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Celebrating Another Summer of Wonder
We're setting new Summer of Wonder records in 2022! Not only did we meet our Community Reading Minutes goal for the summer, we also blasted past all of our minutes-read milestones and logged the most online community minutes…
Picture Book Highlights | Water
Did you know that water makes up 71 percent of our world and is a vital component of all forms of life on Earth? Look at a globe and you’ll see our continents surrounded by oceans. When seen from space, our planet looks blue due…
Literacy in Early Learning Spaces | How does reading out loud help young children learn to talk?
Literacy in Early Learning Spaces is a Free Library project focused on literacy and language development in children from birth through 5 years old. We partner with childcare programs across Philadelphia and are funded through a…
Explore Creative Careers with Field Teen Center!
Throughout the month of July, Field Teen Center recorded interviews with a voice actor, four game designers, and a comic book writer. If you’re interested in creative jobs or if you just want to learn more about how your favorite…
Cooling Centers Open at Select Libraries on Monday, August 8 through Tuesday, August 9
Residents can get out of the heat and into an air-conditioned space at a neighborhood library with access to books, computers, wireless internet, and other library amenities. Masks are recommended. The following neighborhood…
Time Travel to the Beginning of the Universe
Interested in time travel? The superpowered James Webb Telescope has released its first images this month, giving us a window into distant space and the distant past. It’s dazzling. The Carina Nebula, a birthing ground for stars,…
Making Sofrito with Juanita and Family!
Juanita Vega DeJoseph is the Assistant Department Head in the Art & Literature Department and someone who enjoys cooking and creating. We are so grateful to Juanita for sharing her process of making sofrito, a recipe…
New Titles Coming to the Free Library in August!
Ready for some new reads to escape this long, hot summer? Read on for fun and inspiring books to help get you through the dog days of August. Young Children (up to 2nd Grade) To Change a Planet by Christina Soontornvat; illustrated by…
We're Hiring Librarians!
Are you passionate about serving diverse populations in an urban public library setting? Are you ready for all that Philadelphia has to offer? If so, then please consider this community-focused Librarian position housed within a large,…
International Chess Day is July 20th
Chess is thriving! The New York Times recently reported that interest in chess is at a 50 year high, the highest level since the 1972 World Chess Championship between American Bobby Fischer (1943-2008) and Soviet Boris Spassky (1937 -…
Picture Book Highlights | National Ice Cream Month
Here's one more reason to love July: it's National Ice Cream Month! There's something special about having ice cream in the summer -- a cool, delicious, creamy treat for the hot days of the year. Here are some picture books…
Nourishing Literacy | Let's make strawberry cards with Shayna!
Strawberries are super and sweet to look at and to eat! In this video, Shayna used strawberries as her theme for making handmade cards . What ideas do you have for making cards or stationary? What shapes and colors can you find in…
Halfway through Summer of Wonder 2022!
The Summer Readers of Philadelphia are on a roll. Just halfway through the Free Library’s Summer of Wonder, we’re more than halfway to our citywide online reading minutes goal! If you’re not signed up yet, it’s…
Literacy in Early Learning Spaces | How do young children interact with books?
Literacy in Early Learning Spaces is a Free Library project focused on literacy and language development in children from birth through 5 years old. We partner with childcare programs across Philadelphia and are funded through a…
6 Ways to Keep Cool with the Free Library and in Philly this Summer!
As the days get warmer in our area, we hope you keep the Free Library in mind as a great place to cool off! Here are a few ways to beat the heat with us (and our friends around the City of Philadelphia!). Borrow a birding backpack…
Empathy Versus Misinformation: Transgender Youth Panel Series
Lately, transgender and gender non-conforming youth have been a hot topic across the nation. Many people feel confused, even panicked, and it can be hard to tell what claims being made are even true. We've assembled a panel of…
New Titles Coming to the Free Library in July!
This July we are exploring summer treats going down the shore, world travel, escaping into sweet love stories, and possibly, battling our own clone! A little something for everyone in the following recommendations of new titles! Young…
Celebrate the Dog Days of Summer!
Phew, the summer is heating up! As we all try our best to deal with the rising temperatures in our area, don't forget that the Free Library is a great place to cool off. Check your neighborhood library's hours of…
Free Library Seeking Teen Social Justice Fellows!
