February is American Heart Month , so it’s a great time to learn about making heart-healthy choices every day and to use your neighborhood library to help improve your heart health. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States—but it is also one of the most preventable. What you can do to… continue reading Heart Health at the Free Library
By written by Katie D. February 5, 2018
Back in September, the city of Philadelphia unveiled the first new statue at City Hall since 1923 and the first of an African American on any city-owned public property – that of 19th-century civil rights activist, scholar, athlete, and community leader Octavius V. Catto . I attended the unveiling that day and recorded a live video for… continue reading #BlackHistoryMonth: Celebrating The Life Of Octavius Catto
By written by Kate C. February 5, 2018 2
Here at the Free Library, we often have parents ask us, "How can I help my child learn to read?" Of course, we know that sharing books with children helps to develop a love of reading, but beyond that, there are lots of things you can do to support your child's language and literacy development. We are happy to announce that the… continue reading Ready4K and Vroom: Early Learning Tips for Young Children
By written by Sarah S. February 2, 2018 2
Nearly 100 years ago today, on February 2, 1922, bookstore-maven-cum-publisher Sylvia Beach stood anxiously waiting on the platform at the Gare de Lyon train station in Paris for the arrival of some very precious cargo on its way from Dijon: two copies of the first edition of James Joyce’s just-printed novel Ulysses . Joyce, ever… continue reading Happy Birthday, James Joyce … and Ulysses!
By written by Alix G. February 2, 2018 2
February may be the month of celebrating Presidents’ birthdays and romantic love, but our new title suggestions mostly give you a break from all of that. Try a children’s book on looking at similarities rather than differences or one on important and influential African Americans; a teen memoir from an Iranian immigrant; or adult… continue reading New Titles Coming to the Free Library in February!
By written by Paul A. February 1, 2018
On Saturday, March 3, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. , Parkway Central Library welcomes back the United Way and the Campaign for Working Families for our second annual Free Tax Prep & Resource Fair . Community organizations will be available to connect tax filers to local, state, and national resources that help individuals and families to… continue reading Free Tax Preparation and Resource Fair
By written by Adam F. February 1, 2018 2
Saturday, February 3, 2018, 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Leonard Bernstein (1918–1990). Overture to Candide (1957) Gustav Mahler (1860–1911). “Ich atmet einen Lindenduft,” from Rückert-Lieder (1901) Mahler . Adagietto from Symphony No. 5 (1902) Ned Rorem (b. 1923). Symphony No. 3 (1958) Bernstein . Presto barbaro,… continue reading Discoveries from the Fleisher Collection: Bernstein’s 100th
By written by Fleisher Collection January 31, 2018 1
Last week, One Book, One Philadelphia joined a session of The Best Day of My Life So Far , which brings together older Philadelphians to write and share their stories. Younger folks are invited to listen, with the goal of getting conversation moving between generations. At the session, participants talked a little about memory and Jacqueline… continue reading #OneBookWednesday: The Best Stories – A Day at Philadelphia’s Senior Center
By written by Brittanie S. January 31, 2018
Black History Month begins this week, and we have a packed February full of programming for all ages here at the Free Library. Neighborhood libraries across the city are hosting everything from craft workshops and quizzos to performances, film screenings, and discussions highlighting the struggles, successes, and contributions of African… continue reading Black History Month at the Free Library
By written by Julie B. January 30, 2018 1
The literary world lost a genre-defying icon last week with the passing of Ursula K. Le Guin . The author of scores of children's books, short stories, poetry, and essays, her voice—and her outlook on the power of stories in general—was both beloved by and a guidepost for writers and readers alike. Below, some of our librarians… continue reading Free Library Staff Remember Ursula K. Le Guin
By written by Administrator January 30, 2018
The eagle-eyed amongst you may have noticed that streaming movies from Kanopy , as well as digital audiobooks from Hoopla and RBDigital , now appear in the Free Library catalog . Audiobook junkies are surely weeping tears of joy right now, but the rest of us can be excused for asking what all the fuss is about. The fuss,… continue reading All About Audiobooks (and eBooks, Streaming Video, and More): Now Searchable Directly Through Our Online Catalog!
By written by Jamie W. January 29, 2018 1
The Free Library of Philadelphia's Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (LBPH) will soon have a new home. Beginning Wednesday, February 21, this library will be located at 1500 Spring Garden Street, Suite 230 . The new location can be reached via the Broad Street Line (Spring Garden stop) and the 2, 4, 16, and 43 bus lines. Its… continue reading The Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Is Moving!
By written by Julie B. January 29, 2018 2
Excited for the release of the movie adaptation of A Wrinkle in Time this spring? I know I am! Can’t wait for Black Panther ? Yes! Obviously you should read the books first, but did you know that a ton of other Young Adult books are headed to screens both big and small in 2018? Definitely get a leg up on your friends and be able to… continue reading Coming Soon from the Pages of a Book to a Screen Near You: YA Movies and Television Shows
By written by Rachel F. January 26, 2018
Often when we think of "urgent care" we think about the medical drop-in facilities that have opened up in recent years, bridging the gap between primary-care offices and emergency rooms. But what does urgent care mean in a more societal context? What does it mean for women of color dealing with internal and external trauma, triggers,… continue reading #OneBookWednesday: Spotlight on The Colored Girls Museum
By written by Kamilah C. January 24, 2018
If you’re anything like us, you’re still flying high after the Eagles’ big win over the Vikings on Sunday in the NFC Championship Game. Now we’ve got two weeks to celebrate and prepare for the Big Game on Sunday, February 4 against the New England Patriots . Let us help you get ready! Borrow a shiny football-shaped cake… continue reading Fly, Eagles, Fly! Get Ready for the Big Game with the Free Library!
By written by Kate C. January 23, 2018
Greetings from Frozen Philadelphia! After a snowy beginning to the new year and a lot of single-digit temperatures, we're bundled up and back in the office. And as we shiver on our way to and from the museum, we're thinking about some of our favorite authors, who shivered during an unseasonably cold summer 202 years ago.… continue reading Winter Reflections on the Year Without a Summer
By written by Sara D. January 22, 2018 1
209 years ago today, one of the most peculiar poets and apparitional authors to ever hold a pen was born: Edgar Allan Poe . His macabre and gothic tales have fascinated and entertained readers for years, so it's no surprise that his work has made frightening fodder for pop culture . Some of these are direct adaptations of Poe's work,… continue reading Friday Five: Edgar Allan Poe-inspired Films
By written by Peter SM January 19, 2018 1
The Free Library Passport Acceptance Facility, normally located at Northeast Regional Library, is popping up at Tacony Library . The Northeast Regional Library will be closed through January 28, 2018 due to a building emergency; the Tacony Passport Office will be open January 19 through at least January 28, 2018. The Tacony Library Passport… continue reading Free Library Passport Acceptance Facility at Tacony Library!
By written by Victoria G. January 19, 2018 1
When I go for a walk or ride on a bus through the city streets as night begins to fall, I can’t help but look at windows. As I pass each townhouse or apartment, I get a glimpse of a different world: a kitchen, a living-room, part of a bookshelf, a painting, a cat, plants, families. It’s fun to imagine different homes and lives,… continue reading Picture Book Highlights | Windows
By written by Monica C. January 18, 2018
Tonight marks the official beginning of One Book season! Join us for an evening of reading, conversation, and performance at Parkway Central Library to kick off eight inspired weeks of programming across the city. Tonight's event is free and open to the public! Following a reading from featured selection Another Brooklyn , author Jacqueline… continue reading #OneBookWednesday: Join Us at Tonight’s Season Kickoff
By written by Julie B. January 17, 2018
