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Six-Day Service Beginning at More Neighborhood Free Library Branches

The Free Library of Philadelphia is actively restoring six-day service to more of our neighborhood library locations throughout the city. Saturday hours are being rolled out in waves, so more libraries will be added soon. Beginning…

Introducing Patron Perks: Save on Great Shows and Win Cool Prizes

Now you can win great prizes and access special offers just for being a patron of the Free Library of Philadelphia!     Kimmel Cultural Campus and The Philadelphia Orchestra Free Library patrons and staff can save up to…

December is Write A Business Plan Month!

Did you know December is National Write a Business Plan Month? The Business Resource and Innovation Center (BRIC) is a great place to start your business planning journey. What is the BRIC? The BRIC is a department of the Free Library…

Free Library Board of Trustees Public Meeting on Friday, December 8 at 8 a.m.

The  Free Library Board of Trustees  will be holding its second meeting of FY24 on Friday, December 8, 2023, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. View the upcoming meeting agenda.   To access the meeting: Join via Zoom with…

Handpicked Holiday Entertainment for All Ages From Our Catalog

At the Free Library, we believe that the holidays should be a time filled with warmth, wonder, and shared experiences for everyone, regardless of age or interests. With this in mind, we've scoured our catalog and digital collections…

Support the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation on Giving Tuesday

Happy Giving Tuesday ! This worldwide movement is an opportunity for people everywhere to use their individual power of generosity to remain connected and support their communities. Here at the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation ,…

Storytimes at Christmas Village and More Holiday Fun

Join the Free Library this holiday season at Philadelphia’s authentic German Christmas market, presented by Bank of America! Christmas Village will light up LOVE Park and City Hall from Thanksgiving (November…

“Making Shakespeare: The First Folio” - Featuring a Cherished Free Library Artifact

The Free Library of Philadelphia is the proud custodian of an astounding literary artifact in our Rare Book Department : a copy of Shakespeare's First Folio that belonged to English poet and intellectual John Milton…

Giving Tuesday is Coming!

With the spirit of giving on our minds, we want to remind you that November 28 is Giving Tuesday ! Founded in 2012, Giving Tuesday has grown into a worldwide movement. It is a powerful way for you to continue the warmth and goodwill of…

10 Free Library Podcast Episodes Perfect for Thanksgiving

In honor of the Thanksgiving holiday, we present a curated collection of podcasts from our Author Events series archive.   Thanksgiving is often traditionally associated with America’s indigenous peoples, but what is the real…

Manga 101: Related Concepts

In our Manga 101 series, we’ve answered some frequently asked questions , defined some common manga terms , and looked at some of the most popular manga genres found at the Free Library. This time, we’ll take a look at other…

Elevate Your Writing: 10 Author Events Podcasts Perfect for NaNoWriMo

November is National Novel Writing Month. That’s right, the goal is to write a whole novel in a month. For more information about National Novel Writing Month, check out  NaNoWriMo.org . While the very idea of writing a whole…

Local Thanksgiving Food Drives and Shared Meals for Those in Need

Thanksgiving is only a week away! In the spirit of the holiday, here are some local Thanksgiving-related community events that include turkey drives, giveaways, and free Thanksgiving meals for seniors, families in need, and people…

Six-Day Service Beginning at 10 Neighborhood Free Library Branches

The Free Library of Philadelphia is excited to announce the return of six-day service at 10 of our neighborhood library locations throughout the city. Saturday hours are being rolled out in waves, so more libraries will be added soon.…

Take Part in a Free Library Holiday Tradition: Dedicate a Bookplate!

Can you believe the holiday season is almost upon us? While families are preparing to celebrate their favorite holiday traditions, we invite you to join the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation for one of our own cherished…

Faces of the Free Library: Meet Grace!

With all the hiring excitement going on at the Free Library recently, there’s a mix of both new and familiar faces in all of the branches, and you might be wondering what some of these folks do. " Faces of the Free Library…

It's the Season of Giving!

November is here, and the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation is excited to soak up the last full month of autumn with programs and events at the Free Library! Browse the  event calendar  now and find festive…

30 Libraries Will Serve As Polling Places for the November 7, 2023 Municipal Election

Municipal Election Day is Tuesday, November 7, 2023 , and 30 of our neighborhood libraries will serve as designated voting locations. Polls are open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. Remember: anyone in line by 8 p.m. will be…

Nurturing Your Baby in the Womb: The Benefits of Prenatal Education

Pregnancy is an amazing journey filled with excitement, wonder, and the anticipation of meeting your little one for the first time. Even before birth, it’s a time when parents typically start thinking about how they can provide…

Patent and Trademark Resource Center Appointments Now Available

Are you an inventor, artist, entrepreneur, or small business owner interested in learning how to protect your idea and business assets? The Free Library of Philadelphia's  Patent and Trademark Resource Center (PTRC) is…

