Tagged
The 2023 Youth Media Award Winners Are Here!
Just announced this week from LibLearnX in New Orleans, we give you the Youth Media Awards ! This highly esteemed collection of outstanding books, audiobooks, and materials for children and young adults is honored annually…
Tax Season 2023: Here’s All You Need to Know Before Filing
2022 IRS Tax Return Updates and Paper Form Availability at the Library The IRS tax season has begun. If you are used to picking up paper tax forms at your local library, you will notice a few changes. The Internal Revenue Service is not…
Black History Month for Kids and Families
Welcome to Black History Month! The theme of this year’s annual celebration is Black Resistance , an acknowledgement of the continued fight against historic and on-going oppression. Join the Free Library to celebrate Black…
New Titles Coming to the Free Library in February!
It may be chilly outside, but the Free Library has some titles to warm you up this month! Young Children (up to 2nd Grade) You So Black by Theresa Tha S.O.N.G.B.I.R.D. Based on Theresa Wilson’s (a.k.a. Theresa…
Picture Book Highlights | Underwear!
When looking for funny books to read aloud, one can’t go wrong with books about underwear. It’s undeniable that kids love stories about underwear; there’s something light and playful about undergarments that…
Buy Honey Harvested from the Free Library Apiary and Support the Culinary Literacy Center!
The Culinary Literacy Center is all abuzz about one of its most special projects: making honey! A little known fact about Parkway Central Library is that we have an apiary, otherwise known as a collection of honeybee hives, on the…
The HistoryMakers: Enjoy African American History On-Demand
Using your library card, you can now enjoy Black history in the oral tradition via The HistoryMakers Digital Archive : the largest video archive of African American history spanning from the 1700s to the present day. This special…
All the Historic Black Newspapers Available Online With Your Library Card
What better way to learn about Black history than through the lens of Black news sources, as written and published by the African American journalists of yesterday? The Free Library is pleased to highlight a digital resource…
Picture Book Highlights | Happy Lunar New Year!
It’s a brand-new year and a new celebration is getting near: Chinese New Year. It is also called Lunar New Year because the festivities fall from the first new moon to the next full moon. This year the fun starts on Sunday,…
Kanopy is Back!
The Free Library is very pleased to announce the return of Kanopy, the popular on-demand video streaming service that The New York Times has called, "a garden of cinematic delights." Kanopy PLUS, including…
Start Your 2023 Career Goals with Free Virtual Career Workshops!
Do your New Year's Resolutions include getting a new job, pivoting to a new field, or learning some new skills? Check out upcoming virtual career workshops for jobseekers at the Free Library, brought to you by…
New York Times Electronic Access Workaround - UPDATED
Updated - Online access to the New York Times has now been restored. Please review the steps needed to access the New York Times online with your library card . Editor's Note: This post was originally published November 21, 2022.…
New Titles Coming to the Free Library in January!
It may be chilly outside, but the Free Library has some titles to warm you up this month! Young Children (up to 2nd Grade) A Sweet New Year for Ren by Michelle Sterling; illustrated by Dung Ho Little Ren looks forward to the preparation…
Dena's Favorite Books of 2022
Welcome to Year 11 of my annual list of favorite books and the third year of pandemic reading! I've started getting my reading mojo back and have been spending a bit more time reading than watching tv this year—268 books read…
What's Your New Year's Resolution for 2023?
