Literary Tourism: Philadelphia
BookRiot
See, Philadelphia is home to a number of awesome indie bookshops, an incredible library system, a handful of book publishers, some great authors, an awesome community of literary journals, and plenty of historic locations worth visiting. Let’s talk about the Free Library of Philadelphia for a moment. While it might not be as large a library system as say, New York City, we’re still pretty enormous, with over FIFTY BRANCHES. FIFTY, you guys.

Free Library President talks modern libraries, opening new branches
Phillyvoice.com
When the Free Library of Philadelphia secured that whopping $25 million grant from the William Penn Foundation in September, the general feeling was a sense of "Mission Accomplished" -- Finally, a library got a huge grant. But while $25 million isn't pocket change, it's also not hitting the ceiling for what a massive network like Free Library could actually use.

Philadelphia’s Head Librarian Honored as Best in the Business
CBS Philly
The Philadelphia Free Library has expanded its roles both as neighborhood resource center and citywide literacy force, and this month its president is getting national attention as the Library Journal’s “Librarian of the Year.”

From reading to community
Thenotebook.org
In Philadelphia, that effort [for grade-level reading] is now backed by an ambitious, new “READ! by 4th” campaign, a local collaboration of over 50 organizations, including the School District and the Free Library of Philadelphia, that launched last summer with the goal of helping all 4th graders reach proficiency by 2020. (READ stands for “Ready, Engaged, Able and Determined.)

Who’s involved in the Read! By 4^th campaign
Thenotebook.org
The Free Library, the coordinating organization for READ! by 4th, provides access to information and promotes lifelong learning for all ages. President and director Siobhan Reardon said that it was natural for the library to become involved with an early literacy campaign because building skills and a love of reading in children are central to its mission “No other organization does it better than us because we get involved in the lives of families and babies from the outset,” said Reardon.

Philadelphia by the Book
Everettpotter.com
It is said that Poe may have been inspired for his most famous poem by seeing “Grip,” a stuffed raven belonging to Charles Dickens, who met Poe when he visited Philadelphia in 1842.  “Grip” now resides in the Rare Book Department of the Free Library of Philadelphia, along with the only known copy of The Raven in Poe’s own hand, and the manuscripts for Annabel Lee and The Murders in the Rue Morgue.

LitBits all over
Philly.com
Features several FLP-related events taking place in the spring, including The Orphan Trains Documentary Screening and Discussion; One Book, One Philadelphia grand finale; poetry potluck at Falls of the Schuylkill Library; T.C. Boyle author event; Monday Poets series with Kasey Jueds and Teresa Leo; Freeman Dyson author event; and Bloomsday reading of Ulysses at the Rosenbach.

#PhillyFive Things to Do: Jan. 29, 2015
Philly.com
For sonic history: Former drummer of The Ramones, Marky Ramone will stop by the Free Library of Philadelphia’s Central Branch (1901 Vine St.) to chat with Inquirer music critic Dan Deluca and to sign copies of his memoir “Punk Rock Blitzkrieg” at 7:30 p.m.

#PhillyFive Things to Do: Jan. 27, 2015
Philly.com
For families: The Cat’s Pajamas put on an interactive show of music, dance, puppetry — all in the name of spreading a good message. Catch them at the Free Library of Philadelphia Central Branch.

#PhillyFive Things to Do: Jan. 26, 2015
Philly.com
Before you plop yourself in front of the TV to watch some football on Sunday, get schooled in healthy snack recipes courtesy of a registered dietician and chef. The crash course in guilt-free munching takes place at 6 p.m. at the Free Library of Philadelphia Central Branch.

#PhillyFive Things to Do: Jan. 27, 2015
Philly.com
The Raven Society of the Free Library of Philadelphia hosts a birthday celebration for their main man Edgar Allan Poe at City Tap House Logan Square (2 Logan Square). Other than Poe trivia, expect a dramatic reading of “The Raven” and drink specials.

Spring Arts—Museums: An abundance of shows at region’s museums
Philly.com
Features several FLP-related exhibitions taking place in the spring, including Framing Fraktur shows at the Library and partnering institutions and Everything is Going On Brilliantly: Oscar Wilde in Philadelphia at the Rosenbach.

