May 1 begins Mental Health Awareness Month; this is a time to think more about our mental health journeys. Mental Health Awareness Month was established in 1949 to increase awareness about the importance of mental health in the lives of people living all across the United States. Mental health can mean many different things to lots of… continue reading Observing Mental Health Awareness Month With the Free Library

By written by Inaara S.    May 1, 2023   

• Healthcare
• Health
• Healthy Communities

International Overdose Awareness Day is Saturday, August 31. The aim is to raise awareness and acknowledge the grief felt by families and friends remembering those who have died or suffered injury as a result of a drug overdose. As well, the day spreads the message that the tragedy of overdose death is preventable. The Free Library is… continue reading Overdose Awareness and Prevention

By written by Jenn D.    August 28, 2019   

• Community Events
• Healthcare
• Health

Do you need help finding healthcare or signing up for federal benefits? Do you have questions about resources for free or low-cost food? Are you worried about the mental health of a family member? Find support and get your questions answered at Parkway Central Library on Wednesday, December 19 from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Community… continue reading Health Support at the Free Library

By written by Autumn M.    December 13, 2018   

• Healthcare
• Health

Medical information changes rapidly with new research, and when new information is delivered to you during a stressful medical appointment, it can be tough to remember everything you were told. Differing levels of education; access to resources; and factors such as age, language, and cultural differences can all affect a person’s… continue reading The Free Library is Here for You During Health Literacy Month!

By written by Kate C.    October 11, 2018   

• Healthcare
• Culinary Literacy
• Health

National Public Health Week takes place this week, from April 2-8. But what is "public health", you may be asking? Public health promotes and protects the health of all people and the communities where we live, learn, work, and play. It aims to protect the health of entire populations, from your school, workplace, and neighborhood, to… continue reading National Public Health Week

By written by Katie D.    April 2, 2018   

• Healthcare
• Health

Did you know the Free Library has trained mental health professionals on site at Parkway Central Library to help patrons who are in need of social services and other referrals? Because of all the great work being done, and in honor of National Social Work Month in March, we took a few moments to catch up with Michael Rabb, one of our onsite… continue reading Spotlight on Michael Rabb for National Social Work Month

By written by Autumn M.    March 15, 2018    6  

• Healthcare
• Community
• Social Services

Welcome to " Ask the Job Readiness Lab ," a series of posts in which we address the questions of job seekers and share our answers with a broader audience. Here, our partner Clarifi addresses how going back to work affects disability benefits. I’m receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Will I no longer be eligible for SSI… continue reading Ask the Job Readiness Lab: "How will my disability benefits be impacted if I return to work?"

By written by Administrator    October 10, 2017   

• Healthcare
• Job Readiness Lab
• Job Seekers

This November, the Free Library will be hosting enrollment fairs for federal marketplace (Affordable Care Act/Obamacare) health insurance. You can find out more about the Affordable Care Act (ACA), how to get assistance , and resources on our website. You can also visit healthcare.gov at any time to learn more about the plans and the enrollment… continue reading Health Insurance Enrollment & Health Fairs at the Free Library of Philadelphia

By written by Katie D.    October 5, 2017    1  

• Healthcare
• Health

The South Philadelphia Library has added a new collection: the Health Lending Library . The first items in this new collection are electronic blood pressure monitors and food scales. These items will now be available for checkout in addition to the robust health collection on our shelves at South Philly Library. Check out our list to see some… continue reading Health Lending Library Now Available in South Philadelphia

By written by Katie D.    August 28, 2017    2  

• Healthcare
• Health
• Neighborhood Libraries

Philadelphia was the place to be in July of 1976. Even Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain came to present the Bicentennial Bell , cast in the same foundry as our Liberty Bell. The 4,000+ members of the Pennsylvania chapter of the American Legion no doubt considered themselves fortunate to be attending their annual convention at the… continue reading A History Minute: Philadelphia's Medical Mystery