We're about to embark on a new year, and even if you're not a New Year's Resolution person, you might view this time of year - and the turning of the calendar - as a chance to evaluate goals for the next 12…
Picture Book Highlights | Winter
The days are shorter and the temperatures have dropped. It's offcial, winter is here. It's time to bundle up, time to go out for brisk walks and nice hot chocolate. It is also a great time to cozy up at home with some great…
Resources and Services for Nonprofits at the Free Library
The Free Library offers many unique resources and services, from musical instruments and cake pans to headshots and cooking classes . But did you know that the Free Library also offers free…
Introducing: Philadelphia Business Journal Online
The Business Resource and Innovation Center at the Free Library is excited to announce that Philadelphia Business Journal Online is now available to all library patrons! This valuable resource provides the latest updates on…
2022 Book Awards by Central Children’s Department Librarians
Which were the best books you read this year? The children’s librarians at Parkway Central Children’s Department have all the extremely specific book awards you never knew you needed! Miss Liz’s Awards Elizabeth…
Wintertime Fun at the Free Library
The winter season is upon us, and we're excited to spend it with you! Read on for some great ideas for family-friendly fun when the temperature starts to drop. Winter Reading Challenge There’s nothing like curling up with a…
Credit & Real Estate Today
Join us for a FREE monthly workshop presented by Premisien Credit Counseling and Genuine Property Solutions Real Estate. December Business Credit – Major Lending Real Estate- Commercial Real Estate 101
Credit & Real Estate Today
Join us for a FREE monthly workshop presented by Premisien Credit Counseling and Genuine Property Solutions Real Estate. November Business Credit – Major Credit Cards Real Estate- Understanding Mixed-Use…
Credit & Real Estate Today
Join us for a FREE monthly workshop presented by Premisien Credit Counseling and Genuine Property Solutions Real Estate. October Business Credit – Merchant Accounts Real Estate- 101 of Hard Money Lending November …
Credit & Real Estate Today
Join us for a FREE monthly workshop presented by Premisien Credit Counseling and Genuine Property Solutions Real Estate. September Business Credit – Vendor Accounts Real Estate- So You Want to Invest in Real Estate!…
Philly Typewriter: The Age of Restoration & Preservation
Join the Literature Department and Bryan Kravitz of Philly Typewriter for this 8-part typewriter series. Bryan Kravitz discusses Philly Typewriter and how their helping lead the world in the resurgence of the mechanical typewriter. The…
Credit & Real Estate Today
Join us for a FREE monthly workshop presented by Premisien Credit Counseling and Genuine Property Solutions Real Estate. August Business Credit – Business Legitimacy Real Estate- Owning Real Estate in a business name…
Credit & Real Estate Today
Join us for a FREE monthly workshop presented by Premisien Credit Counseling and Genuine Property Solutions Real Estate. July Personal Credit – Charge Offs Real Estate- Bankruptcy and Homeownership August Business…
Craft Fridays
Join our LEAP afterschool team for Fridays full of crafts and imagination. Bring recycling materials like boxes, milk jugs, toilet paper tubes, egg cartons, fabric, wool and buttons to make your own creation!
Make Your Own Zines!
Learn from an artist how to make your own unique hand-made publications. Express yourself through collage, art, writing, and anything else you can think of. All materials are provided; just bring yourself and your ideas! Presented…
Virtual Full Circle Career Workshop: Job Search Applications & Keyword Tips
Good session for job seekers new to computers! Pick up some great suggestions on how best to apply for jobs. Learn some helpful tips on completing job applications, and using keywords and phrases to grab the hiring…
Airbrush Tattoo Fun
Join us for airbrush tattoos with multiple designs to choose from. Only alcohol-based temporary tattoo ink with FDA compliant ingredients are used. Limited to 80 participants. First come, first served.
Lawyers in Libraries - Legal Aid Resource Table
At the resource table, from 3-5pm, you can speak with a Philadelphia Legal Assistance expert and learn how to get legal aid for Unemployment Compensation, Tax Support, Child Custody, Housing and more! . PLA provides free legal services…
Virtual Full Circle Career Workshop: Resume Re-Invention
If you have a resume and still not getting call backs, this workshop is for you! If you would like more interviews, your resume may need improving and this workshop will show you how. There is rarely a resume that…
Insectopia: Insects vs Arachnids!
Meet the Insects! You'll get up close and learn about six different live insect friends including a tarantula, scorpion, and blue death feigning beetles with local entomologist, Trisha Nichols.
Not a Typical Kid: A Support Group for the Families of Children on the Autism Spectrum
It’s very easy to feel isolated when you’re raising a child with autism, especially after a new diagnosis, but you don’t have to feel that way. Many others are taking that same journey, and are happy to help you and…
Ananse and Me with the Amazing Mr. Q
Join us for Ananse and Me! This fun program includes puppets, magic, folk music, and dance featuring stories about the antics and adventures of Ananse the Spider. All ages welcome, children must be accompanied by an adult.
