Tagged Literacy
Jumpstart Camp: Free Back to School Prep
It may feel like the summer only just began, but we at the Free Library are already prepping for back to school and the arrival of our Jumpstart Camp program. Jumpstart is a three-week camp that meets on Mondays through Thursdays from…
Meet Greg Pizzoli, Our Summer of Wonder Artist
You may know him as the recipient of multiple Theodor Seuss Geisel Awards . You may know him as the author of such great books as The Watermelon Seed , Good Night Owl , and Number One Sam . Now you can add "Free Library of…
Summer of Wonder Kickoff at Parkway Central!
This week, the Free Library of Philadelphia celebrated the start of Summer of Wonder , our summer reading program, with an annual kickoff event featuring special guest visits and a whole bunch of fun activities at Parkway Central .…
Sunday Literacy Program Year In Review!
On Sunday, May 21, the Free Library’s Sunday Literacy Program ended its pilot year with a Family Celebration program at the eleven libraries hosting Sunday Literacy. At the Family Celebration, the participating children…
Welcome to the Summer of Wonder!
It’s starting to feel like summer here at the Free Library of Philadelphia. And with the start to the best season of the year, we’re excited for three months of activities, games, dancing, crafting, and, of course, reading!…
Free Library Prison Services Success
We are thrilled that Stories Alive , a partnership between the Free Library Prison Services program and the Philadelphia Department of Prisons, has been successfully up and running for more than a year. The program helps…
Free Library Expands Sunday Literacy Program at Select Neighborhood Libraries
The Free Library of Philadelphia is excited to expand our Sunday Literacy program, now at eleven of our neighborhood libraries ! This program offers drop-in assistance to students struggling to read in 1st through 3rd grades. Continuing…
Focus On: Free Library Prison Services
by Ned Scharff A little boy gazes into a Free Library video screen when suddenly a familiar face appears—that of the boy's father, an inmate in a Philadelphia prison. "Dad," the boy exclaims, "Where are you? I…
Free Library Launches Sunday Literacy Program at Select Neighborhood Libraries
The Free Library of Philadelphia is excited to pilot a new Sunday Literacy program at five of our neighborhood libraries. This program offers drop-in assistance to students struggling to read in 1st through 3rd grades. Beginning Sunday,…
Teen Read Week Is Upon Us!
It’s that time of year again—the beginning of fall when temperatures start to fall and the pumpkin spice must flow. That means it’s almost Teen Read Week —the week of the year with no forced reading for…
Celebrate International Literacy Day with the Free Library
Happy International Literacy Day ! While everyone knows libraries are literacy hubs, many might not know the different types of literacy the Free Library of Philadelphia helps to promote! Not sure what we're talking about? Here…
Summer Reading Grand Prize Results & Reading with the Phillies
After 13 weeks of learning, building, playing, dancing, and reading all across Philadelphia, we've reached the end of this year's Summer Reading program! Our last weekly raffle winners have been announced and our grand prize…
Social Justice Symposium for Teens – Register Now!
Parkway Central is hosting a Social Justice Symposium for Teens on Monday, August 29th and if you are a high school student who is passionate about your Philadelphia community and care about issues such as racism, inequality, or…
Harry Potter for Summer Reading!
Alohomora! The newest installment of the spectacularly popular Harry Potter series has just been released and it’s getting rave reviews from everyone who’s picked up a copy. Since it’s still summertime, we at the Free…
Online Summer Reading is Still Going Strong!
The Free Library’s Summer Reading program in our neighborhood libraries is coming to a close after a super successful season of game playing, dancing, reading, and much more! Having celebrated literacy with kids of all ages, we…
Summer Reading Outreach: Who’s Who on Our Team
The Free Library of Philadelphia Summer Reading team has eleven Outreach Specialists this year assigned to different neighborhoods across the city. With the goal of promoting literacy while school is out of session, the Outreach…
Tackling Tough Topics in Classroom Conversation
How can literacy be used for social change? At the recent International Literacy Association conference in Boston, this question was addressed at an impromptu session for literacy specialists and coaches. Recent tragedies, such as the…
Our Summer of Wonder is Halfway Over...
