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The Free Library Receives $170,000 Gift from Carnegie Corporation of New York

The Free Library is being awarded a $170,000 gift from the Carnegie Corporation of New York Foundation . The award is part of Carnegie Libraries 250 , a special initiative celebrating the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the…

Apply Now to Become Philadelphia's Next Poet Laureate!

The Free Library is inviting poets to submit their applications to represent our city as the next Philadelphia Poet Laureate . Applications are read by the Poet Laureate Governing Committee, composed of local poets, past…

The Philadelphia Arts Documentation Project

Starting in 1955, the Archives of American Art began documenting Philadelphia-related art material for the Philadelphia Arts Documentation Project . This epic undertaking has involved working with numerous institutions and estates…

Find Local Food Aid Amid the SNAP Funding Freeze

Across the city, community organizations, mutual aid groups, and neighborhood volunteers are stepping up to provide free meals, groceries, and fresh produce through food distribution sites, community fridges, and other local resources.…

New Titles Coming to the Free Library in November

We are grateful for these new titles arriving on our shelves this fall! Young Children (up to 2nd Grade) Benjamin Grows A Garden by Melanie Florence Benjamin is ready to help his mother plant their garden. As Benjamin cares for their…

Teen Digital Literacy Workshop Series Starting This Fall

The  Field Teen Center is partnering with Common Sense Media  to bring free digital literacy workshops for teens to the Free Library throughout the 2025–26 school year. Digital literacy is the ability to accurately…

Additional Saturday Hours Roll Out at Neighborhood Libraries

The Free Library of Philadelphia is expanding its six-day service by adding Saturday hours at nine additional neighborhood library locations . By October 25, 2025, a total of 41 libraries will be open and accessible to the public on…

34 Libraries Will Serve As Polling Places for the November 4, 2025 General Election

General Election Day is  Tuesday, November 4, 2025 , and 34 of our neighborhood libraries will serve as designated voting locations. Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Remember: anyone in line by 8:00 p.m. can…

Yiddish Children’s Literature from the Secular Yiddish Shuls of the Workers’ Circle and the IWO

[ Editorial Note: The Free Library’s Literature Department is Parkway Central Library’ s home for language learning and the study of global literature. Department librarians are embarking on a project of refreshing our…

Classic Children’s Books Re-read, and What to Read Instead!

Once upon a time, you were a child, and you loved a book. It was a classic, one that perhaps a beloved aunt or teacher had shared with you. You cherished this book, and now as an adult you want to share this joy with the child in your…

New Titles Perfect for LGBTQ+ History Month

October is LGBTQ+ History Month. These historians show that gender and sexual diversity have always been a part of the fabric of humanity. For many, LGBTQ+ history begins in 1970, when seemingly all the gay and transgender people…

How To Get a Free Library Card

Want to get a Free Library card , but unsure how to go about it? Look no further for everything you need to know about becoming a patron of the Free Library of Philadelphia! Who is eligible for a Free Library card? Anyone who lives,…

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…

Register in Advance: Free College Prep Workshops Coming This Fall

Free college prep workshops are returning to the Free Library for Fall 2025!  Field Teen Center hosts these FREE workshops  in partnership with The Alexander Advantage and  College Thoughts.  This series will…

Tips and Resources for Federal Workers in Transition

Leaving a federal government role and embarking on a new career journey is an understandably daunting experience. With the right tools and strategies, you can position yourself for a successful transition that acknowledges your federal…

Cut Your Own Vinyl Record With DIY Discs!

The Free Library  Music Department  and  Consonant Collective team up to bring lathe-cut vinyl records to the masses!  A new program is dropping at Parkway Central Library :  DIY Discs: Cut Your Own Vinyl…

An Introduction to South Asia Lecture Series at Northeast Regional Library

Join the Northeast Regional Library  for a sweeping introduction to South Asia. This five-part series, taking place late October to early December, introduces the history and culture of one of Asia’s most enduring and…

Join the Banned Wagon for Banned Book Fest!

The Penguin Random House Banned Wagon is coming to Philadelphia for Banned Books Week and will make stops at Northeast Regional Library on Friday, October 10, and Parkway Central Library on Saturday, October 11. The Banned Wagon's…

New Titles Coming to the Free Library in October

These new titles are coming to the Free Library in October! Young Children (up to 2nd Grade) Día de Muertos by Jacque Jours Discover the meaning of Dia de Muertos and learn how children all around the world celebrate this…

Add to Our Community Quilt for Hispanic Heritage Month

The Community Quilt Circle Workshops , featuring Colombian textile artists Nicolle Valencia and Shanise Barona, are a three-part workshop happening on Thursdays from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at  Lillian Marrero Library . Starting…

City Planning Club - Updated Plans to the Bellweather District

Join our monthly discussion group! We are continuing a discussion series centered on topics related to Philadelphia history, connecting local history with city planning and development. This month, participate in a thoughtful, guided…

Military History Club: The Treaty of Paris

Join our monthly discussion group! This month's discussion will cover the Treaty of Paris. The group meets from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM in the Heim Center, Room 131/132.