Anime, Manga, & Gaming Meetup for Adults & Older Teens - virtual
Join the conversation with other dedicated fans as we watch shows from several genres on the Discord platform every other Saturday from 3:30 to 6 PM . We generally watch with subtitles rather than dubbing. For more information email…
Children's Yoga
Yoga instructor Janet Faulls will take us through poses, breathing and meditation. This program is for school age children. We have a limited number of mats available for use, but you are welcome to bring your own mat
Craft Fridays
Join our LEAP afterschool team for Fridays full of crafts and imagination. Bring recycling materials like boxes, milk jugs, toilet paper tubes, egg cartons, fabric, wool and buttons to make your own creation!
Musicopia: Bucket Drumming
Musicopia: Bucket Drumming. Explore one of the most intuitive forms of music making: percussion! Spanning genres including jazz, Caribbean, traditional classical, and current pop, this highly interactive drummer Leon Jordan…
2023 Youth Media Award Winners
The American Library Association's (ALA) top books, videos, and audiobooks for children and young adults – including the Caldecott, Coretta Scott King, Newbery and Printz awards – among many others.
Wonderbooks
Read aloud books, issued as Wonderbooks.
New Books in Art Department - Winter 2023
Place a hold, have one sent to your branch, or stop by and browse!
Soul Food Cooking with a Twist
A list of resources to accompany our Soul Food Cooking with a Twist program.
Cozy Drinks
A collection of resources to accompany a homemade hot chocolate workshop in the Field Teen Center, with help from the Culinary Literacy Center
Kwanzaa with the Food Griot
A collection of resources to accompany our Kwanzaa with the Food Griot program.
npr best books of 2022
the books i want to read from npr's best books of 2022.
Sequential Philly’s Solstice Ebook Selections
Whether it’s holiday season or just a crazy-busy week, you don’t always have time to pop into the library to grab some great comics. So here’s an all e-book collection that you can enjoy without having to make an extra stop.
Fiction by Autistic Authors
Novels and short stories written by Autistic authors
Czech Cookies, and Czechs, and Cookies
A collection of resources to accompany our family baking workshop making traditional Czech holiday cookies.
Letter Writing
Artist letters, postcards and other forms of correspondence art.
Batman
All video and literature on the Dark Knight
Latkes for Everyone!
A list of resources about Jewish celebration and everyday cooking.
We Are the Seed: Liberation Through Food
Foodways and traditions that pave a path to freedom.
Photobooks
Photographs taken as a part of a project or series, edited by the photographer
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
TrueFlix *
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.
Sanborn Maps, 1867–1970 (Formerly Sanborn Maps Geo Edition)
Explore America’s building history through over 660,000 black-and-white, large-scale maps, which chart the growth of more than 12,000 towns and cities. Read this blog post to learn more.
Reference Solutions (Formerly ReferenceUSA)
A powerful tool providing access to in-depth information on businesses and residents. Research companies, locate addresses, phone numbers, conduct market research, and more.