February is a great month to meet authors
Burlington County Times
Soprano Deborah Voigt will discuss her memoir, “Call Me Debbie: True Confessions of a Down to Earth Diva. Tickets $15 with discount for students. Free Library of Philadelphia (will appear 2/2)

Go ‘Wilde’ for Opera Philadelphia’s ‘Oscar’
Philly.com
Opening Friday, Jan. 23 at the Rosenbach Museum and Library (2008 Delancey Pl.) is “Everything is Going on Brilliantly: Oscar Wilde and Philadelphia,” an exhibit dedicated to the man of the hour, including the author’s materials and even some unpublished works. The talks and history Wilde had in Philadelphia in 1882 are the inspiration for the exhibit, on view until Sunday, April 26. Join the curators for an informational talk on Thursday, Feb. 5 at 6 p.m. Wilde is paired with another literary giant, Walt Whitman, during A Taste of Opera at 7 p.m. at the Free Library of Philadelphia Central. On Monday, Jan. 26, Opera Philadelphia Emerging Artists will perform excerpts from “Oscar” as well as musical interpretations from Wilde and Whitman.

Singing Praises for the Great American Songbook
Philly.com
"There isn't a single song on the album Gaga did last year with Tony Bennett ["Cheek to Cheek"] that was written after 1947," mused Yagoda, in a chat also prompted by his speaking engagements tomorrow at the Free Library of Philadelphia.

Urbana Free Library: 140 years of community services
The Daily Illini
In fact, this shift from paid subscription libraries to public entities was occurring throughout the country in that time period. This is shown in other institutions with “free” in their name. “You’ll still see that in other libraries in the U.S.: the Philadelphia Free Library, the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore,” said Kathy Wicks, the library’s associate director.

Newly Discovered Works by Oscar Wilde on Exhibit at the Rosenbach
FineBooksMagazine.com
The Rosenbach of the Free Library of Philadelphia is thrilled to announce the upcoming display of newly discovered works by Oscar Wilde (1854‐1900), one of the world’s most influential and prominent cultural personalities. The materials include a notebook from around 1880, with unrecorded versions of early poems and with drawings by the inimitable Irish-born writer; a hand-corrected typescript of the play Salome; and a draft of part of his poem “The Ballad of Reading Gaol” (1898), with previously unknown variations. These will be displayed for the first time in the exhibition Everything is Going On Brilliantly: Oscar Wilde and Philadelphia, opening at the Rosenbach on January 23. Housed in the Free Library of Philadelphia’s Rare Book Department, the materials were catalogued and available to the public, however they were unpublished and their significance was unknown. Their importance to the Wilde canon was discovered by Rosenbach consulting curators and Wilde scholars Mark Samuels Lasner and Margaret D. Stetz while conducting research for the exhibition.

Broken Windows Part Two: Local Library Opens Doors, Some Want Them Closed
Spiritnewspapers.com
On a cold day outside the Ramonita de Rodriguez Library at 6th Street and Girard Avenue, a group of more than a dozen men and women wait for the black steel gates to open. When they finally do, most of them file in and take a seat in the open area between the stacks of books. Members of the group quickly occupy the six available computers nearby. Five of those are logged onto Facebook. One or two folks grab a book or magazine, the rest converse quietly in the seating area. The people are resident clients from the Goldman Clinic on a supervised visit. "They come in a couple times a week," said Lisa Chianese-Lopez, the Free Library of Philadelphia branch manager.

Library Lady Gives Back by Assisting Others (page 9)
Southwest Globe Times Newspaper
Chatting on the corner on a warm fall day with Rhonda Washington, one is bound to get toots and hollers. After all, Washington is “the library lady.” “Lots of people recognize me from the library,” she explains with a smile. “I get that on the trolley or when I’m walking down the street.” Having worked for the Free Library of Philadelphia for 16 years, primarily in branches in West Philly and most recently at Paschalville at 70^th and Woodland, Washington has become a familiar fixture and a well-known public servant.

Stallone visits his former home in the Northeast/Rock n roll & Ramone
Philly.com
Ramone, who will discuss his memoir Punk Rock Blitzkrieg: My Life as Ramone tonight at the Free Library of Philadelphia, put it upon himself to defuse the contentious relationship between bandmates Johnny and Joey Ramone, who went decades without speaking to one another.

