Our Five Senses , a new exhibition in Parkway Central Library's Dietrich Gallery opened last month, and we have the honor of sitting down with some of the authors and illustrators… continue reading

By Chris B.   June 14, 2019    1

Take a free tour of Our 5 Senses , a fully-interactive exhibition that connects the science of the senses with the mind and the literary experience. Tours begin at 3:00 p.m.and finish at… continue reading

By Joe S.   May 30, 2019   

In a recent CNN article  titled, "Why touching art is so tempting — and exciting," Fiona Candlin, a professor of museology at Birkbeck College in London and author… continue reading

By Joe S.   May 28, 2019   

In preparation for the opening of Our Five Senses , a new exhibition running now through November 2 in Parkway Central Library's Dietrich Gallery , we've had the honor of sitting down with… continue reading

By Chris B.   May 14, 2019   

What do you think of when you hear the words "May Day"? (And no, I don’t mean the distress call "mayday," which comes from m’aidir , French for "help… continue reading

By Clare F.   May 1, 2019   

On May 13, the Free Library's Special Collections Division will present Our Five Senses , the first family friendly, fully-interactive exhibition at the Free Library. The exhibition connects… continue reading

By Chris B.   April 29, 2019    5

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    5

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