Ibram X. Kendi and Nic Stone | How to Be a (Young) Antiracist
In conversation with Tamala Edwards, anchor, 6abc Action News morning edition Ibram X. Kendi is the Andrew W. Mellon Professor in the Humanities at Boston University and the founding director of the BU Center for Antiracist Research.…
John Hendrickson | Life on Delay: Making Peace with a Stutter
In conversation with Robert Kolker John Hendrickson is the author of a 2019 Atlantic article titled “What Joe Biden Can’t Bring Himself to Say.” An account of the President’s—and his own—lifelong experience with stuttering, it was…
Stephen A. Smith | Straight Shooter: A Memoir of Second Chances and First Takes
In conversation with Mike Sielski The star of ESPN’s No. 1 morning talk show First Take , Stephen A. Smith is one of the U.S. sporting press’s most popular and outspoken personalities. He is also the host of NBA in Stephen A’s World…
Ilyon Woo | Master Slave Husband Wife: An Epic Journey from Slavery to Freedom
In conversation with Imani Perry Ilyon Woo is the author of The Great Divorce , the “lively, well-written, and engrossing tale” ( The New York Times Book Review ) of a young mother’s five-year fight against her husband, the Shakers…
Aidan Levy | Saxophone Colossus: The Life and Music of Sonny Rollins
In conversation with Nate Chinen The author of Dirty Blvd.: The Life and Music of Lou Reed and editor of Patti Smith on Patti Smith: Interviews and Encounters , Aiden Levy played the baritone saxophone in the Stan Rubin…
Deb Perelman | Smitten Kitchen Keepers: New Classics for Your Forever Files: A Cookbook
Julie Dannenbaum Memorial Culinary Arts Lecture In conversation with Dena Heilik, head of Philbrick Hall, the Fiction and Movie department at Parkway Central. She also cohosts a monthly library Cookbook Club that has been running…
Tyler Kepner | The Grandest Stage: A History of the World Series
The national baseball writer for The New York Times since 2010, Tyler Kepner began his career as a teenager, interviewing players for a homemade magazine that garnered him national attention. His national bestseller K: A History of…
Misty Copeland | The Wind at My Back: Resilience, Grace, and Other Gifts from My Mentor, Raven Wilkinson
In conversation with Tamala Edwards, anchor, 6abc Action News morning edition The first African American principal dancer in the history of the elite American Ballet Theatre, Misty Copeland is one of the world’s most accomplished and…
David M. Rubenstein | How to Invest: Masters on the Craft
Pine Tree Foundation Endowed Lecture In conversation with Richard Vague David Rubenstein is the co-founder and co-chairman of The Carlyle Group, one of the world’s most successful private equity firms. The host of The David Rubinstein…
Patti Smith | A Book of Days
A couple of songs and stories from a memorable evening with Patti Smith and Tony Shanahan--and a great audience--at the library.
Neal Gabler | Against The Wind: Edward Kennedy and the Rise of Conservatism, 1976-2009 with Patrick Kennedy
In conversation with former congressman Patrick Kennedy Neal Gabler is the author of Catching the Wind: Edward Kennedy and the Liberal Hour , a “rich and insightful” ( The New York Times ) account of the figure known as the most complex…
Kerri K. Greenidge | The Grimkes: The Legacy of Slavery in an American Family
In conversation with Tamala Edwards, anchor, 6ABC Action News morning edition Historian Kerri K. Greenidge is the author of Black Radical: The Life and Times of William Monroe Trotter , a portrait of the post-Reconstruction civil…
George Lakey | Dancing With History: A Life for Peace and Justice
In conversation with Varshini Prakash Active in grassroot campaigns for social change for more than seven decades, sociologist and Quaker organizer George Lakey was first arrested at a civil rights demonstration in 1963 and most…
Ralph Macchio | Waxing On: The Karate Kid and Me
In conversation with Jason Freeman, author events producer and editor Ralph Macchio is best known for his portrayal of Daniel LaRusso in the 1984 film The Karate Kid . This iconic piece of pop culture has spawned a slew of sequels and…
Rabia Chaudry | Fatty Fatty Boom Boom: A Memoir of Food, Fat, and Family
Attorney, advocate, and podcaster Rabia Chaudry is the author of the New York Times bestseller Adnan's Story , a true-crime analysis into the 2000 conviction of a young Baltimorean for the murder of his ex-girlfriend. Also the executive…
John Banville | The Singularities
In conversation with Colum McCann “The heir to Nabokov” ( The Sunday Telegraph ), Irish novelist John Banville won the Man Booker Prize for The Sea , a story of loss and the fickle nature of memory. His many other novels include The…
Andrew K. Diemer | Vigilance: The Life of William Still, Father of the Underground Railroad
Andrew K. Diemer is the author of The Politics of Black Citizenship: Free African Americans in the Mid-Atlantic Borderland, 1817–1863 , an examination of the ways in which free Black Philadelphians and Baltimoreans fought to defend…
Anand Giridharadas | The Persuaders: At the Front Lines of the Fight for Hearts, Minds, and Democracy
Ellis Wachs Endowed Lecture In conversation with Tamala Edwards, anchor, 6ABC Action News morning edition A former longtime columnist and foreign correspondent for The New York Times , Anand Giridharadas is the bestselling author of …
Kardea Brown | The Way Home: A Celebration of Sea Islands Food and Family with over 100 Recipes
In conversation with Valerie Erwin Charleston, South Carolina–based Kardea Brown hosts the Food Network’s Delicious Miss Brown and OWN’s The Great Soul Food Cookoff . She also is the creator of the pop-up New Gullah Supper Club, where…
Ross Gay | Inciting Joy: Essays with Major Jackson | A Beat Beyond: Selected Prose of Major Jackson
Ross Gay is the author of The Book of Delights , a life-affirming collection of short lyric essays that reminds readers to appreciate so-called ordinary wonders, even during turbulent times. His several volumes of poetry include Catalog…
ZOOM Trivia Games
ZOOM-from PBS Kids! A game to play with your friends or family. For grades 4 and up.