Are you between the ages of 14 and 19? Do you have a passion and commitment for social justice? Are you looking for an opportunity where you can learn, serve your community, and develop/demonstrate your leadership skills? Would you like…
The History of the Pride Flag
The Pride Flag as we know it today has gone through several iterations since its birth in 1978. It has a long and rich history that started in San Francisco with artist Gilbert Baker, who met a local activist who urged him to…
Teen Thursdays
Join us on Teen Thursdays for a different activity each week. We’ll play our favorite games, cook our favorite meals, create arts and crafts projects, and more! Community service hours available upon request. Cannot…
Autism Knowledge Support Group
Parents, join us the last Wednesday for every month to share your specific needs concerning your autistic child’s needs and rights,and receive training and information to learn how to support and advocate for your child. Food will…
PJ Storytime
Put on your pajamas, grab your favorite stuffed animal, and head to the library! There will be stories, singing, dancing and crafts! The last Tuesday of the month September through December! Program intended for children age 12…
The Modern Emily Dickinson: The Anti-Belle of Amherst | Behind the Bookcase tour (in-person)
The Belle of Amherst. The recluse who lived a life of quiet passion. For a century the Emily Dickinson of public imagination was confined to the decorous hall of The Nineteenth Century Poetess–eccentric, but never…
Teen Thursdays
Join us on Teen Thursdays for a different activity each week. We’ll play our favorite games, cook our favorite meals, create arts and crafts projects, and more! Community service hours available upon request. Cannot…
Pokémon at the Library
Come to the library for a different Pokémon-themed activity each month! If you play Pokémon Go, stick around for Raid Hour afterwards.
Teen Thursdays
Join us on Teen Thursdays for a different activity each week. We’ll play our favorite games, cook our favorite meals, create arts and crafts projects, and more! Community service hours available upon request. Cannot…
Puzzle of the Month
Come to the library and try your hand at a new type of puzzle each month. Secret codes, number puzzles, hidden images, and more! You can even make your own to challenge your friends!
In Conversation with Stephanie Feldman, author of Saturnalia (In-Person)
Stephanie Feldman’s novel Saturnalia takes place during a citywide winter solstice celebration in Philadelphia on the brink of climate collapse. The novel draws inspiration from lore and customs of the winter solstice,…
Unplugged Gamers
Calling all table-top game enthusiasts, join us once a month for a rotating selection of board games, card games, and more! Program intended for children age 5-12 and their families.
Read Baby Read: Baby & Toddler Storytime
Join Miss Mary for stories, songs, rhymes, and bounces in the auditorium on the ground floor! Stay for playtime immediately following storytime! Intended for our friends ages 2 and under and their caregivers. Read, Baby, Read is a…
The Artistry and Industry of Bookmaking | Behind the Bookcase tour (in-person)
Do you prefer to judge a book by its cover, or does the inside matter more? In this tour of book arts, we’ll take a look at various rare books in The Rosenbach collection, their aesthetics, their functions, how the…
Teen Thursdays
Join us on Teen Thursdays for a different activity each week. We’ll play our favorite games, cook our favorite meals, create arts and crafts projects, and more! Community service hours available upon request. Cannot…
Quilting Workshop: Raw Edge Applique Class
Join us for a beginner friendly quilting class to explore raw edge applique. We will use fabric and sewing techniques to create a different wall hanging in each workshop. For more information and to register for the workshops,…
Cobbs Creek Library Winterfest and Coat Drive
Join us anytime between 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. for our Winterfest! We are giving away new and gently used coats and gloves while supplies last. There will also be hot coco, cookie decorating, and crafts. If you would like to make…
Read Baby Read: Baby & Toddler Storytime
Join Miss Mary for stories, songs, rhymes, and bounces in the auditorium on the ground floor! Stay for playtime immediately following storytime! Intended for our friends ages 2 and under and their caregivers. Read, Baby, Read is a…
Teen Thursdays
Join us on Teen Thursdays for a different activity each week. We’ll play our favorite games, cook our favorite meals, create arts and crafts projects, and more! Community service hours available upon request. Cannot…
Autism Knowledge Support Group
Parents, join us the last Wednesday for every month to share your specific needs concerning your autistic child’s needs and rights,and receive training and information to learn how to support and advocate for your child. Food will…
PJ Storytime
Put on your pajamas, grab your favorite stuffed animal, and head to the library! There will be stories, singing, dancing and crafts! The last Tuesday of the month September through December! Program intended for children age 12…
Read Baby Read: Baby & Toddler Storytime
Join Miss Mary for stories, songs, rhymes, and bounces at Shakespeare Park, across the street from the library! Stay for playtime immediately following storytime! Intended for our friends ages 2 and under and their caregivers. Bad…
Sequential Philly’s Supermoon Spectacular
In honor of 2022’s many supermoons, and also the regular moon which is pretty good too, here’s a selection of lunar-themed comics. Suitable for reading day or night!
