Librarians in the Music Department and the New Americans Committee invite you to celebrate the unique cultural heritage of Philadelphia’s immigrant communities with the New Americans Spring Concert Series . In April, May, and June, we’ll offer three free pop-up concerts in the Grand Lobby of the Parkway Central Library , each… continue reading New Americans Spring Concert Series
By written by Perry G. April 12, 2016
On a chilly Sunday afternoon, about 25 people—kids, college students, seniors—all packed into the cozy Gatehouse at Philadelphia’s famed Laurel Hill Cemetery for a discussion of “Laurel Hill’s Legendary Ladies of the Civil War Era,” a program presented in partnership with our very own One Book, One… continue reading #OneBookWednesday: Civil War Ladies of Philadelphia’s Own Laurel Hill
By written by Alix G. March 30, 2016
One Book, One Philadelphia teams up every year for programming with the University of Pennsylvania, and every year they knock it out of the park for International Women’s Day. This year’s program focused on investing in women in agriculture, a theme we saw in Cold Mountain with Ada and Ruby. The two women in the novel worked the… continue reading #OneBookWednesday: International Women’s Day 2016: Global Perspectives on Women, Food Security, and Agriculture
By written by Cynthia Ann S. March 23, 2016
It's been a few days, but it's still hard to process that David Bowie has left us . Newspapers, television news broadcasts, the internet as a whole—and more than likely—your social media feed have all been filled with obituaries , remembrances , and mourning for the otherworldly persona known as David Bowie. Whether he was… continue reading David Bowie Has Left Us
By written by Peter SM January 14, 2016
Face it. It's only been two weeks, but your New Year's resolution is done for, dusty with cobwebs, lingering dimly in the weeks past like an like an old yearbook picture you'd rather forget. No sweat. Mine too. So why not ditch it and start over? It's never too late. Visit our Digital Learning page and take a look at Mango… continue reading Featured Resource: Mango Languages
By written by Jamie W. January 12, 2016 4
As we count down to the premiere of the next chapter in the Star Wars saga, the Free Library has you covered no matter what age you are! Need to catch up? We have Star Wars: A New Hope , The Empire Strikes Back , Return of the Jedi , Episode I: Phantom Menace (I know, but it’s part of the cannon now and we need to deal with it),… continue reading In a Library (Not So) Far, Far Away… Star Wars: The Force Awakens Countdown Has Begun!
By written by Rachel F. December 11, 2015
Edible Alphabet is an English-as-a-Second-Language program offered by the Free Library's Culinary Literacy Center. The mission is twofold: to teach participants how to cook nutritious meals and to teach English language skills through hands-on education. Food is universal—it cuts across cultural differences, uniting people in all… continue reading Edible Alphabet: Learning English and Connecting to Culture Through Cooking
By written by Liz A. December 9, 2015 20
The Free Library continually seeks ways to provide the best health information and resources for our users. One of our exciting ventures is the newly established Health Corners in three neighborhood libraries in West Philadelphia. These dedicated areas at Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional , Kingsessing , and Paschalville… continue reading Check Out Our New Health Corners!