ZOOM
ZOOM from PBS-by kids, for kids. Lots of fun science activities. Grades 2 and up; may need adult supervision.
Ziggity Zoom
This site offers a variety that will appeal to preschool and younger elementary age children. Online and printable activities are available.
Zero to Three
The mission of Zero to Three is to promote the healthy development of infants and toddlers. This website provides a breadth of behavioral and developmental information for parents, as well as suggestions for creating positive learning…
Zenkaikon
The Philadelphia-area Anime Convention.
ZDNet
A wholly-owned subsidiary of CNET networks, ZDNet aims to be the "premier 'full service' destination for people looking to buy, use, and learn more about technology." On its site, the company offers news, product reviews, downloads, free…
Zamzar
Free Online File Converter
Yves St. Laurent
Yves St. Laurent launched his label in 1962 and turned the fashion world on its ear with his mix of pantsuits and fitted gowns. The line is now supervised by Stefano Pilati, whose innovative designs continue the legacy of St. Laurent…
Yuckiest Site on the Internet
From Discovery.com - The Yuckiest Site on the Internet! Join Wendell the worm and check out his buggy scrapbook! For grades 3 and up.
Youthspeaks.org
Provides safe spaces to empower the next generation of leaders, self-defined artists, and visionary activists through written and oral literacies.
YouthSpeak Newsletter
YouthSpeak is a grassroots citizen organization working to empower youth and to allow youth to make the democratic choices that affect their lives.
YouthRules!
Information from the U.S. Department of Labor for teens, parents, educators, employers and the public on Federal and State rules regarding young workers, to help ensure a safe and positive work experience for young people.
Youth work Links and Ideas
This site's author has a Master's Degree in Social Work from Boston University School of Social Work, and 20 years experience working with adolescents. The site is comprehensive and contains frequently updated links pages for youth and…
Youth Violence Fact Sheet
This site from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists current statistics on youth violence, including risk factors.
Youth United for Change (YUC)
Youth United for Change (YUC) is a democratic organization primarily made up of working class youth of color, which builds the “people power" necessary to hold school officials and government accountable to guarantee the educational…
Youth Service America: National Child Awareness Month Youth Ambassador Program
Year-long program helps young leaders (ages 16-22) create change around critical issues facing youth today.
Youth Health Empowerment Project (Y-HEP)
Y-HEP's mission is to help young people grow into healthy adults by supporting them in empowering themselves to make healthy choices. They offer outreach and drop-in services.
Youth Health Empowerment Project
Youth Drop-In Center
YourDictionary
Provides an easy-to-use search engine for words and the results are quite detailed. Also offers 400 different language dictionaries.
You Can Play Sax
Community video lessons by and for saxophone players. Watch video lessons to improve your skill or upload a lesson yourself to help others learn the instrument! A space for instructors and students.
American Presidency Series
Join the Free Library for a series of compelling provocative programs that examine the untold stories of, unconventional approaches to, and contemporary concerns about the world's most difficult job. The 2016 American Presidency Series…
Anime and Manga
Anime is an animation style originated in Japan that is characterized by distinctive characters and backgrounds. Storylines may include a variety of fictional or historical characters, events, and settings. Manga is Japanese for "comics"…
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…
Back to School
The start of another school year is underway here in Philadelphia! Get ready for school with these helpful resources for students, teachers, parents, and caregivers to help make the school year easier. Learn new study skills,…
Bestsellers
Find out about the latest bestsellers from many well known resources.
