Tagged community
10 Neighborhood Free Library Branches Will Be Open on Saturdays
The Free Library of Philadelphia is thrilled to announce Saturday hours at 10 of our neighborhood library branches. Beginning Saturday, February 25, 2023 , the following branches will be open from 10:00 AM–5:00 PM (with the…
National First Responders Day
It’s National First Responders Day! Every day is a great opportunity to honor the people in our community who have dedicated their lives to helping others in times of distress. These people are invaluable to society, and they…
National Civics Day
A few years ago, I had a bit of a crazy thought. In 2020, I considered running for office in my town. I didn’t know how far I should aim. Mayor? Councilwoman? I felt I needed to get involved. I felt some of the decisions that were…
The Big Deal about Small Art: No Small Artists, Only Small Artworks
Little Free Libraries have been around since the early 2000’s and many are familiar with their communal “leave a book, take a book” nature. In 2016, Portland artists Erinn Kathryn and Jen LaMastra created the Little…
Let's Talk: Philly D.A.
Philadelphians, we need to talk! Join your neighbors at eight Free Library of Philadelphia libraries between May 23 and June 30th, to watch and discuss individual episodes of the award winning PBS documentary series Philly D.A. . We…
Get Ready: 2026 Starts Now!
In 2026, the country will commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence. All eyes will be on Philadelphia as we recognize the historic events that occurred here in 1776. The Free Library of Philadelphia is proud to be a…
In Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
On January 17, our nation commemorates the 27th Annual National Day of Service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s work and legacy. Dr. King’s part in the Civil Rights Movement is well-documented. Alongside his wife…
Nourishing Literacy | Planting Story Seeds with Madame Marie and Her Magic Garden
Nourish your literacy by creating stories from scratch—with a seed starter! Chrissy loves to read, write, and tell stories. Her suggested steps for creating folklore were offered back when she was Talking About Tomatoes ! The…
Giving Back for the Holidays
It can be difficult to get into the holiday spirit in the midst of so much confusion, fear, and grief. Children and adults alike may find ourselves feeling sad at the loss of a loved one, of normalcy and routines, or of beloved…
Free Library and Rebuild: Building Stronger Communities One Park, Recreation Center, and Library at a Time
Free Library staff recently took the time to chat and answer some of our Library-specific Rebuild questions. Read their insights and enthusiasm about what Rebuild (Rebuilding Community Infrastructure) will bring to select libraries in…
COVID-19 Vaccine Approved for Children and Available in Philadelphia
The FDA has approved a COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11—just in time for the holidays! The holiday season is usually a time for family and friends to gather and share food and fun. For the past year and a half, however,…
Free Library Partners with WHYY to Bring Communities Together
WHYY and the Free Library of Philadelphia are working together to make it a little easier to have difficult conversations. Bridging Blocks: Uniting Neighborhoods Through Conversation is a three-year initiative that will gather…
A Summer of Service: What I Learned on Philly's Play Streets
Marian Sosa spent the summer volunteering for the Free Library, with Youth Services , the Summer of Wonder , and on Philadelphia's Play Streets . Here is what she had to say about her experience... Summer in the streets of…
Hispanic Heritage Month Begins!
Hispanic Heritage Month is a celebration of Hispanic heritage and culture through festivals, cuisine, cultural events, and art, encompassing people of various races, ethnicities, nationalities, and traditions across Spanish-speaking…
A Space for Civic Dialogue
In order to boldly move forward our mission to advance literacy, guide learning, and inspire curiosity the Free Library must hold with great fidelity a space for dialogue, a space for nuance, and a space free of hate. The Free Library…
Join the Cobbs Creek Library for a Community Fair!
As Philadelphia students gear up to return to school at the end of the month, we hope you’ll join the Blanche A. Nixon/Cobbs Creek Library on Friday, August 27 from 12:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. for a Community Fair . The Community…
Support Digital Equity by Taking the Philadelphia Household Internet Assessment Survey
Want to help the City of Philadelphia close the digital divide and assist residents with affordable internet access? All you have to do is pick up your phone! The Philadelphia Household Internet Assessment is a…
Exploring the Neighborhood: Virtual Adventures in Community Asset Mapping
This blog post was written by Jeanette Coppinger, Digital Resource Specialist for Lovett Memorial Library. Jeanette was a member of Cohort 10 of the Skills for Community-Centered Libraries training program. The timing of my cohort for…
Celebrating Immigrant Heritage Month this June!
This June we are commemorating Immigrant Heritage Month to celebrate the incredible diversity, beauty, and strength of immigrant communities in Philadelphia! Throughout the month, the City of Philadelphia's Office of Immigrant…
Baking with Becca: Cooking Outside the Box... Cinnamon Apple Cake
Becca at Whitman Library This week we are making Cinnamon Apple Cake ! I was inspired by our first recipe and blog post for Apple Yogurt Cake , but I was not content. I wanted it moister and needed to try another recipe to get me…