It’s Welcoming Week! Every year, from September 13–22, organizations around the country come together to connect and reaffirm their dedication to inclusivity with neighbors of all backgrounds. The City of Philadelphia is an officially designated Certified Welcoming Place, meaning the City is dedicated to policies and programs reflecting our values and commitment to immigrant inclusion. 

The Free Library is a welcoming and inclusive space for all Philadelphians all year round. Languages and Learning is committed to serving individual adult learners in a welcoming, accessible environment. This fall, we are offering English classes in 12 different branches to meet the ongoing requests of our newly arrived neighbors. Looking to practice English in a more informal space? Join one of our English conversation groups, happening both online and in person at 10 locations. 

There’s more beyond classes at the Free Library for New Americans! Check out our recently updated New Americans page. You’ll find a variety of listings with current resources to assist newcomers as they settle in the city and links to many incredible organizations working with immigrants around the city. Attend a program at the Welcoming Center or take a self-guided tour created specially for New Americans. 

The New Americans booklists can help you find a bilingual book to read and what branches offer larger world language collections. Don’t see anything at your neighborhood library? With your library card, you can put a book on hold and have it sent to any Free Library branch! You can use your library card to access any of our online resources, such as PressReader or homework help for learners of all ages. 

Do you need to learn where in the city you can find medical information and support? Our specially curated list of Health and Wellness resources are available in a number of languages. The Philadelphia Department of Public Health offers services to all residents regardless of their first language. 

If you can’t find what you need at the Free Library, the Office of Immigrant Affairs is another excellent resource for New Americans. Their office provides assistance with the Language Access Plan, giving everyone a right to City services in their own language, and connections with organizations offering a number of services for newly arrived Philadelphians. 

The Free Library strives to ensure all Philadelphians are acknowledged, welcomed, and valued, no matter where they are from or what language they speak. We hope you will take advantage of our many resources for New Americans and join us in celebrating this Welcoming Week!

Languages and Learning is the Free Library’s center for adult education, supporting the individual literacy and learning goals of Philadelphia's adults.