By written by Autumn M. December 8, 2015
I will admit when I'm asked what I enjoy reading, my typical response is “science-fiction, fantasy, regency romance, street-lit, and quirky fiction novels.” I rarely mention the topic I'm about to discuss because it usually requires an explanation, which is subsequently followed by snickers—but since it's… continue reading #FLPNoShameNovember: Fan Fiction, Where Fans Rule
By written by Camille T. November 30, 2015
My name is Peter and I LOVE bad movies. I say—the worse, the better! Schlocky scripts, rubber monsters, awful acting, melodramatic bio pics, big budget special fx-laden flops—I'll gladly (attempt to) watch 'em all. While others may get excited about the Oscar race towards the end of each year, I'm anxiously awaiting the… continue reading #FLPNoShameNovember: Nothing Better Than A Bad Movie
By written by Peter SM November 27, 2015 2
I used to watch a lot of true crime shows. My roster? Fatal Vows , Nightmare Next Door , Snapped , Homicide Hunter , and Stalke d, which told the stories of real crimes and how they were solved— if they were solved. Some are skeptical of such shows, but I liked feeling the chills up my spine while I was snuggled in my bed, and I… continue reading #FLPNoShameNovember, in Cold Blood
By written by Kalela W. November 13, 2015 1
There aren’t many books whose covers I am ashamed to bare to the world as I read. I read a lot of self-help ( Gretchen Rubin ), pop culture ( Chuck Klosterman ), and anything I am drawn to when I walk around the Free Library. I also love to read collections of essays, like those of Sarah Vowell and Sloane Crosley —both of whom have… continue reading #FLPNoShameNovember: PEOPLE Magazine
By written by Kate C. November 12, 2015 1
I’m never really embarrassed of the books I read, but that changed when I decided to tackle a book that’s been sitting on my “to read” list for about four years. You’d think I’d be proud of this feat, but instead I hid the book’s title when I was reading it in public. And when I went to type it into… continue reading I Love ... #FLPNoShameNovember
By written by Samantha M. November 10, 2015 1
Ever since Nancy Drew roared into my first-grade life in her little blue roadster, I’ve been hooked on mystery books. And not just any mystery books—I’ve found myself particularly drawn to the paperback mysteries known as “cozies,” which means there’s little to no blood/sex/violence, and a whole lot of… continue reading A Cozy Yet Mysterious #FLPNoShameNovember
By written by Alix G. November 5, 2015 1
October 25 marked St. Crispin’s Day , a once-observed feast day, which is also claimed to be the day of the famed Battle of Agincourt—the great battle of Englishmen led by King Henry V against the much-greater-numbered French army. King Henry, in his pre-battle pep talk, rallies his men, saying And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er… continue reading Joining the “Happy Few”: A Mind Marathon of Shakespeare’s Complete Works
By written by Julie B. October 30, 2015
Sometimes you've got to take a test. It's a fact of life. Some of us struggle with tests while others breeze by, but we could all benefit from a little preparation. So before you decide whether to go it alone or ask a tutor to help you get ready for that SAT, AP, GED or other test, take a look at Learning Express… continue reading Featured Resource: Learning Express Library
By written by Jamie W. August 6, 2015 1
The Free Library is happy to announce that we've launched our new Online Catalog ! As we mentioned on the blog and throughout social media last week, our goal was to help make our catalog more user-friendly, encourage exploration, and offer better customer service throughout your online experience. With new features that include a… continue reading Introducing The Free Library's New Online Catalog!
By written by Peter SM June 24, 2015 3
Andrew Carnegie was born in 1835 and grew up poor in Scotland. When he was 12 years old his father moved the family to Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh, where young Andy got a job as a bobbin boy in a textile mill. He wanted to educate himself but he couldn't pay the $2 subscription for a local library, and he certainly… continue reading The Carnegie Libraries of the Free Library: Past, Present and Future
By written by Kim B. June 11, 2015 3
It's new comic book day across the United States today and you can flip through some new comics without even leaving your house to head down to your local comic shop. Hoopla , one of our most popular Digital Media resources here at Free Library, already boasts a catalog of more than 300,000 movies, TV shows, music albums, and audiobooks.… continue reading Hoopla Makes A Splash (Page), Now Offering Comic Book Downloads!
By written by Peter SM May 20, 2015 1
The Print and Picture Collection is pleased to announce PIX Open Call , our 2015 call for entries for juried two-person exhibitions. Area artists are invited to enter this open call, juried by photographer David Graham and printmaker Shelley Thorstensen. The deadline for application is June 5, 2015. We will have two Two Person Shows,… continue reading Now accepting entries for PIX Open Call
By written by Laura S. April 22, 2015
