What’s a climbing wall doing at the Library?? The library used to be a quiet place—families and children sitting quietly together reading. Because that’s what people did at the library. We now know better. Reams of research now show that children learn best—and first—through PLAY: through pretending and creating… continue reading Let’s Play! At the Library! Innovative Play-and-Learn Spaces Come to Three Neighborhood Libraries

By written by Julie B.    June 18, 2018    2  

• Childrens Programs
• Literacy
• Neighborhood Libraries

In our ongoing series of blog posts highlighting our awesome staff throughout the Free Library of Philadelphia, today we take some time to speak with Link Ross - Children's Librarian at South Philadelphia Library ...   What is your role with the Free Library of Philadelphia? I'm a Children's Librarian at the South Philadelphia… continue reading Meet Your Library Staff: Link Ross - Children's Librarian at South Philadelphia Library

By written by Administrator    June 13, 2018    2  

• Free Library Staff
• Book Bike
• Neighborhood Libraries

As communities’ needs and desires change, libraries and staff are adapting and evolving with them. Long gone are the days when librarians mostly sat behind desks fielding reference questions. Libraries now define and develop their work within their communities and for their communities as defined by their communities: Library Assistants… continue reading National and Local Trends Inform Development of Upcoming Community-Centered Libraries Trainings

By written by Community-Centered Libraries    June 7, 2018    2  

• Free Library Staff
• Book Bike
• Community
• Neighborhood Libraries
• IMLS

It's almost officially summer here in Philadelphia, as the sun finally breaks through all the recent rain clouds and schools will be letting out early next week. No matter what your plans are this summer, the Free Library is here to keep you cool, connected, and book-bound! Our summer hours begin on Monday, June 11. Many of our libraries… continue reading Summer Hours and Cool Activities at the Free Library!

By written by Christina P.    June 6, 2018    5  

• Childrens Programs
• Family Programs
• Film Screenings
• Sundays on Stage
• Teens
• Summer Reading
• Book Bike
• Summer
• Crafts and Hobbies
• Neighborhood Libraries
• PAWS Read to a Dog
• Games and Gaming

TheFree Library is teeming with opportunities for little ones to get cozy with letters, words, and books from the earliest ages. Our storytimes for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers incorporate not only reading, but singing, dancing, counting, and playing. Our Read by 4th campaign has helped install "book nooks" in barbershops,… continue reading Vanguard Donates $3 Million to Boost Literacy for Our Littlest Learners

By written by Julie B.    May 14, 2018   

• Early Literacy
• Read by 4th
• Neighborhood Libraries

In what we hope will be an ongoing series of blog posts highlighting our awesome staff throughout the Free Library of Philadelphia, today we take some time to speak with Abbe Klebanoff, Branch Manager of Fumo Family Library . Being the selfless person she is, she couldn't help but gush about and give props to her equally awesome coworkers… continue reading Meet Your Library Staff: Abbe Klebanoff - Branch Manager of Fumo Family Library

By written by Administrator    May 11, 2018    1  

• Free Library Staff
• Neighborhood Libraries

The Aspen Institute’s influential report, Rising to the Challenge: Re-Envisioning Public Libraries , predicts that in the coming years, the most successful public libraries will be the ones with services that prioritize and support local community goals. "What libraries need is to be more intentional in the ways that they deploy… continue reading New Training on Community-Centered Libraries Starts in October

By written by Community-Centered Libraries    May 2, 2018    2  

• Free Library Staff
• Neighborhood Libraries
• IMLS

Free Spanish Literacy Classes for Adults! Do you know a Spanish-speaking adult who wants to learn how to read and write? The Free Library of Philadelphia is offering free classes for adult Spanish speakers to learn how to read and write in Spanish. This free program called LEAMOS is currently being offered at Kensington Library, with on-site… continue reading Free Spanish Literacy Program LEAMOS Teaches Spanish-speaking Adults to Read and Write

By written by Emily L.    March 27, 2018    6  

• Literacy
• New Americans
• Neighborhood Libraries

Every Monday at the Falls of Schuylkill Library around 4:15 p.m., our Children’s Department welcomes two special visitors. Wally and Orchid, while there to hear some stories and make new friends, are not your regular storytime attendees—they are both trained therapy dogs! They visit the library to help our school-age readers become… continue reading Therapy Dogs Encourage Reading at Neighborhood Libraries!

By written by Meredith M.    March 5, 2018    6  

• Childrens Programs
• Reading
• Neighborhood Libraries
• PAWS Read to a Dog

The Free Library of Philadelphia's Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (LBPH) will soon have a new home. Beginning Wednesday, February 21, this library will be located at 1500 Spring Garden Street, Suite 230 . The new location can be reached via the Broad Street Line (Spring Garden stop) and the 2, 4, 16, and 43 bus lines. Its… continue reading The Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Is Moving!

