We have loved spending our summer with you, and now we’re just as excited to get back to school! The start of a new school year can look different for everyone. Most students are returning to the classroom, while some may continue with virtual learning or get into a homeschooling routine. The Free Library is here to help with that transition. Whether you have questions, need digital resources and support, or are looking for something fun to ease your mind, we’ve got you covered:

School Supplies

There are still a few backpack and school supply giveaway events to come, including one at the Cobbs Creek Library on August 24! For those who can’t make it to an event, families looking for additional supplies can reach out to local organizations or search for partner organizations in your area through Cradles to Crayons.

Online Information

Students of the Philadelphia School District will begin in-person classes on Monday, August 29! For information regarding student registration, academic calendars, chromebook maintenance, immunizations, Covid protocols, home education, and other important resources for the school year to come, please visit philasd.org.

Free Internet for Families

Now approved through summer of 2023, PHLConnectED offers eligible K–12 student households free access to reliable internet service. Call 211 to get started with the application process or visit PHLConnectED online to learn more.

Summer of Wonder and Fall into Reading

Take on the Back to School challenge, running until August 28! This quick and fun activity challenge offers helpful tips, tricks, and fun activities to get you and your family into routines and habits that will spark a fantastic new school year! And there’s still time to help us make Summer of Wonder history! Log your reading online to contribute to our virtual record for Most Community Minutes Ever Read. On September 1, we’ll begin a whole new challenge for Fall. Stay tuned to take on NASA, legendary creatures, and graphic novel writing! Sign up online to join in the fun.

Literacy Enrichment After School Program (LEAP)

For those of you who are new to LEAP, this long-standing Library program offers afterschool homework help and literacy enrichment activities at your local Library Monday through Thursday from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. and Fridays from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. LEAP is a drop-in program, and it is absolutely free to attend! The Free Library will have After-School Leaders in all neighborhood libraries this year. If you are interested in working as an After-School Leader with LEAP, apply here.

Homework Help Online

Homework Help Online through Tutor.com connects library patrons with a live tutor! Available seven days a week from 10:00 a.m. to midnight in both English and Spanish, this free service offers help with everything from grade school math problems to high school essay writing and GED prep. All you need to access Homework Help Online is your library card number and pin. You can find this and other resources in our Online Learning Portal.

Preschool Learning

Get great reading and activity suggestions from our teams at Read, Baby, Read and Literacy in Early Learning. Visit the Free Library event calendar to find storytimes and more for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. Find a high-quality, free Pre-K in your neighborhood. Explore free pregnancy, baby, and toddler support and resources from the Department of Public Health.

Just for Fun

Need some tunes to study or dance to, or some entertainment to unwind with? Check out our Digital Media Portal to discover a host of fabulous free resources for music, ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, podcasts, and more! Try Overdrive Kids to find ebooks and audiobooks just for young readers, or Tumble Books for animated talking picture books. We also feature OverDrive en español. Be sure to check our events calendar regularly to find fun events for all ages at your neighborhood library!

We at Youth Services wish you a fantastic school year! What are you most looking forward to? Let us know in the comments!