Dark Academia
Tweed blazers, old books, classical studies and hallowed halls - all with gothic undertones or ominous revelations.
Self-Care Resources - LLC
Self-care resources for adults
Sequential Philly’s Shark Week Adventures
In honor of the toothiest week of the year, here’s a collection of comics filled with sharks, and adventures on, around and under the sea. Follow Sequential Philly on Instagram to keep up with comics creators and events in the…
To Read!
Ones I see while im there or elsewhere that intrigue me
Sequential Philly’s Comic-Con Alternative List
Couldn’t make it to SDCC? That’s okay! Use the time to immerse yourself in comics via this sampler about the history of comics and people who make them. Follow Sequential Philly on Instagram to keep up with comics creators and events in…
Pride Month 2022
LGBTQ+ art and artists, from the Art Department of the Free Library.
Claes Oldenburg
Swedish-born American sculptor famous for his public art installations, including the giant clothespin across from Philly's City Hall!
If You Liked My Heart is a Chainsaw...
Loved Stephen Graham Jones' fun and frightening love letter to horror films? Need something to keep you busy until the sequel? Try one of these!
Sequential Philly’s Wing-It List
It’s a tribute to our feathered friends in this collection of comics with avian titles or characters! Follow Sequential Philly on Instagram to keep up with comics creators and events in the Philadelphia area: @sequentialphilly.
Celebrate Disability Pride in July
Disability Pride has been celebrated in July since the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law on July 26, 1990. What did we miss? What disabilities would you love to see represented in teen fiction and nonfiction?…
Sequential Philly’s Fantastic Fours List
In honor the Fourth of July, here’s a round up of four-centric titles. July the fourth be with you!
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.
Brian Westbrook Sr. and Lesley Van Arsdall | The Mouse Who Played Football
In their illustrated children’s book, Brian Westbrook Sr. and Lesley Van Arsdall tell the story of a determined little critter named Brian who overcomes his small size to become a star in the Mouse Football League. Brian Westbrook, Sr. …
W. Kamau Bell with Kate Schatz | Do the Work!: An Antiracist Activity Book
In conversation with Marc Lamont Hill W. Kamau Bell is the host and executive producer of the Emmy Award–winning CNN docuseries United Shades of America with W. Kamau Bell , and also directed and executive produced the recent four-part…
Mark Leibovich | Thank You for Your Servitude: Donald Trump's Washington and the Price of Submission
In conversation with Tracey Matisak, award winning broadcaster and journalist Mark Leibovich’s books include the No. 1 bestseller This Town , a “vastly entertaining and deeply troubling” ( The New York Times Book Review ) exploration…
Patience Marime-Ball and Ruth Shaber | The XX Edge: Unlocking Higher Returns and Lower Risk
In conversation with Renée Chenault Fattah In The XX Edge , Patience Marime-Ball and Ruth Shaber envision a new paradigm of gender-focused investing where more women are placed in decision-making roles and able to optimize their skills…
Diane McKinney-Whetstone | Our Gen
Acclaimed for crafting “sharply drawn characters, exuberant prose,” and “plenty of period detail” ( Los Angeles Times Book Review ), Diane McKinney-Whetstone is the author of six novels, including Tumbling , Tempest Rising , Trading…
Michael Pollan | This is Your Mind on Plants
In conversation with Tamala Edwards, anchor, 6ABC Action News morning edition One of the world’s foremost chroniclers of the intersection of the human and natural worlds, Michael Pollan is a No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of…
Malcolm Nance | They Want to Kill Americans: The Militias, Terrorists, and Deranged Ideology of the Trump Insurgency
In conversation with Marc Lamont Hill A world-renowned counterterrorism expert and former career intelligence officer who has deployed in the Balkans, the Middle East, and sub-Saharan Africa, Malcolm Nance is a longtime consultant for…