By written by Julie B.    January 29, 2018    2  

• Neighborhood Libraries

Our reopening season comes to a close with one final community celebration that is not to be missed. After a year and a half of undergoing extensive renovation and expansion,  Lovett Memorial Library  will reopen its doors on Saturday, December 16. This neighborhood hub, located at 6945 Germantown Avenue, has been reimagined as part… continue reading Lovett Memorial Library Grand Reopening Celebration!

By written by Julie B.    December 11, 2017    3  

• 21st Century Libraries
• Neighborhood Libraries

It’s a fest! Tacony’s annual Winterfest, of course, and this year also a library-fest! After a year and a half of undergoing extensive renovation and expansion,  Tacony Library  will reopen its doors on Saturday, December 2—coinciding with the neighborhood’s Winterfest celebration. This neighborhood hub,… continue reading Tacony Library Grand Reopening Celebration!

By written by Julie B.    November 27, 2017    9  

• 21st Century Libraries
• Neighborhood Libraries

Come one, come all: After a year and a half of undergoing extensive renovation and expansion,  Lillian Marrero Library  will reopen its doors on Saturday, November 18! This neighborhood hub, located at 601 W. Lehigh Avenue, has been reimagined as part of the Free Library’s  Building Inspiration: 21st Century Libraries… continue reading Lillian Marrero Library Grand Reopening Celebration!

By written by Jenn D.    November 13, 2017   

• 21st Century Libraries
• Neighborhood Libraries

This October, first and second grade students in the Building Bridges with Books program (a partnership between the Free Library and the School District of Philadelphia) got a unique glimpse into the life and culture of one of Philadelphia’s Sister Cities: Incheon, South Korea. Building Bridges with Books partnered with Citizen Diplomacy… continue reading Sister City: Students Encounter Incheon, South Korea at the Library

By written by Jess P.    November 9, 2017    1  

• Childrens Programs
• Reading
• Childrens Books
• Storytime
• Neighborhood Libraries

Jacqueline Woodson has said that Another Brooklyn , although a fictional story of four girls growing up in the 1960s and 70s, is at its heart a biography of her neighborhood—Bushwick. Having moved there from Greenville, North Carolina as a child, she describes the neighborhood of her youth as "very alive. It was—my memory of it… continue reading #OneBookWednesday: Another Brooklyn, Many Philadelphias – A Close-Up on Philly's Neighborhoods

By written by Julie B.    November 8, 2017   

• One Book, One Philadelphia
• Neighborhood Libraries

Come one, come all: After a year and a half of undergoing extensive renovation and expansion, Logan Library will reopen its doors on Saturday, November 4! This neighborhood hub, located at 1333 Wagner Avenue, has been reimagined as part of the Free Library’s Building Inspiration: 21st Century Libraries Initiative , a transformational… continue reading Logan Library Grand Reopening Celebration!

By written by Julie B.    October 24, 2017    1  

• 21st Century Libraries
• Neighborhood Libraries

We are thrilled to announced that in the coming months, we will be reopening FOUR neighborhood libraries, following their extensive modernization and expansion! Logan , Lillian Marrero , Tacony , and Lovett Memorial libraries have been reimagined as part of the Free Library’s Building Inspiration: 21st Century Libraries Initiative , a… continue reading Four Reimagined 21st Century Libraries Reopening in November and December

By written by Julie B.    October 23, 2017    3  

• 21st Century Libraries
• Neighborhood Libraries

When I came aboard at the Free Library of Philadelphia in March of this year as Chief of Staff, I set a goal to make it to all 54 neighborhood library locations . It was important to me to do so for a number of reasons. My hope was to meet the staff at each location, ask questions, learn about what works, and, likewise, what challenges exist. I… continue reading I Visited Every Free Library Location and Here’s What I Learned...

By written by Leslie W.    September 15, 2017   

• Free Library Staff
• Community
• Neighborhood Libraries

Welcoming Week is almost upon us—an annual national series supported by the city’s Office of Immigrant Affairs that aims to bring together immigrants, refugees, and native-born residents to raise awareness of the benefits of welcoming everyone. In celebration, the Independence Library is excited to welcome Dragon’s Eye Theatre… continue reading Independence Library Welcomes Interactive Children's Theater Performances for Welcoming Week

By written by Julie B.    September 12, 2017   

• Childrens Programs
• Family Programs
• Languages
• Theatre
• New Americans
• Neighborhood Libraries

This year the Free Library of Philadelphia is participating in Welcoming Week: Connecting Neighbors, Serving Communities , taking place September 15 through 24, with a variety of cultural events embracing the civic dialog among the multicultural communities in the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection. Many of the programs offered… continue reading Welcoming Week 2017: Connecting Neighbors, Serving Communities

By written by Mary Marques    September 6, 2017    1  

• Childrens Programs
• Family Programs
• New Americans
• Community
• Neighborhood Libraries
• Nonfiction
• Diversity Equity and Inclusion