Three upcoming new books, coming out in three consecutive months, will focus on the subject of the workings of the human brain. Helen Thomson, a freelance science journalist, tells the stories of nine extraordinary people from around the world in her new book, Unthinkable . Thomson, whose background is in neuroscience, was fascinated… continue reading Wrap Your Head Around These Books About the Brain
By written by Ai Leng N. March 23, 2018 1
For the fourth year in a row, the Free Library of Philadelphia will be hosting our very own Comic Con ! If you’re not sure what a “comic con” is, just imagine all of the amazing nerdy things you love balled up into one amazing event, with your favorite artists and people who love the same things you love, with the same… continue reading Free Library of Comic Con Returns to Parkway Central Library on May 12, 2018!
By written by Kris L. March 22, 2018
It's the first day of spring ... well, at least according to the calendar. Look outside? Winter still has its grip on much of the U.S., especially here on the east coast . Nevertheless, spring has sprung, and with it, the cleaning season has begun! Luckily, the Free Library’s got resources to help put the spring back in your step… continue reading Spring Cleaning in the Middle of a Winter Snowstorm
By written by Peter SM March 20, 2018
Author/illustrator Maria Van Lieshout has a series of books aptly called Big Kid Power . Drawing from her own experience as a mother, the books are meant to help caregivers and children reach important milestones together: giving up pacifiers, using the potty, and learning how to deal with frustration (and those terrible tantrums.) At the end… continue reading Picture Book Highlights | "I'm a Big Kid Now!" Series
By written by Monica C. March 19, 2018
William Penn was a dreamer. Like many attracted to the New World, he was a member of a persecuted religious minority—the Quakers. But unlike the Puritans and Catholics who founded religious states of their own, Penn envisioned a utopia where all would live in peace and prosperity while worshiping God as they chose. He believed that a mix… continue reading A History Minute: The 1844 Nativist Riots in Philadelphia
By written by Sally F. March 16, 2018
Did you know the Free Library has trained mental health professionals on site at Parkway Central Library to help patrons who are in need of social services and other referrals? Because of all the great work being done, and in honor of National Social Work Month in March, we took a few moments to catch up with Michael Rabb, one of our onsite… continue reading Spotlight on Michael Rabb for National Social Work Month
By written by Autumn M. March 15, 2018 6
If you are reading this on March 14 at 1:59 p.m., then it must be Pi Day (Pi at 5 decimal places = 3.14159, natch!) This annual celebration of the mathematical constant π (Pi), or in its easiest understood numeric equivalent, 3.14, was started in 1988 by physicist Larry Shaw at San Francisco's Exploratorium Museum to commemorate the… continue reading Pi Day: Stephen Hawking Travels to Infinity
By written by Peter SM March 14, 2018
The end of another phenomenal One Book, One Philadelphia season is upon us. We have spent eight inspired weeks reading, discussing, watching, creating, playing, and enjoying. The 16th season of this shared reading endeavor has included writing workshops, live music, discussions on mental health and gentrification, and cooking… continue reading #OneBookWednesday: Our Season Comes to a Close
By written by Julie B. March 14, 2018
Brenda Jackson was the first African-American author to make the New York Times Best Seller list in the Romance series category. Publisher’s Weekly has called her "a master" and USA Today has described her as "the indomitable Brenda Jackson." Most recently, Ms. Jackson has published her 120th book. Hear her discuss her… continue reading The Indomitable Romance Fiction of Brenda Jackson
By written by Kim B. March 13, 2018 1
This February kids at Eastwick Library had lots of fun celebrating Black History Month , as black history took center stage. Children and parents browsed through our book displays and biographies section to find many great books on African Americans! Our outstanding LEAP team helped a lot of students with computer research, posters, and school… continue reading Reflecting on Black History Month at Eastwick Library
By written by Amy H. March 12, 2018
March brings us many things—weather that is all over the place, early spring flowers and feelings, and inevitably, St. Patrick’s Day. It's my understanding that St. Patrick's Day in Ireland is actually a pretty subdued religious holiday, which sounds nice considering that sometimes it's celebrated in Philadelphia…… continue reading Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with some Irish YA Lit!
By written by Rachel F. March 12, 2018
Daylight Saving Time , abbreviated DST, begins again this Sunday, March 11 at 2:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, when we will set our clocks forward one hour and gain more sunlight in the evenings. With most of our electrical gadgets and devices nowadays, setting the time is a built in function, but here is some interesting trivia about Daylight… continue reading Friday Five: Daylight Saving Time Springs Ahead This Sunday
By written by Christina P. March 9, 2018
2018 marks the 38th time little golden statues have been awarded to films of a certain competence... and no, I'm not talking about the Oscars—I'm referring to the Razzies ! The awards, which consist of gold spray-painted raspberries atop reels of film and boast a cost of $4.97 each, are given out to the best of the worst in… continue reading Best of the Worst in Film: The 2018 Razzie Awards
By written by Peter SM March 9, 2018 1
Now on view at the Rosenbach, Of Two Minds: Creative Couples in Art & History showcases the creations of romantic couples who inspired, instructed, or even assisted one another in making art or knowledge. In honor of Women's History Month this March, we shine the spotlight on two remarkable women who were artists,… continue reading Violet Oakley and Edith Emerson: Painters and Partners
By written by Sara D. March 8, 2018
In Jacqueline Woodson’s books, cooking traces the roots and routes of families and memories. The Historical Society of Pennsylvania (HSP) joined with the Free Library’s Culinary Literacy Center this week to celebrate the historical flavors of these roots and routes. Patrick Glennon, communications officer at HSP, took the time to… continue reading #OneBookWednesday: The Many Flavors of One Book
By written by Julie B. March 8, 2018
At long last, Hoopla , our popular source for streaming television and movies (as well as graphic novels , ebooks , music , and audiobooks ) is now available to use on Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, and Android TV! View the following video tutorials below to add Hoopla to your digital media player of choice. For written instructions, visit… continue reading Now Showing: Hoopla on the Big(er) Screen!
By written by Jamie W. March 6, 2018 2
Every Monday at the Falls of Schuylkill Library around 4:15 p.m., our Children’s Department welcomes two special visitors. Wally and Orchid, while there to hear some stories and make new friends, are not your regular storytime attendees—they are both trained therapy dogs! They visit the library to help our school-age readers become… continue reading Therapy Dogs Encourage Reading at Neighborhood Libraries!
By written by Meredith M. March 5, 2018 6
March is National Nutrition Month . Here are 7 Healthy Tips to put your best fork forward... Include a variety of healthy foods in your diet, from all of the food groups on a regular basis. Eat more fruits and vegetables . Be mindful of portion sizes . Limit added sugar and salt . Use MyPlate as a guide. Use good food safety practices… continue reading 7 Tips to a Healthy National Nutrition Month
By written by Katie D. March 5, 2018 10
Another year, another Academy Awards. This Sunday, March 4 marks the 90th(!) Oscars ceremony, sure to have plenty of pomp , pageantry , and now more than ever, politics . Some will tune in for the glamour , some for the gossip . Some will throw parties , while others may try to win it all and make a quick buck in an office pool. Oh yeah, and… continue reading Oscars 2018: From Book to Screen and Back Again
By written by Peter SM March 2, 2018
Through May, the Teen Center is partnering with the Philly Slam League to host its 8th season at Parkway Central Library . The program will draw hundreds of teens and their supporters from week to week to host a friendly and supportive poetry competition. Teen poets from 22 area high schools will perform under the guidance of teacher… continue reading Teen Central hosts the Philly Slam League for Poetry!
By written by Kris L. March 2, 2018