Chair Yoga

Join us for a 1-hour gentle yoga practice that uses a chair for seating and balance. Taught by Janet McAllister Faulls, a registered yoga teacher with over 12 years of experience in Philadelphia. All ages and abilities welcome.…

Falls Book Group

The book selection for this month will be Before We Were Yours ,   by Lisa Wingate (2017). The Falls Book Group is one of the Free Library's longest running programs and is open to all.  Interested in joining? …

Chair Yoga

Join us for a 1-hour gentle yoga practice that uses a chair for seating and balance. Taught by Janet McAllister Faulls, a registered yoga teacher with over 12 years of experience in Philadelphia. All ages and abilities welcome.…

Senior Health Information Series

Join us for an eight-part series on useful health information for seniors.  The series will be presented by Ms. Jeraldine Kohut, Community Liaison at Presbyterian Senior Living.  We will meet on the third Tuesday of the month,…

Chair Yoga

Join us for a 1-hour gentle yoga practice that uses a chair for seating and balance. Taught by Janet McAllister Faulls, a registered yoga teacher with over 12 years of experience in Philadelphia. All ages and abilities welcome.…

Yoga

Join us for a free yoga class for adults taught by instructor Anne-Marie Mulgrew. This one-hour class is for all levels of practice, and you can bring your own mat or use one of ours. No need to register, just show up! This weekly class…

Chair Yoga

Join us for a 1-hour gentle yoga practice that uses a chair for seating and balance. Taught by Janet McAllister Faulls, a registered yoga teacher with over 12 years of experience in Philadelphia. All ages and abilities welcome.…

Drag Queen Storytime with Brittany Lynn

Hear stories about love, diversity, and acceptance, and enjoy arts and crafts and interactive singing.

Yoga

Join us for a free yoga class for adults taught by instructor Anne-Marie Mulgrew. This one-hour class is for all levels of practice, and you can bring your own mat or use one of ours. No need to register, just show up! This weekly class…

Chair Yoga

Join us for a 1-hour gentle yoga practice that uses a chair for seating and balance. Taught by Janet McAllister Faulls, a registered yoga teacher with over 12 years of experience in Philadelphia. All ages and abilities welcome.…

Read, Baby, Read Storytime & Playgroup

Join us every Friday for lap time with stories, songs, rhymes, and bounces! Stay after storytime for playgroup.  This program is for babies and their caregivers. Siblings are welcome.    Read Baby Read made possible by a…

Preschool Storytime

Join Ms. Scout for stories, songs, and rhymes, and stay for playtime afterwards! Intended for our friends ages 6 and under and their caregivers. In good weather, this program will be held outdoors in Shakespeare Park,…

Full STEAM Ahead!

Are you ready for some fun? Join us on Thursdays from 3:30-4:30 pm for fun programs that will involve science, technology, engineering, art, and/or math! We'll be constructing, building, painting, creating, exploring, and…

Preschool Storytime and Playgroup

Join us for Preschool Storytime every Wednesday! Enjoy stories, rhythms, and songs. Stay after storytime for playgroup. This program is intended for ages 2 to 5 and their caregivers. Siblings are welcome.

Yoga

Join us for a free yoga class for adults taught by instructor Anne-Marie Mulgrew. This one-hour class is for all levels of practice, and you can bring your own mat or use one of ours. No need to register, just show up! This weekly class…

LEAP into Fun!

Join the LEAP team for craft and construction projects in our Story Hour Room. All ages (12 and under) are welcome!   The Literacy Enrichment Afterschool Program (LEAP) offers K-12 out-of-school programming that fosters…

Read, Baby, Read Storytime & Playgroup

Join us every Friday for lap time with stories, songs, rhymes, and bounces! Stay after storytime for playgroup.  This program is for babies and their caregivers. Siblings are welcome.    Read Baby Read made possible by a…

Preschool Storytime

Join Ms. Scout for stories, songs, and rhymes, and stay for playtime afterwards! Intended for our friends ages 6 and under and their caregivers. In good weather, this program will be held outdoors in Shakespeare Park,…

Full STEAM Ahead!

Are you ready for some fun? Join us on Thursdays from 3:30-4:30 pm for fun programs that will involve science, technology, engineering, art, and/or math! We'll be constructing, building, painting, creating, exploring, and…

Preschool Storytime and Playgroup

Join us for Preschool Storytime every Wednesday! Enjoy stories, rhythms, and songs. Stay after storytime for playgroup. This program is intended for ages 2 to 5 and their caregivers. Siblings are welcome.

