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Abortion and Women's Rights 1970: Film Screening and Panel Discussion

On Tuesday, January 21, at 6:00 p.m. the Social Science and History Department will screen Abortion and Women's Rights 1970 , the first documentary made in the U.S. about the struggle for reproductive rights. Following the…

Secretary to the People: Activating Democracy With Art

On a recent winter day, Sheryl Oring found her childhood library cards and the memories came flooding back. For Oring, the local library was a refuge: a place for kids to feel safer and dream with fewer interruptions. As a…

When Your Favorite Creator Does Something Terrible

With the internet at our fingertips, learning about the people who make our media has become much easier. Sometimes, we learn things we wish we could un-learn. The betrayal feels so personal. How can the stories that inspire and comfort…

Mark Edgar Allan Poe's 215th Birthday with Live Theater at the Library

January 19 marks the 215th birthday of poet and author Edgar Allan Poe . Poe lived in Philadelphia from 1838 to 1844, when he published his most famous poem, "The Raven." To commemorate the anniversary of Poe’s…

Dena's Favorite Books of 2024

It's the 13th annual list of my favorite books — the 2024 edition! This year I leaned quite heavily into my three favorite genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Romance. I also seemed to zero in on joyful books. But…

New Titles Coming to the Free Library in January

Check out some new titles for the New Year! Young Children (up to 2nd Grade) We Are Lion Dancers by Benson Shum Celebrate Lunar New Year with the lion dance, bringing good luck and fortune to all. In this story designed to engage early…

The Top Titles Checked Out from the Free Library in 2024

As we come to terms with the results of our Spotify Wrapped lists, the Free Library is again wrapping up our year with the most circulated items of 2024! While it may feel like it snuck past us, it was an…

The Central Children's Department's Book Awards of 2024

What did we read in 2024?  From "Most 2024" to "Terrible Schools and Awesome Adventures," Parkway Central Children’s Department has all the extremely specific book awards you never knew you needed!  …

Find Your Next Great Book with NoveList Plus!

We are pleased to reintroduce NoveList Plus , a longtime favorite electronic resource among book lovers. NoveList Plus is a database designed to help readers (or listeners) find their next books or audiobooks based on the titles,…

A Kwanzaa Keepsake: Celebrating with New Traditions and Feasts

A Kwanzaa Keepsake by Dr. Jessica B. Harris, author of High on the Hog , is an invitation to honor, connect, create, and cook. Besides the cooking, it may move you to gather family recipes to pass down as gifts, collect food…

Learn a Foreign Language With Our Electronic Resources

December is National Learn a Foreign Language Month! To celebrate, Languages and Learning , the adult learning department of the Free Library, is highlighting some of the resources available with your library card . Learning a new…

Giving Back With the Free Library Foundation

There are over 50 Free Library locations in neighborhoods across Philly, and everyone has a favorite, along with fond memories of Author Events ; One Book, One Philadelphia ;  special exhibitions ; and incredible initiatives…

Free Library Board of Trustees Public Meeting on Friday, December 13 at 8:00 a.m.

The Free Library Board of Trustees will be holding its second meeting of FY25 on Friday, December 13, 2024, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. The meeting will be held in person in Rooms 405/406/407 at Parkway Central Library , 1901…

Discover Queer-Friendly Reads Recommended by the Trans by Trans Book Club

Greetings from the Trans by Trans Book Club folks! Are you looking for recommendations based on our recent reads? Check out these book club read-a-likes. *Note - Not all titles are written by trans authors about trans people.  …

Celebrate National Learn a Foreign Language Month With Languages and Learning

December is National Learn a Foreign Language Month! Maybe you’re looking for something to do over your winter break or already thinking about your 2025 goals. There’s never a bad time to start your language-learning…

Temporary Closure of the Rare Book Department

The Rare Book Department , located on the Third Floor of Parkway Central Library , is closed as of November 4th, 2024 for the installation of a new HVAC system.  Climate control is of the utmost importance for our Special…

