It's time to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, which takes place this year from September 15 through October 15. We'd like to celebrate by highlighting the amazing work of Latinx authors and illustrators in recent picture books! There is so much to enjoy as you read these books about love, family, courage, and… continue reading Picture Book Highlights | 18 Great New Latinx Picture Books
By written by Monica C. September 14, 2022
Here in the United States, Grandparents Day is celebrated one week after Labor Day. And what a lovely day it is! Grandparents are caregivers, teachers, comrades in play, and a time machine to the past. They can offer time, attention, and be a source of unbound love to the generations that follow them. This year on September 11,… continue reading Picture Book Highlights | Grandparents Day
By written by Monica C. September 9, 2022
Opening September 22 and running through January 31, 2023 (extended from original closing date of December 31, 2022) at Parkway Central Library and South Philadelphia Library, Chronicling Resistance: The Exhibition and its companion programs reveal what eight local activists, cultural organizers, and artists unearthed when… continue reading Chronicling Resistance: The Exhibition
By written by Administrator September 1, 2022 4
August is National Black Business Month ! Philadelphia is home to a wide array of Black-owned businesses, from art galleries to restaurants and so much more. Just how many Black-owned businesses are there in Philadelphia? In 2019, Pew Charitable Trust’s State of the City report put the figure at 2.5% of all Philadelphia businesses .… continue reading August is National Black Business Month
By written by Claire L. August 18, 2022
Here's one more reason to love July: it's National Ice Cream Month! There's something special about having ice cream in the summer -- a cool, delicious, creamy treat for the hot days of the year. Here are some picture books to get you in the mood for an ice cream treat (not that you needed any encouragement, right?) Ice cream face… continue reading Picture Book Highlights | National Ice Cream Month
By written by Monica C. July 19, 2022
Summer is here, and along with the rising temperatures, the Summer of Wonder is heating up! In June, we kicked off Pride Month with a brand new Pride March right here in Philly, and we’re celebrating Pride with the Free Library all month long! June is also the time we honor Immigrant Heritage Month with the theme Looking Back to Move… continue reading Summer of Wonder is Heating Up!
By written by Emily S. June 21, 2022 3
This June, the Free Library is celebrating Philadelphia’s immigrant communities! June is Immigrant Heritage Month , a time when we celebrate the beauty and strength of our city’s many immigrant communities. Philadelphia represents the ways in which immigrants and our contributions have transformed the course of our collective… continue reading Commemorating Immigrant Heritage Month This June
By written by Inaara S. June 3, 2022
This June we’re celebrating Pride as well as Immigrant Heritage month with a spectrum of titles from picture books to young adult novels, plus some danger and intrigue in our adult fiction and movie recommendations! Young Children (up to 2nd Grade) Twas the night before pride by Joanna McClintick; illustrated by Juana Medina This… continue reading New Titles Coming to the Free Library in June!
By written by Rachel F. June 2, 2022 1
It is the 20th year of the One Book, One Philadelphia project, and as special as that is on its own, it is made all the more exciting due to the fact that this year’s title, My Broken Language by Quiara Alegría Hudes, is a love letter to the city of Philadelphia. The book breathes with Philly air. You… continue reading Upcoming Events with a Philly-Based One Book!
By written by Nell M. May 16, 2022
May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month ! As part of the celebration, let’s again dive into recent picture books created by Asian authors and/or illustrators. This is just a small sample – for many more titles, be sure to check out our booklist . Titles are available both in print and as ebooks whenever possible. I am Golden by… continue reading Picture Book Highlights | Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
By written by Monica C. May 3, 2022
![Akin, James, <em>Philadelphia taste displayed. Or, bon-ton below stairs</em>. [circa 1830], lithograph, hand-colored; 29 x 41 cm.(19.5 x 14.5 in.), Library Company of Philadelphia](https://libwww.freelibrary.org/images/blog/FLPBlog/resized/bogle-bon-ton.jpg)
Philadelphia’s Food Service History is Black History From the Historical Marker Database , photographed by Carolyn Martienssen, June 2015 You might have noticed on South 8th Street a historical marker that reads: “A noted Black caterer, [Robert] Bogle opened a posh eatery at this location in 1813. Recognized for his popular meat… continue reading Robert Bogle and Philadelphia’s Dynastic Black Caterers
By written by Lane February 25, 2022 1
by Germaine Ingram On Sunday, February 13, at 6:00 p.m., live on YouTube , I’ll be in conversation with the tap/jazz aficionado and irrepressible raconteur Hank Smith on his every-so-often show Hangin’ with Hank . We’ll kick back and chat about the research I’ve been doing, for the past three decades, on Louise Madison… continue reading Hangin’ with Hank: Imagining Louise
By written by Administrator February 8, 2022
Marian Sosa spent the summer volunteering for the Free Library, with Youth Services , the Summer of Wonder , and on Philadelphia's Play Streets . Here is what she had to say about her experience... Summer in the streets of Philadelphia, like the summer in many cities all across the nation, oftentimes means that there’s going to be a… continue reading A Summer of Service: What I Learned on Philly's Play Streets
By written by Administrator November 17, 2021
Hispanic Heritage Month is a celebration of Hispanic heritage and culture through festivals, cuisine, cultural events, and art, encompassing people of various races, ethnicities, nationalities, and traditions across Spanish-speaking countries, including Spain and numerous countries in Latin America. The period of September 15 through October 15… continue reading Hispanic Heritage Month Begins!
By written by Inaara S. September 16, 2021
Ready for some new reads to escape this long, hot summer? Read on for fun and inspiring books to help get you through the dog days of August! Young Children (up to 2nd Grade) Bodies Are Cool by Tyler Feder This cheerful, love-your-body picture book for preschoolers is an exuberant read-aloud with bright and friendly illustrations to pore over.… continue reading New Titles Coming to the Free Library in August!
By written by Rachel F. August 3, 2021
Yes, it’s that time of the year again, to head to the beach (or a heavily air conditioned reading nook) and dive into some fun reading! Here are some new and newish books that are perfect for giving yourself a mental vacation: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir Ryland Grace wakes up on a spaceship alone, not knowing who he is or why… continue reading Summer Reading with Dena!
By written by Dena July 26, 2021
During Immigrant Heritage Month, we celebrate the history, culture, and contributions of those who have immigrated to the United States and their descendants. As Guerline Jozef explains , "I look around me, and I only see three very distinct groups of people in America. I see the Native Americans. I see the descendants of slaves who were… continue reading Staff Spotlight on Jade Cintron Baez | Immigrant Heritage Month
By written by Emily S. June 28, 2021
June is Pride Month and the Free Library’s Author Events series has an extensive archive of podcasts and videos to help you celebrate a diverse range of writers working in politics, fiction, health and fitness, literary fiction, poetry, religion, and much more. Before we look back at some of our previous authors, check out these upcoming… continue reading Author Events Celebrates Pride Month
By written by Author Events June 16, 2021
How does it feel to be an immigrant? Imagine yourself leaving your home, your family and your country to settle in a completely different one. How would you feel? What would you miss? And how would you define home? Whether you’re an immigrant yourself or not, these stories will soothe and illuminate what it’s like to live in… continue reading Picture Book Highlights | Immigrant Heritage Month
By written by Monica C. June 10, 2021
This June we are commemorating Immigrant Heritage Month to celebrate the incredible diversity, beauty, and strength of immigrant communities in Philadelphia! Throughout the month, the City of Philadelphia's Office of Immigrant Affairs is promoting community events that celebrate the resilience of Philly’s immigrant communities.… continue reading Celebrating Immigrant Heritage Month this June!
By written by Inaara S. June 3, 2021
