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Celebrating Transgender Day of Visibility

March 31 is International Transgender Day of Visibility, celebrating its 16th year. In 2009, Rachel Crandall-Crocker  decided to create a day to celebrate living transgender people as a positive counterpart to Transgender Day…

New Titles Coming to the Free Library in April

There are many new titles for all ages to explore this spring at the Free Library of Philadelphia! Young Children (up to 2nd Grade) Jollof Day by Bernard Mensah Early in the morning while the sun is still rising, a young boy wakes his…

Richmond Library Construction Updates

On this page, we will have roof and ceiling repair updates on the Richmond Library every two weeks until the library is reopened. The estimated date for the library’s reopening is summer 2025. March 26, 2025 - We apologize for the…

Resources for Displaced Federal Workers and Job Seekers

The Free Library Workplace Department provides programming and resources to help you through your job search or career transition. Here is a collection of resources from the Free Library and beyond for job-seeking support.  …

Rediscovering Sophie Drinker: A Pioneer in Women’s Music History

The Music Special Collections Department at the Free Library of Philadelphia holds three collections of music materials: the Edwin A. Fleisher Orchestral Music Collection , the Sheet Music Collection , and the Drinker Choral Collection…

Languages of Philadelphia: A Bilingual Family Storytime Series

Join us at Parkway Central Library for a special storytime series celebrating the many languages of Philadelphia! Each storytime in this series will be bilingual, highlighting different languages spoken in the city . These…

Free Library Board of Trustees Public Meeting on Friday, March 21 at 8:00 a.m.

The  Free Library Board of Trustees  will be holding its third meeting of FY25 on Friday, March 21, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. The meeting will be held in person virtually on Zoom. View the upcoming meeting agenda.…

Now on Display: Kurt Vonnegut Jr. As a Visual Artist

Philadelphia is now home to more than 20 rarely seen marker drawings by novelist Kurt Vonnegut  thanks to the efforts of local art collector, Heather Rose. Kurt Vonnegut’s artwork, like his writing, invites us to reflect on…

Learn a New Language While Watching TV With Lingopie

Learning a new language doesn't have to feel like a chore! The Free Library recently partnered with Lingopie — a language-learning platform that combines thousands of real TV shows and movies with built-in tools that turn…

Discover Your Options With Medicare Mondays

Questions about Medicare? Unsure about your benefits? Turning 65 soon? Attend  Medicare Mondays  to learn more about your options and find the best plan for you! Medicare Benefits Advisor Courtney Bell will be on hand at…

The Influential Women Behind These Philadelphia Library Names

The Free Library system comprises 54 neighborhood libraries throughout the city, many named after celebrated Philadelphians. While the branches have become household names to their respective patron bases, some remain in the…

Bilingual Spanish Storytime for Families: A Journey to Colombia

Get ready for an exciting adventure as we bring the magic of storytelling to life at our Family Bilingual Spanish/English Storytime ! As part of the Languages of Philadelphia series, this special event celebrates bilingualism, cultural…

New Titles Coming to the Free Library in March

These new titles can be checked out from the Library starting in March 2025! Young Children (up to 2nd Grade) Every Monday Mabel by Jawan Ashar Every Monday, Mabel wakes up early and peeks out her window to make sure she…

New Children's Picture Books for Ramadan

Ramadan, Islam’s holiest month, begins on February 28 this year. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Muslim lunar calendar and all over the world Muslim families celebrate with daily fasting and prayer. For families that…

Afrofuturism: Still Moving Black to the Future

Modern media can leave the impression that the African American experience, as depicted primarily in television and film, functions on a timeline illustrated as a backward-moving ray. Many of the stories are either contemporary,…

Black Histories of Philadelphia: Preserving Historical Sites

The exhibition  Black Histories of Philadelphia  observes the stories of people and places that make up Philadelphia’s countless histories. Some stories are kept, some fade over time, and others are…

Black Independent Comic Books and Philadelphia's Impact

Comic books and graphic novels are a dynamic and significant presence in the mainstream media. The number of films, television, and other media centered on and inspired by the illustrated pages and fantastic stories of comics…

Tips to Guide You This Tax Season

The 2024 IRS tax season has begun and IRS tax return paper forms are available at the Library. This year, the Free Library locations that participate in the IRS Tax Forms Outlet Program are receiving the following three tax…

Library Lovers' Day: In Your Own Words!

