Joe Shemtov is a Special Collections Coordinator and Primary Source Specialist, and a participant in Cohort 1 of the Skills for Community-Centered Libraries trainings.  In October. I had the… continue reading

By Community-Centered Libraries   March 18, 2019    6

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   

The late and great Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell once sang, "Ain’t nothing like the real thing baby." These words hold true for how to best experience our material culture. People… continue reading

By Joe S.   January 7, 2019    1

Tomorrow is National Bird Day and it's making me reflect on my connection with birds and nature in general. I’ve never been able to have a relationship with birds growing up in the city.… continue reading

By Kamilah C.   January 4, 2019   

“Tell me and I forget.Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” - Xun Kuang, philosopher   Imagine trying to learn to knit. Would you learn best by reading a book about… continue reading

By Community-Centered Libraries   December 6, 2018    1

One of the most popular items in the Rare Book Department that resonates with visitors the world over is not what you would expect. It is not a rare manuscript or a printed book from one of our… continue reading

By Joe S.   December 3, 2018    4

Now more than ever , students and teachers at our schools need the information and skills that librarians and libraries can provide. This year, the Free Library is working to spread the word about… continue reading

By Jess P.   October 26, 2018   

What do food and books have in common? I can certainly name three things: They are organic, can grow mold, and can be preserved. Those three things were key elements to a lesson taught to third… continue reading

By Paul M.   October 17, 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   

For many, the month of October can conjure up a glorification of gore. Here at the Free Library’s Culinary Literacy Center , we are taking a bit of a different approach and beginning a… continue reading

By Suzanna U.   October 5, 2018   

The Free Library’s popular rooftop beer garden series, Brews & Views , held in conjunction with Brûlée Catering , is headed back to the Parkway Central Library for a… continue reading

By Kate C.   September 28, 2018   

Hypnosis, using its power to heal or influence others, has captured our public imagination long ago. It is a popular and often misunderstood technique that has been used for a variety of things,… continue reading

By Joe S.   September 21, 2018   

In a world of "fake news" and "alternate truths", the importance of critical thinking is more important than ever. Educators and librarians have replaced old-school teaching… continue reading

By Joe S.   September 12, 2018   

The summer is coming to a close (though someone obviously forgot to tell the weather!) and with that, several exhibitions at the Free Library will soon be winding down. Don’t worry!… continue reading

By Kate C.   September 11, 2018   

Philadelphians and people worldwide will eventually be able to view and download entire Islamic manuscripts, consisting of both images and texts, from the Free Library of Philadelphia’s… continue reading

By Joe S.   September 5, 2018   

A recent article and video at the University of Pennsylvania's  Penn Today highlights the work taking place to digitize all of the medieval manuscripts at Philadelphia area… continue reading

By Janine P.   August 20, 2018   

Want to explore the outdoors? Start inside—here at the Free Library! Now through September 15, the Free Library of Philadelphia, with an exciting new exhibition and programs, is your pathway… continue reading

By Kalela W.   August 2, 2018    2

Badum-bum… All bad puns aside, today is Herman Melville's birthday (his 199th – next year will be a big one!) and the Free Library is paying tribute to the American Homer! Our… continue reading

By Kate C.   August 1, 2018   

For the past 25 years, America’s birthplace (Philly, of course!) has celebrated America’s birthday (July 4, of course!) with Wawa Welcome America – a multi-day festival of FREE… continue reading

By Kate C.   June 19, 2018   

When I first found out that we had a James Bond collection in the Rare Book Department , I was so surprised. James Bond amongst medieval manuscripts and cuneiform tablets—how the heck did… continue reading

By Karen K.   May 16, 2018    3