Louis W. Ballard Blog Post

Ballard, who was of Quapaw and Cherokee descent, was a classically trained musician who never relinquished his deep love and pride for his cultural heritage. Ballard's compositions are at the Fleisher Collection of Orchestral Music!…

Edgar Allen Poe

Explore the gothic and macabre with a Philadelphia favorite.

Authors and Their Typewriters: Zora Neale Hurston

A list to honor author Zora Neale Hurston, who typed her works on a Remington Portable no. 5.

Francis Johnson Booklist

Johnson’s life is being rediscovered! An exhibit of his life and work is featured in the Black Founders: The Forten Family of Philadelphia at the Museum of the American Revolution. Also, the Free Library is proud to have Johnson’s…

Holiday Cookbooks

Our curated collection of holiday cookbooks offers a delightful array of culinary inspirations, allowing you to create mouthwatering dishes, sweet treats, and unforgettable feasts that will leave a lasting impression on your festive…

2023 Holiday

Join us in celebrating this special time of year by exploring our library catalog's holiday collection. This list features books, DVDs, music, and more that capture the essence of the holidays for all ages.

New Books in the Art Department - Winter 2023

Place a hold and have one sent to your branch, or stop by and browse!

Teens' Books about Social Emotional Learning

The Penn Libraries Community Engagement Department collaboratively developed this book list with the West Philadelphia Alliance for Children (WEPAC) and Philadelphia Public Schools.

Teens' Books about Sexual Health

The Penn Libraries Community Engagement Department collaboratively developed this book list with the West Philadelphia Alliance for Children (WEPAC) and Philadelphia Public Schools.

Teens' Books about Identifying Misinformation and Assessing Credibility

The Penn Libraries Community Engagement Department collaboratively developed this book list with the West Philadelphia Alliance for Children (WEPAC) and Philadelphia Public Schools.

Teens' Books about Mental Health

The Penn Libraries Community Engagement Department collaboratively developed this book list with the West Philadelphia Alliance for Children (WEPAC) and Philadelphia Public Schools.

Teens' Books about LGBTQIA

The Penn Libraries Community Engagement Department collaboratively developed this book list with the West Philadelphia Alliance for Children (WEPAC) and Philadelphia Public Schools.

Teens' Books about Impactful People

The Penn Libraries Community Engagement Department collaboratively developed this book list with the West Philadelphia Alliance for Children (WEPAC) and Philadelphia Public Schools.

Teens' Books about Family

The Penn Libraries Community Engagement Department collaboratively developed this book list with the West Philadelphia Alliance for Children (WEPAC) and Philadelphia Public Schools.

Teens' Books about Environmental Health

The Penn Libraries Community Engagement Department collaboratively developed this book list with the West Philadelphia Alliance for Children (WEPAC) and Philadelphia Public Schools.

Teens' Books about Disability

The Penn Libraries Community Engagement Department collaboratively developed this book list with the West Philadelphia Alliance for Children (WEPAC) and Philadelphia Public Schools.

Teens' Books about COVID

The Penn Libraries Community Engagement Department collaboratively developed this book list with the West Philadelphia Alliance for Children (WEPAC) and Philadelphia Public Schools.

Teens' Books about Caring For Your Body

The Penn Libraries Community Engagement Department collaboratively developed this book list with the West Philadelphia Alliance for Children (WEPAC) and Philadelphia Public Schools.

Teens' Books about Basic Health

The Penn Libraries Community Engagement Department collaboratively developed this book list with the West Philadelphia Alliance for Children (WEPAC) and Philadelphia Public Schools.

Value Line

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

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

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

TumbleBooks

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

Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy

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

Smithsonian Global Sound for Libraries

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

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

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

SimplyAnalytics

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

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.

Raquel Willis | The Risk It Takes to Bloom: On Life and Liberation

In conversation with Ernest Owens A writer, activist, and media strategist dedicated to Black transgender liberation, Raquel Willis has served as director of communications for Ms. Foundation for Women, a national organizer for the…

Beth Kephart | My Life in Paper: Adventures in Ephemera

Renowned for her ability “to generalize from her personal experience to the greater human one” ( The Washington Post ), Beth Kephart is the author of more than 30 books across a wide range of genres, including poetry, young adult…

Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter | The Upcycled Self: A Memoir on the Art of Becoming Who We Are

In conversation with Airea D. Matthews The winner of three Grammy Awards and three NAACP Image Awards,  Tariq Trotter , aka  Black Thought , is the MC and co-founder of The Roots. The Philly-based hip-hop group has produced 11 albums…

Sigrid Nunez | The Vulnerables: A Novel with Henry Hoke | Open Throat: A Novel

Sigrid Nunez won the 2018 National Book Award for The Friend , a “beautiful” novel “crammed with a world of insight into death, grief, art, and love” ( The Wall Street Journal ) in which a woman is forced to adopt her deceased best…