Black History Month
In celebration of Black History Month and African American History as a whole, explore our resources on African American history and culture including famous African Americans From Philadelphia, Poets and Poetry, Speculative Fiction,…
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…
Cutting Clutter
Are you constantly trying to find papers you placed down on your desk? Is your closet overflowing with junk? Are you drowning in clutter and don't know where to begin to cleanup? Take charge with these books and resources on clutter,…
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…
Fantastic Planets
The void that exists between celestial bodies is vast. How many rings does Saturn have? Where did galaxies come from? What is Dark Matter? How do astronauts travel through space? Where does science fiction end and science fact begin?…
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!…
Freedom Train
From July 1st through November 1st, the Rosenbach will feature Freedom Train 1947-1949, an exhibition on the history of the Freedom Train that toured the continuous 48 states in the post-war years. The topics of freedom, liberty, and…
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.
Halloween
Hello boils and ghouls! It's that time of year again—Halloween! We've concocted a creepy cross section of spooky stories from our chilling collections of boo-ks, mad monsters in macabre movies, and scary soundtracks, as well as links to…
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…
Health Literacy Month
October is Health Literacy Month, a month dedicated to promoting the importance of understandable health information. The month was first honored as an annual worldwide event in 1999 and continues to be an important initiative in…
Healthy Communities
Healthy Communities, a partnership with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health’s Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention , increases the library’s capacity to offer free, accessible cooking, physical activity, gardening…
Honeybees
The third Saturday in August is National Honeybee Day, a day to celebrate this small but vital insect. Philadelphians should be especially proud; the modern beehive, known as the Langstroth hive, was invented in the City of Brotherly…
Jerry Pinkney
Philadelphia born and raised, Jerry Pinkney is one of the most beloved artists in children’s literature, illustrating more than 100 books that have delighted children—and adults—for generations. This year, as the American Library…
Job Seekers
The Free Library supports job seekers within the Business Resource & 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, events for all ages, and resources in Philadelphia. Through this Explore Topic, you can also find lesbian, gay, bisexual,…
Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. was the most important voice of the American civil rights movement, which worked for equal rights for all. He was famous for using nonviolent resistance to overcome injustice, and he never got tired of trying to…
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…
Philadelphia Cooks
Explore diverse cooking styles and cuisine throughout Philadelphia, read cookbooks by renowned Philly chefs, learn about the latest nutritional values and advancements, search or browse through The Philadelphia Inquirer's restaurant and…
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…
Remembering September 11th
On September 11th, 2001, the world changed. For those of us who experienced it as a current event, life can be divided between a before and after, and we can clearly remember where we were when the news first reached us. For those not…
Returning Citizens
Resources for returning citizens in the transition from incarceration to society including information on job training, housing assistance, and counseling services. One such resource is Bridges, which offers returning citizens from jails…
Season's Greetings
It's that time of year again, full of many diverse holiday celebrations including Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, the Winter Solstice, and New Year's. This Explore Topic features lists of great books, music, and movies to share and learn…
Shakespeare
William Shakespeare, born in 1564, was an English poet, playwright and actor, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. Poet Ben Johnson wrote “He was not of an age but for all…
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"…
Talking About Consent
As librarians, we are frequently asked to offer advice about resources that help explain current events to young children. When a disturbing story appears in the news, parents and caregivers may struggle to find age-appropriate…
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a public holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November throughout the United States. It originated as a harvest festival of giving thanks and although it has historical roots in religious and cultural traditions,…
The Olympics
The Olympic Games are the world's foremost sports competition, featuring thousands of athletes from around the world who participate in a variety of events. More than 200 nations participate every four years, alternating between the…
U.S. Elections and Politics
The United States presidential election will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2020. In addition to candidates for U.S. president and vice president, the Pennsylvania ballot includes candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives, the PA…