Posts in “special-collections” (90)
Blog Articles
Just in time for spring cleaning, N. C. Wyeth's The Old Woman Tost Up in a Basket is back on display in Up Above: Thinking About the Skies in Parkway Central Library. Creating and… continue reading Up Above: Thinking about the "Little Old Lady Tost Up in a Basket"
By written by Chris B. April 19, 2022 2
If you've spent any time around here, you know we love talking about some of the more unique and unexpected items available for lending at the Free Library! You know, beyond the books, DVDs,… continue reading Tweet, tweet! An Update on the Birding Backpack Program
By written by JoAnne W. March 8, 2022 7
In the Path of Islam, in collaboration with Al-Bustan Seed of Culture, are excited to announce the return of the well-received, virtual, free Arabic conversation classes this February and… continue reading Free Virtual Arabic Language Programs Return in February and March!
By written by Joe S. January 25, 2022 3
Updated Wednesday, December 15, 2021 4:20 p.m. One of the most popular attractions of the Free Library's Rare Book Department is Grip the Raven, the late lamented pet of author Charles… continue reading Grip: A Poem, Book, and Raven
By written by Chris B. December 3, 2021
As part of his bold New Deal aimed at national reform and recovery in the wake of the Great Depression , President Franklin D. Roosevelt launched the Work Projects Administration (WPA) . The… continue reading The ABCs of the WPA at FLP
By written by Fleisher Collection November 8, 2021
Manuscripts of the Muslim World and Al-Bustan Seeds of Cultural are offering free, virtual Arabic Conversational Classes! There are many reasons to learn conversational Arabic... There are over… continue reading Let's Speak Arabic!
By written by Joe S. October 5, 2021 7
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From Sean Connery to Daniel Craig, the intrepid agent of the British Secret Intelligence Service—James Bond, designated Agent 007—has epitomized masculine cool. Everyone knows how he… continue reading Uncovering the Real James Bond in the Rare Book Department
By written by Mharlyn M. September 20, 2021 3
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
The Rare Book Department has some true treasures within its collections, but perhaps one of its most special collections is the First Folio of William Shakespeare . What is the “First… continue reading Who Said It: Shakespeare, Milton, or Shake Milton?
By written by Peter SM April 28, 2021
Dox Thrash was an innovative artist and printmaker who gained recognition for his realistic and moving depictions of Black life while working for the… continue reading Spotlight on Special Collections: Artist Dox Thrash and the WPA Printmaking Collection
By written by Laura S. April 23, 2021 1
What are the most popular Googled questions about Ramadan? Here's what we found: When does Ramadan begin and end in 2021? What is allowed and not allowed during Ramadan? What does Ramadan… continue reading Happy Ramadan: Manuscripts of the Muslim World and Beyond!
By written by Joe S. April 6, 2021
When the 19th Amendment passed in 1920, the ways many American women engage civically forever changed. Voter enfranchisement continues to be a touchpoint for movements dedicated to participatory… continue reading Women's History Month | The 19th Amendment and Making Her Mark
By written by Suzanna U. March 26, 2021
by Jena Harris and Suzanna Urminska "In every race, in every nation and in every clime in every period of history there is always an eager-eyed group of youthful patriots who seriously set… continue reading Reimagining a Recipe for Radical Self Care
By written by Suzanna U. February 9, 2021
While the days of immersing ourselves at an in-person exhibit at a favorite gallery or museum are still out of reach for so many of us, as we continue to follow health guidelines to help manage… continue reading Online Exhibition Experiences to Welcome in the New Year
By written by Suzanna U. January 8, 2021
Hannah Cho is a University of Pennsylvania Work-Study student from Davis, CA. During the Fall semester, she studied, recorded, and edited the Story Search podcasts remotely from South Korea.… continue reading Story Search from Special Collections: An Interview by Hannah Cho
By written by Joe S. January 6, 2021
I still remember as a child, coming along as my mother cast her ballot. Standing side by side with my mother, the first person in my family to vote in the U.S., left me with wide-eyed curiosity.… continue reading Making Her Mark: Philadelphia Women Fight for the Vote Digital Exhibition Launches
By written by Suzanna U. November 10, 2020
As we find ourselves weeks away from Election Day, consider this question: Who was the first person in your family to vote? The stories of Philadelphia women who built and sustained… continue reading Making Her Mark: Philadelphia Women Fight for the Vote Exhibition Opens Fall 2020
By written by Suzanna U. September 30, 2020
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
You may have heard the recent news that Free Library cardholders now have access to ProQuest’s Historical Black Newspapers , featuring coverage of The Philadelphia Tribune (the oldest… continue reading Philadelphia History from Home: Digital Access to Primary Sources
By written by Caitlin G. August 25, 2020
For nearly three decades, America’s birthplace (Philly, of course!) has celebrated Independence Day with Wawa Welcome America – a free, multi-day festival encompassing… continue reading Celebrate Wawa Welcome America Virtually with the Free Library!
By written by Kate C. June 29, 2020