Holiday Cheer for Children and Families

It’s almost time to bundle up warm and join the Free Library for festive storytimes at the Christmas Village in LOVE Park! Every year, LOVE Park is transformed into an authentic German-style outdoor holiday market, presented by…

New Titles Coming to the Free Library in December

There’s a lot to explore this December with a mix of new titles coming to the Free Library's shelves!   Young Children (up to 2nd Grade) Wake Up, Moon! by Lita Judge A playful squirrel defies bedtime, delighting in a…

Learn About the Mankiewicz Brothers’ Impact on Hollywood With “Scripting the Movies”

Few individuals better encapsulated the highs and lows of the Golden Age of Hollywood than the Mankiewicz brothers. Filmmakers Herman (1897–1953) and Joe (1909–1993) are the subjects of the Free Library’s upcoming…

Learn the Art of Soldering at the Library

Fancy yourself as a do-it-yourself handyman or looking to pick up a new skill? Want to dive into the world of electronics and repair the wire in your mouse, or salvage your favorite keyboard? Look no further! Join the Free…

Resume Review with Dress For Success

Need to refresh your resume? We're excited to partner with  Dress for Success Greater Philadelphia  to offer resume review services and job search assistance on the first Thursday of each month! Resume review will be…

Treasures from the Literature Vault

Do you love old books? Then join us for Treasures from the Vault– a casual, hands-on book club program spotlighting items from the Literature vault! The vault, home to our closed reference collections, is a treasure trove of…

Resume Review with Dress For Success

Need to refresh your resume? We're excited to partner with  Dress for Success Greater Philadelphia  to offer resume review services and job search assistance on the first Thursday of each month! Resume review will be…

Bridging Blocks: A WHYY Community Conversation

This event will be held in Parkway Central's Skyline Room - please take the gold lobby elevators to the 4th Floor. Join WHYY News Community & Engagement team for Bridging Blocks, a civic dialogue series in partnership…

Resume Review with Dress For Success

Need to refresh your resume? We're excited to partner with  Dress for Success Greater Philadelphia  to offer resume review services and job search assistance on the first Thursday of each month! Resume review will be…

Treasures from the Literature Vault

Do you love old books? Then join us for Treasures from the Vault– a casual, hands-on book club program spotlighting items from the Literature vault! The vault, home to our closed reference collections, is a treasure trove of…

Resume Review with Dress For Success

Need to refresh your resume? We're excited to partner with  Dress for Success Greater Philadelphia  to offer resume review services and job search assistance on the first Thursday of each month! Resume review will be…

Bridging Blocks: A WHYY Community Conversation

This event will be held in Parkway Central's Skyline Room - please take the gold lobby elevators to the 4th Floor. Join WHYY News Community & Engagement team for Bridging Blocks, a civic dialogue series in partnership…

Resume Review with Dress For Success

Need to refresh your resume? We're excited to partner with  Dress for Success Greater Philadelphia  to offer resume review services and job search assistance on the first Thursday of each month! Resume review will be…

Treasures from the Literature Vault

Do you love old books? Then join us for Treasures from the Vault– a casual, hands-on book club program spotlighting items from the Literature vault! The vault, home to our closed reference collections, is a treasure trove of…

Resume Review with Dress For Success

Need to refresh your resume? We're excited to partner with  Dress for Success Greater Philadelphia  to offer resume review services and job search assistance on the first Thursday of each month! Resume review will be…

Resume Review with Dress For Success

Need to refresh your resume? We're excited to partner with  Dress for Success Greater Philadelphia  to offer resume review services and job search assistance on the first Thursday of each month! Resume review will be…

Bridging Blocks: A WHYY Community Conversation

This event will be held in Parkway Central's Skyline Room - please take the gold lobby elevators to the 4th Floor. Join WHYY News Community & Engagement team for Bridging Blocks, a civic dialogue series in partnership…

Treasures from the Literature Vault

Do you love old books? Then join us for Treasures from the Vault– a casual, hands-on book club program spotlighting items from the Literature vault! The vault, home to our closed reference collections, is a treasure trove of…

Resume Review with Dress For Success

Need to refresh your resume? We're excited to partner with  Dress for Success Greater Philadelphia  to offer resume review services and job search assistance on the first Thursday of each month! Resume review will be…