By written by Sally F.    March 16, 2017   

• Healthcare
• History
• A History Minute
• Science

The Free Library of Philadelphia, American Heart Association , and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia will come together at Parkway Central Library on Saturday, February 18 in honor of American Heart Month to host We <3 Hearts: A Family Heart Health Day . The event that will feature programs and activities that promote heart health… continue reading We <3 Hearts: A Heart Healthy Family Day

By written by Melanie M.    February 13, 2017   

• Events at the Library
• Family Programs
• Healthcare
• Health

The United States is about to enter its fourth year of Health Insurance Open Enrollment. This year, consumers can sign up for health insurance between November 1, 2016 and January 31, 2017. In order to be insured on January 1, 2017, you must enroll by December 15. Did you know that Pennsylvania expanded its Medicaid program last year? If… continue reading Affordable Care Act Open Enrollment Starts November 1, 2016!

By written by Autumn M.    October 28, 2016   

• Healthcare
• Health

October is Health Literacy Month , a month dedicated to promoting the importance of understandable health information. The month was first honored as an annual worldwide event in 1999 and continues to be an important initiative in addressing inequities in literacy and health. Healthy People 2020 defines health literacy as "the degree… continue reading October is Health Literacy Month!

By written by Melanie M.    September 30, 2016    1  

• Healthcare
• Health

Happy International Literacy Day ! While everyone knows libraries are literacy hubs, many might not know the different types of literacy the Free Library of Philadelphia helps to promote! Not sure what we're talking about? Here are a few examples: Culinary Literacy Opened in June of 2014, the Free Library of Philadelphia’s… continue reading Celebrate International Literacy Day with the Free Library

By written by Kate C.    September 8, 2016    2  

• Tech
• Healthcare
• Literacy
• Culinary Literacy
• Politics

Update: Thank you for your comments and excitement over the new South Philadelphia Library. We regret the error of leaving out the address and location of the library. This blog post has now been updated with the South Philadelphia Library address and location. We hope to see you there soon! - admin   This past Saturday, together with the… continue reading The New South Philadelphia Library Is Now Open!

By written by Julie B.    June 13, 2016    14  

• Events at the Library
• Community Events
• Healthcare
• Literacy
• 21st Century Libraries

Are you worried about Zika? Every day we read more information about the Zika virus. Here is what is known now. What is the Zika virus? The first instance of a local Zika virus outbreak was reported in Brazil in May 2015. The virus is transmitted to people primarily by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Doctors now suspect the virus can also be… continue reading Zika Virus: Little Mosquito, Big Concerns

By written by Lillian B.    March 14, 2016    1  

• Healthcare

Do you have questions about vaccinations? Many people do! We know many of you visit the Free Library (in person and online) searching for health information. A new series of blog posts will share ways you can access our materials and services and focus on key health topics concerning Philadelphians. This post concerns vaccinations ...… continue reading What About Vaccinations?

By written by Sharyl O.    January 28, 2016   

• Healthcare
• Business Science and Industry

The Free Library continually seeks ways to provide the best health information and resources for our users. One of our exciting ventures is the newly established Health Corners in three neighborhood libraries in West Philadelphia. These dedicated areas at Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional , Kingsessing , and Paschalville… continue reading Check Out Our New Health Corners!

By written by Autumn M.    December 8, 2015   

• Healthcare

We know many of you visit the Free Library of Philadelphia (in person and online) searching for health information. A new series of blog posts will share ways you can access our materials and services and focus on key health topics concerning Philadelphians. This post will introduce to you an amazing resource from the Free Library of… continue reading Health Information for You on MedlinePlus

By written by Sharyl O.    November 3, 2015    1  

• Databases
• Healthcare

The United States is about to enter its third year of Marketplace (Affordable Care Act / Obamacare) Open Enrollment. This year, consumers can sign up for health insurance between November 1, 2015 and January 31, 2016. In order to be insured on January 1, 2016, you must enroll by December 15. Did you know that Pennsylvania expanded its… continue reading Affordable Care Act Open Enrollment Starts Soon!

By written by Autumn M.    October 26, 2015   

• Healthcare