City Planning Club - East Passyunk Project

Join our monthly discussion group! We are continuing a discussion series centered on topics related to Philadelphia history, connecting local history with city planning and development. This month, participate in a thoughtful, guided…

Military History Club: British Change of Heart in the American Revolution and the American Peace Commission

Join our monthly discussion group! This month's discussion will cover the British Change of Heart in the American Revolution and the American Peace Commission. The group meets from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM in the Heim Center,…

City Planning Club - Delaware River Dredging

Join our monthly discussion group! We are continuing a discussion series centered on topics related to Philadelphia history, connecting local history with city planning and development. This month, participate in a thoughtful, guided…

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…

Military History Club: Diplomatic efforts with Morocco and the United States

Join our monthly discussion group! This month's discussion will cover Diplomatic efforts with Morocco and the United States. The group meets from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM in the Heim Center, Room 131/132.

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…

City Planning Club -Philadelphia International Airport Revised / Post World Cup

Join our monthly discussion group! We are continuing a discussion series centered on topics related to Philadelphia history, connecting local history with city planning and development. This month, participate in a thoughtful, guided…

Military History Club: Diplomatic efforts with the Netherlands and the United States

Join our monthly discussion group! This month's discussion will cover Diplomatic efforts with the Netherlands and the United States. The group meets from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM in the Heim Center, Room 131/132.

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…

City Planning Club -The Schuylkill River Park Project

Join our monthly discussion group! We are continuing a discussion series centered on topics related to Philadelphia history, connecting local history with city planning and development. This month, participate in a thoughtful, guided…

Military History Club: Diplomatic efforts with Spain and the United States

Join our monthly discussion group! This month's discussion will cover Diplomatic efforts with Spain and the United States. The group meets from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM in the Heim Center, Room 131/132.

City Planning Club - The Zipper Proposals Over I-676

Join our monthly discussion group! We are continuing a discussion series centered on topics related to Philadelphia history, connecting local history with city planning and development. This month, participate in a thoughtful, guided…

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…

Military History Club: Diplomatic efforts with France and the early functions of the government of the United States

Join our monthly discussion group! This month's discussion will cover the Diplomatic efforts with France and the early functions of the government of the United States. The group meets from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM in the Heim…

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…

City Planning Club - The Parkway Proposals

Join our monthly discussion group! We are continuing a discussion series centered on topics related to Philadelphia history, connecting local history with city planning and development. This month, participate in a thoughtful, guided…

Trans By Trans Book Club

Join us on the third Tuesday of the month for a virtual citywide book club for trans and nonbinary adult readers. Each month, we will be reading books written by trans and nonbinary authors and discussing trans imagination, writing…

Altered Consciousness: A Film Series with EPR

Join us in the Montgomery Auditorium at Parkway Central Library for the next installation in this film series!  This series will feature screenings and discussions of movies that explore the theme of altered consciousness:…

October Revolution!: International Ideas of Avant-Garde Art

Book Display, October 2025 -- The political upheavals of the early 20th century found their aesthetic counterpart in the idea of the avant-garde. From Malevich's white squares to Duchamp's ready-mades, to Surrealist photographers, the…

Native American Heritage Month: New Picks for Kids

Native American Heritage Month in November recognizes the contributions, histories, and contemporary cultures of Indigenous Peoples in the United States. Check out these recent books in November and beyond at your local library!

Beyond Frankenstein: books and movies inspired by the novel

Just read Mary Shelley's classic novel and/or watched the new Guillermo del Toro film adaptation? Looking for more? Here's a selection of Frankenstein/Shelley-inspired adaptations, re-imaginings, sequels, and sagas . Enjoy!

Pollock Elementary "Frogs" 2025

A sampling of nonfiction books on frogs across different reading levels. For use by teachers at Robert Pollock Elementary.

Video Games at the Field Teen Center: X-Box

A list of X-Box games at the Field Teen Center!

Native American Heritage Month! 2025

November is Native American Heritage Month! Honor the lives, histories, cultures, and activism of Native peoples this month and all year long with these fiction titles and graphic novels by Indigenous authors.