Alice Elliott Dark | Fellowship Point
In conversation with Beth Kephart Alice Elliott Dark is the author of the critically acclaimed novel Think of England and the short story collections In the Gloaming and Naked to the Waist . Her stories, essays, and reviews have…
Chinelo Okparanta | Harry Sylvester Bird
In conversation with Asali Solomon Nigerian American author Chinelo Okparanta ’s acclaimed debut novel Under the Udala Trees celebrates the act of loving fearlessly, even amidst the strife of prejudice and civil war. Selected…
Patrick Radden Keefe | Rogues: True Stories of Grifters, Killers, Rebels and Crooks
In conversation with Karen Heller, national features writer for The Washington Post, formerly a metro and features columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer , and a finalist for the 2001 Pulitzer Prize in commentary. “A master of…
Valerie Biden Owens | Growing Up Biden: A Memoir
Meelya Gordon Memorial Lecture In conversation with Marjorie Margolies, President, Women's Campaign International and author of And How Are the Children?: Timeless Lessons from the Frontlines of Motherhood The younger sister of…
Hugh Ryan | The Women's House of Detention: A Queer History of a Forgotten Prison
In conversation with Sayeeda Rashid, Director of the Center for Gender Resources and Sexual Education at Haverford College Hugh Ryan is the author of When Brooklyn Was Queer , a “boisterous, motley … entertaining and insightful” ( The…
Lisa Taddeo | The Ghost Lover: Stories
In conversation with Hayden Dunbar, assistant editor, The Sewanee Review Lisa Taddeo is the author of the No. 1 New York Times bestseller Three Women , the “staggeringly intimate” ( Entertainment Weekly ) and extensively researched true…
Gene Andrew Jarrett | Paul Laurence Dunbar: The Life and Times of a Caged Bird
In conversation with Herman Beavers Gene Andrew Jarrett is the author of Representing the Race: A New Political History of African American Literature and Deans and Truants: Race and Realism in African American Literature . He is the…
Kali Fajardo-Anstine | Woman of Light
In conversation with Melinna Bobadilla A story collection featuring Latinas of Indigenous heritage experiencing the challenges of friendship and family in the American West, Kali Fajardo-Anstine’s Sabrina & Corina won an American Book…
Bo Seo | Good Arguments: How Debate Teaches Us to Listen and Be Heard
In conversation with Tracey Matisak, award winning broadcaster and journalist A two-time world champion debater and a former coach of the Harvard College Debating Union and the Australian national debating team, Bo Seo has won the World…
Rebecca Rukeyser | The Seaplane on Final Approach
In conversation with Annie Liontas, author of Let Me Explain You and co-editor of the anthology A Manner of Being: Writers on their Mentors Praised by Carmen Maria Machado as “a sharp, flawless … sexy and dark and strange and absolutely…
Maxine Hong Kingston | The Woman Warrior, China Men, Tripmaster Monkey, Other Writings
In conversation with volume editor, Viet Thanh Nguyen Acclaimed for her contributions to feminism and Chinese American literature, Maxine Hong Kingston won the 1976 National Book Critics Circle General Nonfiction Award for her first…
Zakiya Dalila Harris | The Other Black Girl
In conversation with Liz Moore Zakiya Dalila Harris is the author of the instant New York Times bestseller The Other Black Girl , a thriller in which a young Black editorial assistant slowly realizes there are more sinister forces in…
Bill McKibben | The Flag, the Cross, and the Station Wagon: A Graying American Looks Back at His Suburban Boyhood and Wonders What the Hell Happened
“The world’s best green journalist” ( TIME ), Bill McKibben gave one of the earliest cautions about climate change with his 1989 book The End of Nature . His many other bestselling books about the environment include Falter , Deep…
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…