We’re halfway through our Summer of Wonder here at the Free Library of Philadelphia, and we’re hearing lots of success stories from our neighborhood libraries across the city. Here are a few highlights and photos! Mayor Jim…
Summer's Here!: A Recap of our Summer Reading Kickoff
By Becky Friedman and Ann Pearson Summer officially began on Monday, June 20th, but the Free Library’s Summer Reading Program has already been in full swing! We kicked off our Summer of Wonder at Parkway Central Library with…
Stories Alive Connects Incarcerated Parents and Their Families Through Reading
In December, the Free Library announced an impactful pilot program and partnership with the Philadelphia Prison System (PPS). We are pleased to report that our focused effort to reach out to inmates, returning citizens, and their…
Preschool Storytime with Miss Leigh!
Stories, songs and movement activities for children ages 2 - 5 and their caregivers. Younger siblings are always welcome. Free; no reservations required. Children's Department Story Hour Room *Programs are subject to…
Baby & Toddler Story Time
Books, songs, rhymes and bounces for children (birth to 23 months) and their caregivers!. Monday at 11 a.m. Parkway Central Library Children's Department Ground Floor, 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 215.686.5369…
Preschool Storytime with Miss Leigh!
Stories, songs and movement activities for children ages 2 - 5 and their caregivers. Younger siblings are always welcome. Free; no reservations required. Children's Department Story Hour Room *Programs are subject to…
Baby & Toddler Story Time
Books, songs, rhymes and bounces for children (birth to 23 months) and their caregivers!. Monday at 11 a.m. Parkway Central Library Children's Department Ground Floor, 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 215.686.5369…
Preschool Storytime with Miss Leigh!
Stories, songs and movement activities for children ages 2 - 5 and their caregivers. Younger siblings are always welcome. Free; no reservations required. Children's Department Story Hour Room *Programs are subject to…
Baby & Toddler Story Time
Books, songs, rhymes and bounces for children (birth to 23 months) and their caregivers!. Monday at 11 a.m. Parkway Central Library Children's Department Ground Floor, 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 215.686.5369…
Preschool Storytime with Miss Leigh!
Stories, songs and movement activities for children ages 2 - 5 and their caregivers. Younger siblings are always welcome. Free; no reservations required. Children's Department Story Hour Room *Programs are subject to…
Baby & Toddler Story Time
Books, songs, rhymes and bounces for children (birth to 23 months) and their caregivers!. Monday at 11 a.m. Parkway Central Library Children's Department Ground Floor, 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 215.686.5369…
Storytime
Join us for stories and more! For children, infant through 5, and their caregivers.
Summertime Storytimes
Celebrate Summer with tropical books, rhymes and songs. For children of all ages. Young children must be accompanied by an adult care-giver.
Preschool Storytime with Miss Leigh!
Stories, songs and movement activities for children ages 2 - 5 and their caregivers. Younger siblings are always welcome. Free; no reservations required. Children's Department Story Hour Room *Programs are subject to…
Baby & Toddler Story Time
Books, songs, rhymes and bounces for children (birth to 23 months) and their caregivers!. Monday at 11 a.m. Parkway Central Library Children's Department Ground Floor, 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 215.686.5369…
Storytime
Join us for stories and more! For children, infant through 5, and their caregivers.
Family Storytime
Bring the whole family out for storytime at the library.
Preschool Storytime with Miss Leigh!
Stories, songs and movement activities for children ages 2 - 5 and their caregivers. Younger siblings are always welcome. Free; no reservations required. Children's Department Story Hour Room *Programs are subject to…
Baby & Toddler Story Time
Books, songs, rhymes and bounces for children (birth to 23 months) and their caregivers!. Monday at 11 a.m. Parkway Central Library Children's Department Ground Floor, 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 215.686.5369…
Storytime
Join us for stories and more! For children, infant through 5, and their caregivers.
Family Storytime
Bring the whole family out for storytime at the library.
Summertime Storytimes
Celebrate Summer with tropical books, rhymes and songs. For children of all ages. Young children must be accompanied by an adult care-giver.
Preschool Storytime with Miss Leigh!
Stories, songs and movement activities for children ages 2 - 5 and their caregivers. Younger siblings are always welcome. Free; no reservations required. Children's Department Story Hour Room *Programs are subject to…
TumbleBooks
TumbleBooks is an online collection of animated, talking picture books which teach kids the joy of reading in a format they'll love.
Overdrive Kid's eReading Room
Ebooks and audiobooks from Overdrive for young readers.
BookFlix *
Bookflix pairs classic storybooks with related nonfiction books - all in streaming format - to build a love of reading and learning.