Posts in “archives” (16)
Blog Articles
![Librarian John Thomson at his desk in Free Library of Philadelphia at City Hall, 1894. [Photographic Prints]. Retrieved from the History of the Free Library of Philadelphia Archive.](https://libwww.freelibrary.org/images/blog/FLPBlog/orig/1894-city-hall-librarian.jpg)
For over 130 years, the Free Library has been serving the communities of Philadelphia. Because we believe that history is important and should be shared, we are working to make the Free Library of… continue reading History in the Free Library Archives
By written by Bill R. January 21, 2025
On October 17, the Newspapers and Microfilm Center will host a screening of Recorder: The Marion Stokes Project . Stokes was a Philadelphia activist, librarian, public-access television producer,… continue reading Marion Stokes Saved Everything
By written by Charlie B. October 9, 2024
In 1973, author Lloyd Alexander (1924-2007) wrote The Cat Who Wished to Be a Man , a comical fantasy novel about a housecat who is magically transformed by his wizard-owner into a… continue reading The Human Who Was Amazed by "The Cat Who Wished to Be a Man"
By written by Chris B. May 31, 2023
The Free Library of Philadelphia has some wonderful resources for people researching the history of children's literature in America. With just a library card , several databases are… continue reading Profiles in Literature
By written by Chris B. April 25, 2023
Written by Lewis Shaw, who conducted extensive research in the Art Department as part of a Friends Select School Senior Internship Project. The following is a continuation of a previous blog post… continue reading A Continued Discussion on the Topics of Surrealism and Gender
By written by Administrator November 10, 2021
Updated Tuesday, December 7, 2021 Sherry L. Howard is a Philadelphia-based art collector and researcher who primarily focuses on local African American art and artists. She writes about her… continue reading African American Art Collecting and Research with Philadelphia Author Sherry Howard
By written by Alina J. November 3, 2021
The New Deal, President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s political experiment to pull the United States out of the Great Depression, created programs for relief for the unemployed and economic… continue reading Explore the New Deal’s Legacy Across Philadelphia
By written by Laura S. October 5, 2021
by Laura S. and Caitlin G. It’s been ninety years since the crisis of the Great Depression inspired the New Deal’s government investment and aid. But it’s not just history. The… continue reading For the Greatest Number: The New Deal Revisited
By written by Administrator August 31, 2021 4
When Frank Stephens, Jr., passed away in March at the age of 89, many mourned the loss of a friend and colleague. Others were hearing about Frank for the first time. And it was an opportunity for… continue reading Frank Stephens, Jr.: A Free Library Legacy
By written by Administrator May 11, 2021 3
What do books and objects from 800 years ago have to do with our present-day concerns? An exhibition taking shape online and in the Rare Book Department 's William B. Dietrich Gallery… continue reading "Medieval Life" Comes to Parkway Central
By written by Janine P. September 2, 2020
In addition to offering patrons ever-growing Digital Collections , dozens of research databases , and a rich variety of genealogic resources , the Free Library and the Special Collections Division… continue reading Finding "Nonno"
By written by Fleisher Collection June 17, 2020
For more than 25 years, libraries have been digitizing their collections, and the Free Library has digital collections in abundance—providing the opportunity to browse through roughly 50,000… continue reading Diving into Digital Collections
By written by Janine P. May 1, 2020
Preservation Week is an annual celebration that began in 2012 with the American Library Association and is celebrated in libraries, museums, and households around the country. The theme for this… continue reading Celebrate Preservation Week at the Free Library!
By written by Chris B. April 27, 2020
You’ve heard the adage that “All politics is local”, but the real, hidden story of American life is documented in the rich and mostly lost bounty of local television programming… continue reading Input and the Extraordinary Marion Stokes
By written by Violet L. September 14, 2018 10
Over three previous concert seasons at the Parkway Central Library , veteran and up-and-coming Philly musicians have explored some questions. What has the Great Migration meant to music in… continue reading Mysterious Travelers Tunes Up for Its Fourth Season of Free Jazz Shows with the Philadelphia Jazz Project!
By written by Perry G. September 13, 2017
Katherine Milhous (1894-1977) and Frances Lichten (1889-1961) were life partners and artistic collaborators who shared several passions: creating vibrant artwork for children and adults,… continue reading A Love of Philadelphia
By written by Shahadah A. June 25, 2012 3