Resume Review with Dress For Success

Need to refresh your resume? We're excited to partner with  Dress for Success Greater Philadelphia  to offer resume review services and job search assistance on the first Thursday of each month! Resume review will be…

Treasures from the Literature Vault

Do you love old books? Then join us for Treasures from the Vault– a casual, hands-on book club program spotlighting items from the Literature vault! The vault, home to our closed reference collections, is a treasure trove of…

Resume Review with Dress For Success

Need to refresh your resume? We're excited to partner with  Dress for Success Greater Philadelphia  to offer resume review services and job search assistance on the first Thursday of each month! Resume review will be…

Treasures from the Literature Vault

Do you love old books? Then join us for Treasures from the Vault– a casual, hands-on book club program spotlighting items from the Literature vault! The vault, home to our closed reference collections, is a treasure trove of…

Resume Review with Dress For Success

Need to refresh your resume? We're excited to partner with  Dress for Success Greater Philadelphia  to offer resume review services and job search assistance on the first Thursday of each month! Resume review will be…

2024 in Books

A gay woman’s year in books

To Be Read

What I’m looking forward to…

2025 in Books

A gay woman’s record of reading in 2025

Teen Staff Favorites: Yona's Picks

In a reading slump? Try something recommended by one of your local teen librarians!

2025 Checkouts

Everything I checked out in 2025

Lynsay Sands

Perfect

Patterns of Knowledge

A collaboration with The Fabric Workshop and Museum: https://libwww.freelibrary.org/calendar/event/145731

May McGoldrick

He's so hot handsome and sexy

Yasmin Sullivan

It's beautiful

JUDGEMENT OF THE NATIONS

The judgement counted 99% to the goats and almost 1% to nothing in the sheeps? The question is so simple: DO YOU KNOW WHO IS OUR GOD AND FATHER? 2ND SAMUEL 24 and 1ST CHRONICLES 21.

Interactive Read-Alouds

These picture books are great for getting kids up and interacting with the book during storytime.

Black Histories of Philadelphia

Black Histories of Philadelphia is an exhibition that opens on January 20th, 2025 in the Second Floor West Gallery of the Parkway Central Library, featuring items from the Children's Literature Research Collection, the Map Collection,…

2024: The Favorites

This year Librarian Dena has read 240 books. Of those, she has picked her 30 favorites to share with you. It's the 13th annual list of Dena's favorite books — the 2024 edition!

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.

The Intertextual Self: New Approaches to the Memoir

The Author Events Series presents The Intertextual Self: New Approaches to the Memoir REGISTER Memoirists most often focus on the authenticity of their own voice and experience, and how best to render on the page the intersection of…

Bill Clinton | Citizen: My Life After the White House

The Author Events Series presents Bill Clinton | Citizen: My Life After the White House REGISTER In Conversation with Jonathan Capehart A powerful, candid, and richly detailed memoir from an American icon, revealing what life looks like…

Lori Ginzberg | Tangled Journeys

The Author Events Series presents Lori Ginzberg | Tangled Journeys  REGISTER In conversation with Tamala Edwards In 1830 Richard Walpole Cogdell, a husband, father, and bank clerk in Charleston, South Carolina, purchased a…

Andre Robert Lee | A Conversation with the Documentary Filmmaker and Author

The Author Events Series presents Andre Robert Lee | A Conversation with the Documentary Filmmaker and Author REGISTER In Conversation with Cherri Gregg André Robert Lee most recently served as the Executive Producer of Notes From…

Maira Kalman | Still Life with Remorse

From the critically acclaimed artist, designer, and author of the bestsellers The Principles of Uncertainty, My Favorite Things, and Women Holding Things comes a moving meditation in words and pictures on remorse, joy, ancestry, and…

Malcolm Gladwell | Revenge of the Tipping Point

Congregation Rodeph Shalom 615 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA  19123 Enter at 1339 Green Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123 The Author Events Series presents Malcolm Gladwell |  Revenge of the Tipping Point  REGISTER In conversation…

Paola Mendoza | