Fancy yourself as a do-it-yourself handyman or looking to pick up a new skill? Want to dive into the world of electronics and repair the wire in your mouse, or salvage your favorite keyboard? Look no further! Join the Free Library's Science and Wellness Department and learn how to solder at Making Connections: A Basic… continue reading Learn the Art of Soldering at the Library
By written by Brianna V. November 26, 2024
It’s Spooky Season, and the Free Library of Philadelphia celebrates Halloween all month long! There are fun, Halloween-themed activities coming to several of our branches, and we’ve highlighted some of our favorites below: Enjoy the Rare Book Department’s Edgar Allen Poe collection with “Nevermore… continue reading Celebrate the Spookiest Month of the Year with the Free Library
By written by Anthony T. September 30, 2024
Are you looking for a fun Halloween activity to get you in the spirit of the season? Mask On, Mask Off: Papier-Mâché Workshop is a fun and creative Halloween project that will let you unleash your artistic flair. Join us at Parkway Central Library for this exciting opportunity to explore mask-making through a three-part… continue reading Mask On, Mask Off: Papier-Mâché Workshop
By written by Brianna V. September 30, 2024
Since Parkway Central Library opened in 1927, patrons have had free and open access to its rich and unique collections, expanding services, and professionally trained and welcoming staff. The robust programs and collections available are impressive, but some patrons may not be familiar with all of them. To promote these… continue reading Department Highlights: Science and Wellness
By written by Erin A. September 3, 2024 1
Strawberries are super and sweet to look at and to eat! In this video, Shayna used strawberries as her theme for making handmade cards . What ideas do you have for making cards or stationary? What shapes and colors can you find in different fruits and vegetables? Nourishing Literacy offers food, literacy, wellness, and life skills… continue reading Nourishing Literacy | Let's make strawberry cards with Shayna!
By written by Shayna M. July 15, 2022
Do you enjoy creating things with your hands, be it simple origami shapes, drawing, painting, baking, or even learning and creating code? There are few better ways to explore your creativity than just letting loose and making whatever your heart tells you to! Your neighborhood library is ready to be your one-stop shop for discovering… continue reading National Children's Craft Day
By written by Jeff B. March 14, 2022
Fresh, frozen, sun-dried, freeze-dried, jelly, jam, milk, ice cream, fruit leather, syrup... strawberries are sweet, a treat, and fun to eat! A great source of vitamin C, strawberries are a special food with some surprises hidden under their green tops. The small freckles on the outside of the fruit are commonly referred to as the… continue reading Nourishing Literacy | Strawberries Are Our Jam!
By written by Shayna M. March 2, 2022 2
Did you know that January is National Hobby Month ? From baking bread in mass quantities to perfecting our puzzle skills, many of us have used these unorthodox past two years to find new things we enjoy doing in our downtime! Are you looking for your next hobby? Let the Free Library help! By checking out an instrument from our … continue reading Find a New Hobby with the Free Library!
By written by Kate C. January 21, 2022 2
What art projects can you think of that involve layers? What recipes have you tasted that include layers of ingredients? Leanna and Tonii share two ideas for layering, while creating art and recipes in the following video. These ideas might be ones that you want to try or they might inspire different ideas of your own! Tonii's Layered… continue reading Nourishing Literacy | Let's Layer: Art and Cooking!
By written by Shayna M. December 10, 2021
September is National Sewing Month and a great opportunity to create something new this year for everyone on your D.I.Y gift-giving list. Both the Art and Literature and Science and Wellness departments at Parkway Central Library have many informative how-to titles to help make your crafting ideas a reality. You may already have the crochet,… continue reading Create Something New During National Sewing Month
By written by Juanita V. September 30, 2021
Earth Day is here again and while I try to do my part in reducing, reusing, and recycling all year long, I’m always looking for more ways to keep the Earth and, more specifically, the streets of Philadelphia a little cleaner. But I have a confession to make: I still have that bag of plastic shopping bags living in my kitchen. Some stores… continue reading Earth Day Project | Upcycling with Plastic Yarn
By written by Echo P. April 22, 2021
Thank you to Nourishing Literacy (NL) team member Carolyn for writing this blog post! In addition to sharing her experience and findings, Carolyn has included some of the activities and approaches that we use in NL. The NL team enjoys providing interactive food info and ideas that spark curiosity and are inclusive to all ages and skills. Leafy… continue reading Nourishing Literacy | Greens Across Tables
By written by Shayna M. April 13, 2021 4
Summer is looking a little different this year without in-person programming at the Free Library. As someone who lives for summer arts and crafts programs, I’m sure I’m not the only one itching for some quality craft time with the kids. If you are looking for fun, engaging crafts to make with your kids but don’t have a lot of… continue reading Creating on a Budget with Recycled Crafts
By written by Echo P. July 1, 2020
by Nourishing Literacy staff members Shayna M. and Carolyn After reading a New Yorker article a few weeks ago, our curiosity and interest grew in how to use kitchen scraps in resourceful ways. Tamar Adler, the highlighted chef and cookbook author in the article, is passionate about creating wholesome, satisfying dishes with foods… continue reading Making Sense of Food Scraps
By written by Shayna M. May 18, 2020
Before I was a Rare Book Librarian, I worked as a Stitcher (let's not say "sewer"), and have recently pulled out my sewing machine to make face masks for donation. As of April 3, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has officially endorsed wearing cloth face masks in public settings. While the gold standard to… continue reading Making Face Masks for Fun (and Not Profit)
By written by Caitlin G. April 17, 2020 6
While we all practice social distancing with schools and libraries closed for at least two weeks to help flatten the curve of COVID-19 , what exactly are you (and your kids!) going to do with yourself? A lot of us have to-be-read piles stacked in tottering piles and a to-do list of tasks around the house that we may have been putting off for a… continue reading Keeping You and the Kids Busy While Social Distancing
By written by Jennifer E. March 25, 2020 1
**Upated to reflect new virtual programs on March 26 at 3:23 p.m.** While we’re sad that our buildings are closed for now , our Free Library librarians and staff members are taking some of your favorite programs online until we can all get together in person again! Check out some of the activities that are planned… continue reading Join the Free Library for Online Storytimes and Virtual Activities!
By written by Kate C. March 23, 2020 7
Squash is one of those wonderful, hearty foods that last throughout the colder seasons, and comes in many intriguing shapes and sizes. It serves as a point of literary intrigue, a cultural cornerstone, and a hot topic for cookbooks. Check out what the Free Library has in our cookbook collections —all in celebration of squash! The… continue reading The Pumpkin on the Plate
By written by Gennifer R. October 30, 2019