Love is in the air, and we’re not just talking about Valentine’s Day. February 14th is also Library Lovers’ Day! To celebrate, we’ve gathered some of our favorite comments from the outpouring of support we…

Warming Centers Open at Select Libraries on February 17, 2025

Residents can get out of the cold and into a heated space at a neighborhood library with access to books, computers, wireless internet, and other Free Library amenities. The following neighborhood library locations will serve as warming…

Resume Review with Dress For Success

Need to refresh your resume? We're excited to partner with  Dress for Success Greater Philadelphia  to offer resume review services and job search assistance on the first Thursday of each month! Resume review will be…

Artist Business Round Table

The round table is an open forum for artists to gather, collaborate, and share what has worked for them in selling their art. This is open to all artists, al mediums, and to any endeavors that might benefit the group. We will discuss a…

Treasures from the Literature Vault

Do you love old books? Then join us for Treasures from the Vault– a casual, hands-on book club program spotlighting items from the Literature vault! The vault, home to our closed reference collections, is a treasure trove of…

Resume Review with Dress For Success

Need to refresh your resume? We're excited to partner with  Dress for Success Greater Philadelphia  to offer resume review services and job search assistance on the first Thursday of each month! Resume review will be…

Bridging Blocks: A WHYY Community Conversation

This event will be held in Parkway Central's Skyline Room - please take the gold lobby elevators to the 4th Floor. Join WHYY News Community & Engagement team for ‘Bridging Blocks,’ a civic dialogue series…

Resume Review with Dress For Success

Need to refresh your resume? We're excited to partner with  Dress for Success Greater Philadelphia  to offer resume review services and job search assistance on the first Thursday of each month! Resume review will be…

Treasures from the Literature Vault

Do you love old books? Then join us for Treasures from the Vault– a casual, hands-on book club program spotlighting items from the Literature vault! The vault, home to our closed reference collections, is a treasure trove of…

Resume Review with Dress For Success

Need to refresh your resume? We're excited to partner with  Dress for Success Greater Philadelphia  to offer resume review services and job search assistance on the first Thursday of each month! Resume review will be…

Artist Business Round Table

The round table is an open forum for artists to gather, collaborate, and share what has worked for them in selling their art. This is open to all artists, al mediums, and to any endeavors that might benefit the group. We will discuss a…

MBAT Open Office Hours

The City of Philadelphia's Mayor's Business Action Team (MBAT) is here to answer your business questions! MBAT is the one-stop shop for Philadelphia business owners and entrepreneurs. We're partnering up to host…

Bridging Blocks: A WHYY Community Conversation

This event will be held in Parkway Central's Skyline Room - please take the gold lobby elevators to the 4th Floor. Join WHYY News Community & Engagement team for Bridging Blocks, a civic dialogue series in partnership…

Resume Review with Dress For Success

Need to refresh your resume? We're excited to partner with  Dress for Success Greater Philadelphia  to offer resume review services and job search assistance on the first Thursday of each month! Resume review will be…

Artist Business Round Table

The round table is an open forum for artists to gather, collaborate, and share what has worked for them in selling their art. This is open to all artists, al mediums, and to any endeavors that might benefit the group. We will discuss a…

Treasures from the Literature Vault

Do you love old books? Then join us for Treasures from the Vault– a casual, hands-on book club program spotlighting items from the Literature vault! The vault, home to our closed reference collections, is a treasure trove of…

Resume Review with Dress For Success

Need to refresh your resume? We're excited to partner with  Dress for Success Greater Philadelphia  to offer resume review services and job search assistance on the first Thursday of each month! Resume review will be…

Clark Park Storytime

Bring a blanket & snack and meet us at 43rd St. & Chester Ave. near the Clark Park playground for stories, songs, fun & bubbles! In case of rain, storytime will be held at the Walnut Street West library at 201 South 40th…

Clark Park Storytime

Bring a blanket & snack and meet us at 43rd St. & Chester Ave. near the Clark Park playground for stories, songs, fun & bubbles! In case of rain, storytime will be held at the Walnut Street West library at 201 South 40th…

