So many people revel in the spirit of giving this time of year—from giving gifts to loved ones to giving back to their communities. The Free Library and all of our supporters get in the spirit of giving too. We raised $15,000  on Giving Tuesday, and we want to keep going! You can help us continue celebrating this holiday season… continue reading Give a Gift to the Free Library Fund this Holiday Season

By written by Jamie K.    December 23, 2019   

• Holidays
• Support
• Nonprofit

Can you believe the holidays are already upon us? Although it's the *most* wonderful time of the year in many ways, from office parties to time away from work to celebrating with loved ones and making memories, this time of year can also bring stress as you ponder your ever-growing shopping list. Eeep! But here at the Free Library, we have… continue reading Holiday Gift Ideas from the Free Library!

By written by Kate C.    December 10, 2019   

• Holidays
• Support

Deciding what holiday gifts to get friends and family is always tricky, especially since this time of year can be so hectic. And once you finally figure that out, you have to worry about actually getting those gifts! Whether that means spending hours perusing online store catalogs and straining your eyes, playing tug-of-war with someone at a… continue reading Give a Special Free Library Gift to Someone this Season: Dedicate a Bookplate!

By written by Jamie K.    December 9, 2019   

• Holidays
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• Nonprofit

It’s right around the corner! Join us at Parkway Central Library on Saturday, December 14 at 7:00 p.m. for Music in the Air: A Free Library Fête . The Free Library’s annual gala will feature and showcase Parkway Central Library's  Music Department , which owns one of the largest collections of music and dance… continue reading Join us for Music in the Air: A Free Library Fête!

By written by Jamie K.    December 4, 2019    1  

• Parkway Central
• Support
• Nonprofit

It’s Giving Tuesday ! Celebrated on the Tuesday after all of the chaos of Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday is a time to step back from consumerism and deals. It’s a day where everyone rallies to support their community and gives to causes that mean the most to them. Did you know that Giving Tuesday was… continue reading It's Giving Tuesday!

By written by Jamie K.    December 3, 2019   

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• Nonprofit

With National Philanthropy Day just a few days ago and Thanksgiving fast approaching, it’s a great time to think about what philanthropy is and what it means to each and every one of us. According to Merriam-Webster , philanthropy is defined as "goodwill to fellow members of the human race." While you might automatically… continue reading The Meaning of Philanthropy

By written by Jamie K.    November 21, 2019   

• Support
• History
• Nonprofit

When you think of spelling bees, you probably think back to those elementary school glory days (or, in my case, to an embarrassing misspelling of ‘different’ that still haunts me to this day...), but what if we told you that you could be part of a spelling bee for grown-ups while you eat and drink with friends? It’s true! On… continue reading The Birds and the Bee: A Raven Society Spelling Bee!

By written by Laura K.    October 15, 2019   

• Community Events
• Support
• Raven Society

This time of year, so many people are caught up in the spirit of giving—from giving gifts to loved ones, to giving back to their communities. I can’t think of a better way to get into this spirit than by giving to the Free Library Fund . The Free Library Fund supports the programs that make the Free Library so amazing all year… continue reading Show Your Library Love This Holiday Season!

By written by Alexa L.    December 21, 2018   

• Holidays
• Support
• Nonprofit

Having a hard time finding a special gift for that impossible-to-shop-for book fanatic in your life? We have a unique gift idea for you—one that celebrates your loved one’s love of reading and nurtures that love in others! Each holiday season, the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation creates festive commemorative bookplates for… continue reading Give a Gift from the Heart: Dedicate a Bookplate at the Free Library!

By written by Alexa L.    December 10, 2018   

• Holidays
• Support
• Nonprofit

Looking for a fun and fabulous time while supporting Philadelphia’s beloved Free Library and the countless ways it serves Philadelphians? Listen up , because one of our favorite ways you can support the Library is happening on Saturday, December 8— Feast Your Imagination: A Free Library Fête ! Buy a ticket, make a donation, or… continue reading Join us for Feast Your Imagination: A Free Library Fête!

