This year, the Summer of Wonder program has teamed up with the Rosenbach Museum to offer family-friendly fun for the whole season! The Rosenbach is a quirky little place located near Rittenhouse… continue reading

By Emilie P.   July 28, 2017   

On Sunday, May 21, the Free Library’s Sunday Literacy Program  ended its pilot year with a Family Celebration program at the eleven libraries hosting Sunday Literacy. At the Family… continue reading

By Elizabeth K.   May 31, 2017   

It’s starting to feel like summer here at the Free Library of Philadelphia. And with the start to the best season of the year, we’re excited for three months of activities, games,… continue reading

By Becky F.   May 26, 2017    1

Everyone knows that if you want a crime solved right, bring in the kids. The Hardy Boys , Nancy Drew , Cam Jansen , Encyclopedia Brown , Scooby-Doo ’s Mystery Incorporated friends—all… continue reading

By Julie B.   May 15, 2017    1

The Philadelphia Science Festival is almost here!  The city-wide celebration of science happens April 21-29. The Free Library is proud to partner with the festival to offer great programing… continue reading

By Ann P.   April 20, 2017   

In an informal conversation with Marianne Banbor, Branch Head of the Independence Library , and Sara Palmer, Children’s Librarian at the Ramonita G. de Rodríguez Library , I asked… continue reading

By Mary Marques   April 20, 2017   

What if an entire community wrote one line each on a vintage Underwood Typewriter to create a really, really, long poem? Would it bring world peace? Would love abound? Would we become a united… continue reading

By Abbe K.   April 17, 2017   

We are thrilled that  Stories Alive , a partnership between the Free Library Prison Services program and the Philadelphia Department of Prisons, has been successfully up and running for more… continue reading

By Micaela G.   March 27, 2017   

Words at Play Vocabulary Initiative community partners are making big news! Jasmond "Jazz" Schoolfield, owner of Creative Image Unisex Salon on Cecil B. Moore Ave., is featured on the… continue reading

By Carrie K.   March 22, 2017    2

The Free Library of Philadelphia is excited to expand our Sunday Literacy program, now at eleven of our neighborhood libraries ! This program offers drop-in assistance to students struggling to… continue reading

By Jenn D.   March 16, 2017   

The Free Library is happy to host  Philadelphia Performances for Autism (PPA) on Saturday, February 18 at 2:00 p.m. in Parkway Central Library's Children's Department . Philadelphia… continue reading

By Leanne F.   February 15, 2017   

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… continue reading

By Melanie M.   February 13, 2017   

Many of us have great, nostalgic memories of enjoying The Nutcracker as a child. Why not revisit the timeless classic this year? This holiday classic ballet based on   E.T.A.… continue reading

By Sarah S.   December 2, 2016   

by Ned Scharff A little boy gazes into a Free Library video screen when suddenly a familiar face appears—that of the boy's father, an inmate in a Philadelphia prison. "Dad,"… continue reading

By Administrator   November 21, 2016    1

The Free Library of Philadelphia is excited to pilot a new Sunday Literacy program at five of our neighborhood libraries. This program offers drop-in assistance to students struggling to read in… continue reading

By Jenn D.   November 2, 2016    3

The PNC Words at Play Vocabulary Initiative kicked off the fall season with a Block Party at Widener Library this past weekend, where we were joined by Daniel Tiger from WHYY to greet a few… continue reading

By Carrie K.   September 28, 2016   

The PNC Words at Play August Play Party series has started at The Advocate Center , located at 18th and Diamond streets. During the first session, families read The Listening Walk , made Listening… continue reading

By Carrie K.   August 16, 2016   

It's never too early in a child's life to sign up for Summer Reading ! But how can babies, toddlers, and preschoolers participate in Summer Reading, when they can't even read yet?… continue reading

By Sarah S.   June 22, 2016   

Join us on Saturday, April 2 at 2:00 p.m. for a  free  performance by the Philadelphia Chinese Opera Society (PCOS) in the Montgomery Auditorium on the ground floor at the Parkway… continue reading

By Leanne F.   March 7, 2016   

The Free Library is proud to be a part of Craft NOW Philadelphia , an organization whose mission is to celebrate Philadelphia’s rich legacy of craft, its internationally-recognized… continue reading

By Samantha M.   November 9, 2015