We at the Free Library love celebrating monthly themes, especially when they tie in to our resources! September – in addition to being National Library Card Sign-Up Month – is Self-Improvement Month, and it got us thinking about the steps you might take on your self-improvement journey with a little help from the Free Library!

Here are just a few examples:

Learn a new skill
Beginning just this month, the Free Library is pleased to offer free access to Lynda.com to anyone with a library card. Lynda.com is an online training and learning tool for business, software, technology, and creative skills. Offering over 10,000 training and development courses taught by industry experts, Lynda.com offers tutorials in five languages. You will find courses and training videos on everything from web design to media production, management to entrepreneurship, Photoshop to guitar, and much more. Make your goal a reality with Lynda.com and the Free Library!

Eat right
The Free Library's Culinary Literacy Center – launched in 2014 to revolutionize the way Philadelphians think about food, nutrition, and literacy – offers a variety of workshops and classes focused on healthy eating, as well as tips to becoming more comfortable around the kitchen and when dealing with recipes and measurements. Find something that jumps out at you, and get cooking!

Get in shape
Did you know the Free Library offers exercise classes? That’s right, from yoga to Tai Chi, there’s a class for you at a neighborhood library location! The Free Library also partners with Indego to offer free 90-minute instructional classes for those wishing to start bicycling safely in Philadelphia. Rather work out in the comfort and privacy of your own home? Don’t fret! A library card gives you access to a plethora of exercise books and workout tapes to borrow - just browse our catalog!

Organize your finances
Whether you want to grow your small business or invest more wisely, our Business Resource & Innovation Center (BRIC) has the tools you need to succeed! Attend a class or chat with a friendly librarian to get the guidance you need.
 

Cut clutter
Drowning in junk? Take charge and get organized with these books and resources on clutter, organization, time management, and what to do with unwanted possessions.

Take control of your health
Did you know that the South Philadelphia Library, located at 1700 S. Broad Street, is part of the Community Health and Literacy Center, comprised of the Free Library, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), the City of Philadelphia’s Health Center 2, and the DiSilvestro Recreation Center? There, Free Library customers can access the system’s newest items available for lending – electronic blood pressure monitors and food scales! The Free Library also offers disease prevention programs, meditation workshops, flu shot clinics, Medicare information sessions, and many more health-minded events at neighborhood library locations across the city!

To learn more about other ways the Free Library can help you become your best self, visit our website at freelibrary.org!