017
Note: The scheduled Saturday, March 18 Migrate to Discovery and Adventure event has been rescheduled to Saturday, April 1, due to inclement weather. While books, CDs, and DVDs are still among the Free Library’s most checked-out materials, we’re proud of the many non-traditional items our customers can borrow across the system, from… continue reading Experience Nature Close-Up with Our Birding Backpack Program!
By written by JoAnne W. March 13, 2017 9
The Eighth Wonder of the World roars, stomps, and swings his way into a new film this weekend with Kong: Skull Island , a modern-day retelling of the King Kong mythos and the second installment in a much larger planned cinematic MonsterVerse . Needless to say, my Saturday-Afternoon-Monster-Movie-Double-Creature-Feature-UHF-Watching Inner Child… continue reading Man vs. Monster? Kong is King!
By written by Peter SM March 10, 2017
Happy Women’s History Month ! All throughout the month of March, we’re joining in the nationwide celebration of the vital role of women throughout American history. We hope you’ll join us for one (or more!) of the following inspiring events across the Free Library system: Monday Poets Monday, March 6, 2017, 6:30 p.m. Free… continue reading Women’s History Month at the Free Library
By written by Kate C. March 3, 2017
You'll have to excuse me today, I'm a little tired after watching this weekend's wild awards ceremonies. And no, I don't mean The Oscars (although, #envelopegate would get my vote for "Best Dramedy"!). I'm referring to The Golden Rasberry Awards, or The Razzies as they are affectionately (and sarcastically)… continue reading Best of the Worst: The 2017 Razzie Awards
By written by Peter SM February 27, 2017
The Art Department of the Free Library of Philadelphia maintains a collection of artist files going back to the 19th century. Our artist files are folders that include article clippings, gallery announcements, artist statements, exhibition catalogs, and other ephemera related to artists and art subjects with a focus on the Philadelphia area.… continue reading Art Department Celebrates Black History Month with African American Artists from Philadelphia
By written by Alina J. February 23, 2017
Looking for something heartfelt and inspiring to read while supporting a worthy cause this Valentine's Day? Check out Love is Love , a 162-page graphic novel from IDW Publishing and DC Comics , honoring the victims, supporting the survivors, and celebrating the LGBTQ community affected by the senseless Pulse Nightclub tragedy in Orlando,… continue reading Love is Love
By written by Peter SM February 14, 2017
Emphasizing the diversity and individuality expressed on the Autism Spectrum was one of the main themes that came out of the One Book, One Philadelphia panel discussion hosted at the South Philadelphia Library last Wednesday entitled "Exploring Myths and Facts about the Spectrum." Author Mark Haddon deliberately avoids diagnosing his… continue reading #OneBookWednesday: Exploring Myths and Facts about the Autism Spectrum
By written by Will T. February 8, 2017
It’s February, cupid is dusting off his bow and arrow, and those chalky-but-delicious conversation hearts are lining supermarket shelves. With love already in the air, we thought it would be a great time to channel those lovey-dovey feelings and find out why you love your local library, whether it’s a Free Library location or… continue reading #LoveTheLibrary: What Do You Love About YOUR Local Library?
By written by Kate C. February 1, 2017 24
With a longstanding commitment to promoting new, noteworthy, and overlooked works, the Fleisher Collection of Orchestral Music has engaged in musical diplomacy as an integral part of its history. During the Great Depression, Edwin Fleisher, Collection curator Arthur Cohn, and head librarian Franklin H. Price were able to interest the… continue reading How the Fleisher Collection Engages in Musical Diplomacy with Cuba
By written by Gina B. January 31, 2017
On January 28th, we will celebrate the Year of the Rooster at the Free Library! We invite you to explore storytimes, cultural programs, and arts & crafts activities throughout Philadelphia . Chinese New Year is a fifteen-day celebration which starts on the new moon. On Chinese New Year, people participate in traditional activities such as:… continue reading Celebrate the Year of the Rooster at the Free Library!
By written by Jenny C. January 26, 2017