MBAT Open Office Hours

The City of Philadelphia's Mayor's Business Action Team (MBAT) is here to answer your business questions! MBAT is the one-stop shop for Philadelphia business owners and entrepreneurs. We're partnering up to host…

Clark Park Storytime

Bring a blanket & snack and meet us at 43rd St. & Chester Ave. near the Clark Park playground for stories, songs, fun & bubbles! In case of rain, storytime will be held at the Walnut Street West library at 201 South 40th…

Resume Review with Dress For Success

Need to refresh your resume? We're excited to partner with  Dress for Success Greater Philadelphia  to offer resume review services and job search assistance on the first Thursday of each month! Resume review will be…

Moveable books

Pop-ups and other books with interactive elements

Oceanian Art

Art from the Pacific region, including Australasia, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia

Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania

Includes lists of Crews, Naturalization records, and

2024 Bram Stoker Awards Nominees

Each year, the Horror Writer’s Association presents the Bram Stoker Awards for Superior Achievement, named in honor of Bram Stoker, author of the seminal horror work, Dracula. The winners will be announced during the Annual Bram Stoker…

Curated by Photography Without Borders

These books were selected by the artists of Photography Without Borders to be displayed alongside their work in the exhibit of March-April 2025 (https://libwww.freelibrary.org/calendar/event/148546)

Value Line

Research, recommendations, rankings & financial information on 3,500 stocks, more than 2,000 mutual funds, as well as options, convertibles, & OTC special situations.

U.S. Congressional Serial Set (1817-1980)

The bound, sequentially numbered volumes of all the Reports, Documents, and Journals of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives constitutes a rich source of primary source material on all aspects of American history. Upon…

TumbleBooks

TumbleBooks is an online collection of animated, talking picture books which teach kids the joy of reading in a format they'll love. Check out our home user guide

Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy

The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy is an authoritative, comprehensive Web-based reference work about philosophy, useful to scholars of all levels as well as the general public. Published through Stanford University’s Center for the…

Smithsonian Global Sound for Libraries

With an extraordinary array of more than 35,000 individual tracks of streaming music, spoken word, and natural and human-made sounds, users can listen to performances by American folk icons such as Woody Guthrie, Lead Belly, Pete Seeger…

Slavery in America and the World: History, Culture, and Law

This HeinOnline collection brings together a multitude of essential legal materials on slavery in the U.S. and the English-speaking world. It includes nearly 2,000 titles, with every statute passed by every colony and state on slavery,…

SimplyAnalytics

A mapping and data visualization application that makes it easy to create interactive maps and reports using powerful demographic, business, and marketing data.

Fawn Weaver | Love & Whiskey: The Remarkable True Story of Jack Daniel, His Master Distiller Nearest Green, and the Improbable Rise of Uncle Nearest

The Author Events Series presents Fawn Weaver  | Love & Whiskey: The Remarkable True Story of Jack Daniel, His Master Distiller Nearest Green, and the Improbable Rise of Uncle Nearest  REGISTER In Conversation with Michelle Miller…

Laurie Woolever | Care and Feeding: A Memoir

The Author Events Series presents Laurie Woolever | Care and Feeding: A Memoir  REGISTER In Conversation with Reem Kassis In this moving, hilarious, and insightful memoir, Laurie Woolever traces her path from a small-town childhood to…

Chris Hayes | The Sirens’ Call

The Author Events Series presents Chris Hayes | The Sirens’ Call REGISTER   In Conversation with Kate Shaw We all feel it--the distraction, the loss of focus, the addictive focus on the wrong things for too long. We bump into the…

Marlene Daut | The First and Last King of Haiti

The Author Events Series presents Marlene Daut | The First and Last King of Haiti  REGISTER In Conversation with Grace Sanders Johnson Slave, revolutionary, traitor, king, and suicide, Henry Christophe was, in his time, popular and…

Judy Giesberg & Lee Hawkins | Last Seen: The Enduring Search by Formerly Enslaved People to Find Their Lost Families AND I Am Nobody's Slave: How Uncovering My Family's History Set Me Free

The Author Events Series presents Judy Giesberg & Lee Hawkins | Last Seen: The Enduring Search by Formerly Enslaved People to Find Their Lost Families AND I Am Nobody's Slave: How Uncovering My Family's History Set Me Free REGISTER In…