This is how Philly tech will influence the mayoral election
Technical.ly Philly
FLP is a partner for the Philly Tech Mayoral Forum on Technology, Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Questionnaire sent to tech community leaders including this to respond to: I support prioritizing computing centers and digital literacy training in the City of Philadelphia budget for modern workforce development, leveraging the Free Library of Philadelphia, Community College of Philadelphia and other existing stakeholders to help develop a more inclusive and diverse innovation ecosystem.

Marky Ramone’s ‘Punk Rock Blitzkrieg’: A smartly observed picture of a band and an era
Philly.com
Now, Marky is telling the band's story - as well as the tale of his own pre-Ramones years in the 1970s CBGB scene - in his memoir Punk Rock Blitzkrieg: My Life as a Ramone, written with Rich Herschlag. He'll read from it at the Free Library on Thursday night.

Book review: Marky Ramone
City Paper
Not only does the drummer/entrepreneur talk colorfully about his start in heavy metal and punk rock with the likes of Richard Hell and Wayne County and, of course, his role as the fifth (or sixth, or whatever) Ramone. He also offers a frank, poignant discussion about the coldness between each Ramones' member (nobody but Marky visited Joey Ramone in the hospital while he lay dying) as well as spilling the beans on his own problems with alcohol. (lists FLP event)

Event Pick: Marky Ramone Book Signing
City Paper
Marky Ramone is doing a book signing for his new book Punk Rock Blitzkrieg: My Life as a Ramone, just released on Jan. 13.

Calendar: Jan. 28-Feb. 4
Philadelphia Weekly
The longtime drummer for watershed punk band The Ramones celebrates his iconic “blitzkrieg” drumming style and his personal struggles with the release of his new book, My Life as a Ramone. Opera soprano Deborah Voigt takes readers behind the curtains in her new book, Call Me Debbie: True Confessions of a Down-To-Earth Diva.

Exclusive Book Excerpt: Marky Ramone Sets the Record Straight in ‘Punk Rock Blitzkrieg: My Life as a Ramone’ Memoir
Billboard
Marky Ramone had one intention for his new memoir, Punk Rock Blitzkrieg: My Life as a Ramone -- to set the record straight. "It was time to quell all the exaggerations from all the other books and tell what really happened," Ramone (nee Marc Bell), the sole surviving Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-inducted member of the punk rock pioneers, tells Billboard about Punk Rock Blitzkrieg, which he spent five years writing and will be published on Jan. 13. (lists Free Library stop on book tour)

My interview with Marky Ramone about his new book ‘Punk Rock Blitzrieg: My Life as a Ramone’
WMMR
Audio interview with Marky Ramone—mentions FLP event

Marky Ramone Launches Promo Tour for New Memoir, ‘Punk Rock Blitzkrieg’ Tonight in Las Vegas
ABC News Radio
…the punk-rock pioneer has lined up a promotional tour to support the book that kicks off tonight at the Barnes & Noble store at Rainbow Promenade in Las Vegas. (Also lists all tour dates, including at FLP)

Deborah Voigt’s Memoir Hits Bookstores Tomorrow!
Operagasm
Call Me Debbie nevertheless represents one of the most electrifying performances of her distinguished career. In this strikingly honest memoir, the soprano recounts – with characteristic candor, charisma, and wit – her harrowing and ultimately successful private battles to overcome the addictions and self-destructive tendencies that nearly cut short her life. (lists book tour including FLP stop)

Radio Times in Review: Anand Giridhardas, Junot Diaz, Charlie Gracie
WHYY
We’ll also hear Marty’s conversation with novelist JUNOT DÍAZ. He joined us in 2008 to discuss his novel The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, which was recently declared to be the best novel of the century in a study by the BBC. (Diaz appeared 10/2012)

The Philadelphia Museum of Art Showcases German Fraktur Art in its Newest Exhibition, Opening Sunday, February 1
Uwishunu.com
Beyond the exhibition at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, fraktur will also be on display this March in three additional exhibitions — two at the Free Library of Philadelphia and one at Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library — and a conference, all of which will tell a more complete story of fraktur.