Jonathan Karl | Tired of Winning: Donald Trump and the End of the Grand Old Party

In conversation with Tamala Edwards, anchor, 6abc Action News morning edition Jonathan Karl is the author of the instant New York Times bestsellers Front Row at the Trump Show and Betrayal , behind-the-scenes accounts of Donald Trump…

Kimberlé Crenshaw | #SayHerName: Black Women’s Stories of Police Violence and Public Silence

In conversation with Dorothy Roberts One of the country’s foremost authorities in civil rights, Black feminist legal theory, race, and the law, Kimberlé Crenshaw is a law professor at UCLA and Columbia Law School, where in 1996 she…

Stephanie Land | Class: A Memoir of Motherhood, Hunger and Higher Education

In conversation with Errin Haines Stephanie Land is the author of the bestseller Maid , a memoir that “nails the sheer terror that comes with being poor, the exhausting vigilance of knowing that any misstep or twist of fate will push…

Tanisha Ford | Our Secret Society: Mollie Moon and the Glamour, Money, and Power Behind the Civil Rights Movement

In conversation with Marc Lamont Hill Tanisha Ford ’s Our Secret Society is a biography of Mollie Moon, the socialite, powerbroker, and founder of the National Urban League Guild, who was a key fundraiser for the Civil Rights Movement.…

Alice McDermott | Absolution

In conversation with Nomi Eve “Filled with so much universal experience, such haunting imagery, such urgent matters of life and death” ( The New York Times ), Alice McDermott’ s bestselling novels include Someone ; Charming Billy ,…

Joseph Sassoon | The Sassoons: The Great Global Merchants and the Making of an Empire

Watch the video here . “A marvelous epitaph to a monumental family, makers of several worlds and keepers of none” ( The Wall Street Journal ), Joseph Sassoon ’s eponymous historical volume The Sassoons charts the remarkable 19th-century…

David Brooks | How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen

Acclaimed for his ability to “elevate the unseen aspects of private experience into a vigorous and challenging conversation about what we all share” ( San Francisco Chronicle ), David Brooks has written an op-ed column for The New York…

Roz Chast | I Must be Dreaming

Watch the video here . Renowned for her “extraordinarily honest, searing and hilarious” ( San Francisco Chronicle ) takes on modern life, Roz Chast has published more than 1,000 cartoons in The New Yorker since 1978. She has written or…

Cristina García | Vanishing Maps: A Novel

In conversation with Rebeca L. Hey-Colón, Professor of Latinx Studies, Temple University Cristina García  is the author of eight “languid and sensual, curt and surprising” ( The New York Times Book Review ) novels, including  The Lady…

Melissa Broder | Death Valley: A Novel with Hilary Leichter | Terrace Story: A Novel

Melissa Broder is the author of Milk Fed , the “sensuous and delightfully delirious tale” ( O, The Oprah Magazine ) of a calorie-obsessed lapsed Jewish woman who falls under the spell of a zaftig Orthodox frozen yogurt store employee.…

Tim O'Brien | America Fantastica: A Novel

In conversation with Andy Kahan Meelya Gordon Memorial Lecture “As good as any piece of literature can get” ( Chicago Sun Times ), Tim O’Brien’s The Things They Carried was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Critics…

David Zucker | Surely You Can’t Be Serious: The True Story of Airplane

In conversation with comedian and author James "Murr" Murray Surely You Can’t Be Serious  is a behind-the-scenes making-of oral history of the 1980 comedy classic  Airplane! , as told by its equally legendary writers and directors David…

Nikhil Goyal | Live to See the Day: Coming of Age in American Poverty

In conversation with author and Pennsylvania State Senator, Nikil Saval In Live to See the Day , Nikhil Goyal offers a searing portrait of three Puerto Rican children struggling to survive in Philadelphia’s impoverished Kensington…

Martin Baron | Collision of Power: Trump, Bezos, and The Washington Post

Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation Endowed Lecture In conversation with David Boardman In Collision of Power , Martin Baron tells the inside story of the monumental power struggle between the venerable newspaper The Washington Post , its…

Rachel Maddow | Prequel: An American Fight Against Fascism

In conversation with Julian E. Zelizer Rachel Maddow  is host of the Emmy Award–winning  The Rachel Maddow Show  on MSNBC, as well as the #1  New York Times  best­selling author of  Drift  and  Blowout , and the  New York Times…

Angus Deaton | Economics in America: An Immigrant Economist Explores the Land of Inequality

In conversation with Binyamin Appelbaum Angus Deaton won the 2015 Nobel Prize in economics for his study of poverty, consumption, and welfare. The Dwight D. Eisenhower Professor of Economics and International Affairs Emeritus and Senior…

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

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 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…

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 & 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 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…

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…

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…

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…

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,…