Can you name five women artists off the top of your head? (Not counting Frida Kahlo or Georgia O’Keeffe.) Try. Surprised if you can’t? Don’t be. It happens. But let us help… continue reading

By Karen K.   March 8, 2019   

Long ago, Philadelphians had the opportunity to escape the congestion of the city by ferrying to two islands in the middle of the Delaware River, across from what is now Penn’s Landing.… continue reading

By Megan M.   January 22, 2019   

The current exhibition in the Rare Book Department ’s Dietrich Gallery, entitled Philadelphia - The Changing City , offers a look at centuries’ worth of local transformations… continue reading

By Alina J.   January 18, 2019   

Maybe when they say November 17 is Take a Hike Day , they mean you’re supposed to tell someone on your nerves to go take a hike?! Hmmm. *shrug emoji* In any case, we figured it was a good… continue reading

By Kate C.   November 16, 2018   

Come and learn about Philadelphia's exciting, dynamic, and often forgotten history with a free guided tour of the  Philadelphia: The Changing City exhibition. The tour will be led by… continue reading

By Joe S.   November 5, 2018   

October 10 marks the opening of an exhibition that analyzes Philadelphia's growth across more than three centuries, presenting more than 80 rare and revelatory prints, photographs,… continue reading

By Janine P.   October 9, 2018   

The  Map Collection , a  Special Collection  at the Parkway Central Library , houses numerous resources for all types of research. The Map Collection has pictorial maps to inspire… continue reading

By Megan M.   July 26, 2018   

The Free Library’s map collection comprises thousands of maps focused on the development and history of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania. One particular map, the Plan of the City of… continue reading

By Megan M.   May 19, 2017    2

Last week’s deadly train derailment in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia was eerily similar to a crash that happened at the same junction on Labor Day in 1943. The 1943 accident… continue reading

By David N.   May 21, 2015   

Google recently announced updates to their Maps API script, with more updates planned this summer for their overall Maps platform. The Free Library uses this API to display Google Maps in various… continue reading

By Peter SM   May 21, 2013   

Another resource and ally in the Open Data movement (as I've written about in previous blog posts ) has popped up online as of last week: CultureBlocks.com . CultureBlocks is a free web-based… continue reading

By Peter SM   May 8, 2013   

Back in November 2012, Google updated its Maps service for browsers, as well as Android powered mobile phones and tablets, with indoor maps and floor plans of over 10,000 locations inlcuding… continue reading

By Peter SM   March 12, 2013   

Picking up from where we left off last week: What does Open Data mean for patrons and customers of the Free Library and what are some of the potential benefits and possibilities? If ever there was… continue reading

By Peter SM   December 4, 2012   

This is the first part in a multi-part series looking at tech news and issues relevant to the Free Library of Philadelphia’s customers and patrons. One of the more recent buzzwords gaining… continue reading

By Peter SM   November 27, 2012   

This morning the Techmobile hosted third graders from Reynolds School onboard for an overview of the Library’s electronic resources for children, and then did a hands-on activity using… continue reading

By Joel N.   May 1, 2012    1

     Although often called just "Sanborns" or "Sanborn Maps", the formal name of this series of maps is Sanborn Insurance Maps, and they're a combination of… continue reading

By Rich B.   May 2, 2011   

Step back in time and explore the Philadelphia of yesterday using the Free Library of Philadelphia's Historical Images of Philadelphia digital collection with Google Maps. A portion of our records… continue reading

By Jim L.   June 15, 2009    11