By written by Alexa L.    November 30, 2018   

• Parkway Central
• Support
• Nonprofit

Want to have your book and eat it … er, drink it … too? You may know that the Free Library of Philadelphia is a public institution, funded by the City of Philadelphia, which provides for its staff and infrastructure. What sometimes surprises people is that the City works hand-in-hand with the Free Library Foundation, a nonprofit… continue reading Raise a Glass to the Free Library: The Spring Rooftop Beer Garden Series Is Back!

By written by Julie B.    April 23, 2018    8  

• Events at the Library
• Parkway Central
• Support

This year has been full of meaningful milestones not only for the Free Library, but for the entire city of Philadelphia. Notably, our boulevard magnifique, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, is celebrating its 100th birthday! The  Parkway Central Library  and our Parkway neighbors have been marking the occasion with exhibitions,… continue reading Celebrate the History of our City and the Free Library at the 2018 Family Event!

By written by Alexa L.    April 16, 2018   

• Events at the Library
• Childrens Programs
• Family Programs
• Parkway Central
• Support
• Storytime

In case you didn’t hear, the 2017 Beaux Arts Bash was a smashing success! On Saturday, December 9, the Parkway Central Library was transformed for the Free Library’s biggest fundraiser of the year. This year’s theme embraced the Free Library’s historic past on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and the iconic Beaux Arts… continue reading A Historic Night at Parkway Central, Beaux Arts Bash 2017!

By written by Alexa L.    December 29, 2017   

• Events at the Library
• Parkway Central
• Support
• Nonprofit

Whenever I walk through one of our 54 libraries, I’m struck by the impact that our work has on citizens of all ages and backgrounds. I love seeing an older adult find a new voice in a memoir-writing workshop, or a small-business owner experience an “a-ha” moment during a networking event. But for me, nothing is more powerful… continue reading Double Your Library Love This Year

By written by Siobhan Reardon    December 22, 2017   

• Siobhan A. Reardon
• Support
• Nonprofit

What if this holiday season you could skip the lines, dodge the crowds, avoid internet-search fatigue … and get the perfect gift for all the bookworms on your list? Some might call that a holiday miracle; we’d call it a beloved annual tradition at the Free Library of Philadelphia! Each holiday season, the Free Library of… continue reading A Unique Gift That Gives Back, Dedicate a Bookplate at the Free Library!

By written by Alexa L.    December 11, 2017   

• Holidays
• Support
• Nonprofit

The beloved Parkway Central Library, celebrating its 90th birthday this year, is a defining building in our city. It seems natural that the Free Library of Philadelphia’s flagship location would sit along the city’s boulevard magnifique, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway—which is in the midst of its centennial celebration. Both of… continue reading Celebrate the City’s Beaux Arts Bonafides

By written by Julie B.    December 4, 2017    1  

• Parkway Central
• Support
• History

As a dedicated Library user, you have likely interacted with the Free Library of Philadelphia on countless occasions—whether you’ve borrowed books in one of our 54 neighborhood libraries, enjoyed a story time with your family, or used the digital resources on this very website. Might you say you are passionate about advancing… continue reading Support the Free Library with Style—at the Beaux Arts Bash!

By written by Alexa L.    November 27, 2017   

• Events at the Library
• Parkway Central
• Support

The Free Library Shop offers charming literary gifts for any occasion, including signed books, tote bags, stationery, and more—many featuring designs inspired by the Library’s own special collections. This year, we are proud to present products created in collaboration with local makers. This week, use code Holiday2017… continue reading Happy Holidays! Check Out These New Gifts in the Free Library Shop!

By written by Victoria G.    November 24, 2017   

• Holidays
• Support

At the Free Library, we’re all about connecting people with the information they need to enhance and improve their lives. We connect job seekers with résumé workshops, small-business owners with career coaches, history buffs with landmark exhibitions, and bookworms with bestsellers and classics alike. And so, in the interest… continue reading Free Library Fund: A Public and Private Partnership for Success!

By written by Emily S.    November 20, 2017    3  

• Support
• Nonprofit
• Library Resources

Did you know there’s more than one kind of literacy? In the 21st century, a number of critical literacy skills are required to get through an ordinary day: nutritional literacy at breakfast, digital literacy to apply for a job online, financial literacy to make smart decisions for the whole family, and literacy in the arts and humanities… continue reading Beyond The Shelves: Give the Gift of Literacy

By written by Emily S.    December 15, 2016   

• Holidays
• Support