Join the Free Library this holiday season at Philadelphia’s authentic German Christmas market, presented by Bank of America! Christmas Village will light up LOVE Park and City Hall from Thanksgiving (November 23) until Christmas Eve (December 24). Everyone is invited to experience the charm of a traditional German holiday… continue reading Storytimes at Christmas Village and More Holiday Fun
By written by Emily S. November 27, 2023
Read, Baby, Read at the Free Library knows that early childhood matters! We also know that from day one, you want to set the stage for your baby’s lifelong learning, happiness, and success. We are delighted to kick off this blog series that will introduce (or re-introduce!) you to the Read, Baby, Read program while offering evidence-based… continue reading Read, Baby, Read: The Power of Talk For Nurturing Your Baby's Brain
By written by Kimberly G. September 12, 2023
Books are an opportunity to celebrate cultures, share traditions, and travel around the world! They are also an avenue to learn a new language, share your favorite recipes, and become familiar with new animals native to different countries. Listening to the stories and why they are being told reflects the necessity to tell our own stories.… continue reading Celebrating Immigrant Heritage Month with Coquíes and Plátanos
By written by Mary Marques June 1, 2023
It’s the most wonderful time of the year again, and that means Santa will soon be returning to LOVE Park for Christmas Village for festive seasonal storytimes for the whole family to enjoy! From November 24–December 24, 2022 , experience the traditional German American open-air Christmas market, presented by Bank of America. This… continue reading Storytime at Christmas Village Returns!
By written by Emily S. November 28, 2022
The holiday season is upon us and what better way to celebrate than by bringing your little ones to a storytime at Christmas Village , Philadelphia’s authentic German Christmas market! The Free Library will be returning to the Christmas Village stage, located in LOVE Park , for weekly family storytimes, starting in December! Join us every… continue reading Christmas Village Storytimes are Back this Holiday Season!
By written by Sheila O. November 29, 2021 1
If you have been to the Lovett Memorial Library recently, you have likely seen the Black Lives Matter book walk prominently displayed in its park. The idea came from Lisa Browne of Colorful Stories . Following the racial justice movements last summer, Browne wrote a short story that developed into her idea to create a book walk that children… continue reading Lovett Library's Book Walk Continues the Conversation on Race
By written by Dana G. June 23, 2021 2
For Pride Month this year, we’re highlighting one of the most entertaining programs that we offer— Drag Queen Storytime ! I interviewed Ian Morrison (a.k.a. Brittany Lynn) and Amy Ignatow, a local author and parent. Together, they discuss the importance of these storytimes and what makes them so fabulous. Kamilah: Thank you both for… continue reading Spotlight on Drag Queen Storytime
By written by Kamilah C. June 9, 2021
As part of our ongoing series of blog posts highlighting our awesome staff throughout the Free Library of Philadelphia, today we take some time to speak with Sunita Balija, who is a Children's Librarian at Donatucci Library in South Philadelphia. Her boundless energy and creative spirit are evident whether she is helping a… continue reading Meet Your Library Staff: Sunita Balija, Children's Librarian and South Indian Classical Vocalist
By written by Peter SM December 4, 2020
Happy Diwali Season! At Donatucci Library , we will be celebrating the Indian Festival of Lights on Friday, November 13, at 3:00 p.m. with stories, songs, crafts, and a stroll through our decorated garden! Diwali, or Deepavali, falls on November 14 this year according to the Hindu religious calendar. The name comes from the Sanksrit word… continue reading Celebrate Diwali, the Indian Festival of Lights!
By written by Sunita B. November 10, 2020
The Latin American Book Fair , in partnership with the Culinary Literacy Center , will be presenting Language Through My Kitchen: Latin Cuisine , during a virtual event broadcast on Facebook on Friday, October 16, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m . The idea of this project is to explore the origins of culinary ingredients and to provide the… continue reading Language Through My Kitchen: Latin Cuisine
By written by Mary Marques October 8, 2020
Thor and Loki aren’t just characters in the Marvel Universe —they are prominent figures in Norse Mythology, which includes the myths of Scandinavia from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Did you know Philadelphia is home to the oldest Swedish Museum in the United States? The American Swedish Historical Museum , founded in 1925, is… continue reading Virtual Scandinavian Storytelling: Gnomes, Trolls, and Giants—Oh My!
By written by Echo P. August 6, 2020 1
Something I love about storytelling is the way it brings people together. That is the very reason it can be hard to come by in our current world of social distancing. Many storytellers, including some of our wonderful librarians, have moved their storytimes to a virtual space and discovered creative new ways to connect readers to books in all… continue reading Take a Story Stroll and Enjoy a Book in a Brand New Way!
By written by Rachel R. August 3, 2020 1
There’s no doubt that this pandemic has turned all of our lives upside down. For those of us with young kids, it means interrupted routines and the increased need for at-home stimulation and entertainment. My daughter Yuri is a cheerful and energetic 8-month-old. Her personality is blossoming and she’s becoming increasingly mobile.… continue reading Shake Things Up with Baby at Home!
By written by Leigh U. May 7, 2020
We miss being with our library friends for in-person visits, but until our neighborhood libraries open again, we’re excited to bring you some of your favorite offerings online! That’s right, our staff has taken to a variety of platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Crowdcast, and Zoom! – to bring you some of your… continue reading Find Online Events with Our New Virtual Program Listings!
By written by Kate C. April 15, 2020 8
**Upated to reflect new virtual programs on March 26 at 3:23 p.m.** While we’re sad that our buildings are closed for now , our Free Library librarians and staff members are taking some of your favorite programs online until we can all get together in person again! Check out some of the activities that are planned… continue reading Join the Free Library for Online Storytimes and Virtual Activities!
By written by Kate C. March 23, 2020 7
The Free Library is reading around town! Find a Free Library storyteller at the Christmas Village , the RiverRink Winterfest , and as always, Reading Terminal Market . Children, families, and classrooms are welcome at our citywide storytimes throughout the winter season. Christmas Village The Christmas Village is lighting up Center City this… continue reading Winter Storytimes at the Free Library
By written by Gennifer R. December 9, 2019 1
Philadelphia is soon to be lit up with the awe-inspiring glee of the opening of the annual Christmas Village, presented by Bank of America and located in LOVE Park. The open-air German Christmas market is decorated for the holiday season and filled with storytimes, children’s activities, vendors, and live music. This year, the Free… continue reading Welcome in the Winter Season with Free Library Storytimes at the Christmas Village!
By written by Gennifer R. December 2, 2019
"A community is healthy when relationships are felt deeply, when there are histories of trust, a shared sense of mutual belonging, norms of mutual commitments, habits of mutual assistance, and real affection from one heart and soul to another." — David Brooks , author of The Second Mountain . Overview of South… continue reading Book Fiesta Strives to Connect Libraries and Communities in South Philadelphia!
By written by Mary Marques October 8, 2019 1
What’s better than a fun Free Library storytime with your little one? How about a fun Free Library storytime complete with some of Philly’s most iconic eats just steps away? That’s right! On the first Wednesday morning of each month, the Free Library partners with our friends at Reading Terminal Market for a storytime in the… continue reading Join the Free Library for a Storytime in Reading Terminal Market!
By written by Kate C. April 18, 2019 3
¡Hola! My name is Mary and I will be your host on this extraordinary adventure. We will be flying for eight hours from the United States to one of the most historic countries in South America : Peru . With our imagination, we will be departing from the Philadelphia International Airport —of course, we will need to follow all… continue reading The World Traveling Trunk viaja a Sudamérica: ¡Bienvenido a Perú!
By written by Mary Marques March 15, 2019