Brian Kelly | How to Win at Travel

The Author Events Series presents Brian Kelly | How to Win at Travel REGISTER In Conversation with Haley Sacks In How to Win at Travel, Brian Kelly shares his greatest tips and strategies to experience the world in ways you never…

Juan Williams | New Prize for These Eyes: The Rise of America's Second Civil Rights Movement

The Author Events Series presents Juan Williams | New Prize for These Eyes REGISTER In Conversation with Marsha Levick  In New Prize for These Eyes, award-winning author Juan Williams shines a light on this historic, new movement. Who…

Uché Blackstock | Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine

The Author Events Series presents Uché Blackstock  | Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine REGISTER In Conversation with Dr. Joel Bervell The rousing, captivating story of a Black physician, her career in medicine,…

Caroline Eden | Cold Kitchen: A Year of Culinary Travels

The Author Events Series presents Caroline Eden | Cold Kitchen: A Year of Culinary Travels REGISTER In Conversation with Jonathan Deutsch From the author of Red Sands, a New Yorker "Best Cookbook of the Year," a cozy, thoughtful memoir…

The Intertextual Self: New Approaches to the Memoir

The Author Events Series presents The Intertextual Self: New Approaches to the Memoir REGISTER Memoirists most often focus on the authenticity of their own voice and experience, and how best to render on the page the intersection of…

Bill Clinton | Citizen: My Life After the White House

The Author Events Series presents Bill Clinton | Citizen: My Life After the White House REGISTER In Conversation with Jonathan Capehart A powerful, candid, and richly detailed memoir from an American icon, revealing what life looks like…

Lori Ginzberg | Tangled Journeys

The Author Events Series presents Lori Ginzberg | Tangled Journeys  REGISTER In conversation with Tamala Edwards In 1830 Richard Walpole Cogdell, a husband, father, and bank clerk in Charleston, South Carolina, purchased a…

Andre Robert Lee | A Conversation with the Documentary Filmmaker and Author

The Author Events Series presents Andre Robert Lee | A Conversation with the Documentary Filmmaker and Author REGISTER In Conversation with Cherri Gregg André Robert Lee most recently served as the Executive Producer of Notes From…

Maira Kalman | Still Life with Remorse

From the critically acclaimed artist, designer, and author of the bestsellers The Principles of Uncertainty, My Favorite Things, and Women Holding Things comes a moving meditation in words and pictures on remorse, joy, ancestry, and…

Malcolm Gladwell | Revenge of the Tipping Point

Congregation Rodeph Shalom 615 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA  19123 Enter at 1339 Green Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123 The Author Events Series presents Malcolm Gladwell |  Revenge of the Tipping Point  REGISTER In conversation…

Paola Mendoza | Solis: A Companion to Sanctuary

The Author Events Series presents Paola Mendoza | Solis: A Companion to Sanctuary   REGISTER In conversation with AJ Hikes From the authors of Sanctuary comes a haunting near-future companion tale about undocumented immigrants subjected…

Francis Collins | The Road to Wisdom: On Truth, Science, Faith, and Trust

The Author Events Series presents Francis Collins |  The Road to Wisdom: On Truth, Science, Faith, and Trust REGISTER In conversation with Kathleen Hall Jamieson In  The Road to Wisdom , Francis Collins reminds us of the four core…

Carrie Rickey | A Complicated Passion, The Life and Work of Agnès Varda

The Author Events Series presents Carrie Rickey |  A Complicated Passion, The Life and Work of Agnès Varda  REGISTER In conversation with Gary Kramer Born in Los Angeles,  Carrie Rickey  is an award-winning film critic, art critic, and…

SOLD OUT! Melissa Fitzgerald and Mary McCormack | What's Next: A Backstage Pass to the West Wing

SOLD OUT The Author Events Series presents Melissa Fitzgerald & Mary McCormack |  What's Next: A Backstage Pass to the West Wing  REGISTER WHAT’S NEXT: A Backstage Pass to The West Wing, Its Cast and Crew, and Its Enduring Legacy of…

Daniel Schlozman and Sam Rosenfeld | The Hollow Parties: The Many Pasts and Disordered Present of American Party Politics