Cute & Campy - Halloween Romps for Teens

If you're looking for fewer spooks and more sweets this Halloween, check out these titles from the teen collection! Some mix scary and funny while others are just plain cute. All are sure to be a treat!

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…

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.

Caro De Robertis | So Many Stars

The Author Events Series presents Caro De Robertis | So Many Stars REGISTER In Conversation with Dr. Michelle Taylor So Many Stars knits together the voices of trans, nonbinary, genderqueer, and two-spirit elders of color as they share…

Jake Tapper & Alex Thompson | Original Sin

The Author Events Series presents Jake Tapper & Alex Thompson  | Original Sin Tickets to the Montgomery Auditorium are now sold out, but you can still get tickets for the simulcast live screening in Room 108.  REGISTER In Conversation…

Jonathan Capehart | Yet Here I Am: Lessons from a Black Man's Search for Home

The Author Events Series presents Jonathan Capehart  | Yet Here I Am: Lessons from a Black Man's Search for Home Tickets to the Montgomery Auditorium are now sold out, but you can still get tickets for the simulcast live screening in…

Senator Ron Wyden | It Takes Chutzpah: How to Fight Fearlessly for Progressive Change

The Author Events Series presents Senator Ron Wyden  |  It Takes Chutzpah: How to Fight Fearlessly for Progressive Change REGISTER In Conversation with Michael Solomonov  Endowed Lecture: Pine Tree Foundation It Takes Chutzpah is an…

Paul Muldoon | Joy in Service on Rue Tagore: Poems

The Author Events Series presents Paul Muldoon  | Joy in Service on Rue Tagore: Poems  REGISTER In Conversation with  Daisy Fried  Since his 1973 debut, New Weather, Paul Muldoon has created some of the most original and memorable…

Dr. Judith Joseph | High Functioning

The Author Events Series presents Dr. Judith Joseph | High Functioning  REGISTER In Conversation with Hannah Williams Emcee - Dr. Dalesa Rueda The first book to unmask the hidden face of depression. If you look fine on the outside but…

Elie Mystal | Bad Law: Ten Popular Laws That Are Ruining America

The Author Events Series presents  Elie Mystal  | Bad Law: Ten Popular Laws That Are Ruining America  REGISTER In Conversation with Cherri Gregg In Bad Law, the New York Times bestselling author of Allow Me To Retort: A Black Guy’s…

Mike Sielski | Magic in the Air

The Author Events Series presents Mike Sielski  | Magic in the Air REGISTER In Conversation with Buzz Bissinger The evolution of basketball, and much of the social and cultural change in America, can be traced through one powerful act…

Rebecca Romney | Jane Austen's Bookshelf: A Rare Book Collector's Quest to Find the Women Writers Who Shaped a Legend

The Author Events Series presents Rebecca Romney  | Jane Austen's Bookshelf: A Rare Book Collector's Quest to Find the Women Writers Who Shaped a Legend  REGISTER In Conversation with Allie Alvis  Jane Austen's Bookshelf investigates…

Rhodri Lewis | Shakespeare's Tragic Art

The Author Events Series presents Rhodri Lewis  | Shakespeare's Tragic Art REGISTER In Conversation with Emily Wilson In Shakespeare’s Tragic Art, Rhodri Lewis offers a powerfully original reassessment of tragedy as Shakespeare wrote…

Jaap de Roode | Doctors by Nature: How Ants, Apes, and Other Animals Heal Themselves

The Author Events Series presents Jaap de Roode  | Doctors by Nature: How Ants, Apes, and Other Animals Heal Themselves  REGISTER Ages before the dawn of modern medicine, wild animals were harnessing the power of nature's pharmacy to…

Katie Kitamura | Audition

The Author Events Series presents Katie Kitamura | Audition: A Novel REGISTER In Conversation with Adam Dalva One woman, the performance of a lifetime. Or two. An exhilarating, destabilizing Möbius strip of a novel that asks whether we…

Dr. Anthony Fauci | On Call: A Doctor's Journey in Public Service

The Author Events Series presents Dr. Anthony Fauci | On Call: A Doctor's Journey in Public Service THIS EVENT IS NOW SOLD OUT! In Conversation with Dave Davies   Anthony Fauci is arguably the most famous - and most revered - doctor in…

Maria Shriver | I Am Maria

The Author Events Series presents Maria Shriver | I Am Maria  REGISTER In Conversation with Dr. Martha Beck  Special Guests: Bob Roth & Kate Baer Please join us in celebrating Maria Shriver’s I Am Maria: My Reflections and Poems on…

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…

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,…