In conversation with author and Pennsylvania State Senator, Nikil Saval In The Hollow Parties , Daniel Schlozman and Sam Rosenfeld present a comprehensive history of the rise of American mass party politics through the Jacksonian era up…

Anime and Manga

In Japanese, the word "anime" simply refers to all animation. Outside of Japan, the term "anime" refers specifically to Japanese animation. Anime comes in a wide variety of genres and encompasses both film and television animation. It…

Asian Americans

Asian American resources for teens, cultural traditions and celebrations, biographies on famous Asian Americans, history of different Asian ethnic groups in America, lesson plans for teachers to explore a variety of Asian cultures, Asian…

Black History Month

In celebration of Black History Month and African American History as a whole, explore our history and culture resources including famous African Americans from Philadelphia, essential reading lists, information about the Harlem…

Black Lives Matter

The #BlackLivesMatter movement began in 2013 after a jury acquitted the armed civilian who murdered seventeen-year-old Trayvon Martin. Though activists and organizers have resisted the long history of police and state-sanctioned…

Computer Skills

Do you feel comfortable using a computer or navigating the Internet? The links and resources below may be able to help you get started. Learn basic computer skills and tablet skills. Find easy instructions on surfing the Internet. Build…

Digital Media Guide

Borrowing ebooks and audiobooks, downloading podcasts, and streaming media such as movies, music, and even comic books, from Free Library has never been easier. In this guide, we'll offer tips and information to get you started or…

Fix It Yourself

Resources on how to do your own repairs on everyday items: Grab the scissors for sewing projects, drapery, upholstery, or even a haircut! View a list of do it yourself videos and tackle some of those household chores on your to-do list!…

Genealogy

This series of guides, web links, book lists, and resources will introduce you to the genealogical resources available through the Free Library of Philadelphia and to other important libraries and archives throughout the Philadelphia…

Graphic Novels

Graphic novels are, simply defined, book-length comics. Sometimes they tell a single, continous narrative from first page to last; sometimes they are collections of shorter stories or individual comic strips. Comics are sequential visual…

Green Living

Green living allows you to become an everyday environmentalist. Practitioners of sustainable living often attempt to reduce their carbon footprint by altering methods of transportation, energy consumption, and diet. Go green with these…

Grimm

Explore the world of the Brothers Grimm and their legendary tales.

Health

What are your health questions? The Free Library can connect you with resources to help you live a healthier lifestyle, including research tools, cooking classes, resources to help you quit smoking or increase your exercise, and…

Job Seekers

The Free Library supports job seekers within the Business Resource and Innovation Center (BRIC). We provide current information and resources on changing careers, job searching techniques, and emerging employment fields to help career…

LGBTQ

The Free Library of Philadelphia celebrates LGBTQ+ Pride Month in June with book and film recommendations and events for all ages. Through this Explore Topic, you can also find local and national LGBTQ+ resources and support that…

Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr. was the leading voice of the American Civil Rights Movement, which fought for equal rights for all. He was famous for using nonviolent resistance to overcome injustice, and he never tired of trying to end…

Medieval Manuscripts

Are you interested in learning more about the history of people who lived in Europe between 500 and 1500 A.D.? Below you can find helpful information for your research or check out our Medieval Manuscript Digital Collection with over…

Personal Finance

The Free Library supports the economic well-being and financial interests of patrons. We provide current information and resources on a variety of topics such as budgeting, homeownership, credit repair, and investing. Through the explore…

Poetry

Poetry in all its forms including classic selections from our Literature Department, Haikus, poetry for children, and poetry with special appeal for tweens and teens. Read poets from diverse cultures and in other languages, as well as…

Returning Citizens

"Returning citizens" refers to groups of people who have been incarcerated and are regaining their lives as free citizens. Returning citizens may require aid including, but not limited to, supplies for basic needs, housing, legal…

STEM

An acronym referring to the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics fields of study. The term was created for schools from kindergarten through college to improve competitiveness in learning and workforce development. "Science"…

Voting and Elections

Discover information on voter registration, elections, and the different ways to cast your ballot in Pennsylvania. You'll also find comprehensive guides on understanding your rights as a voter, tips for researching candidates and issues,…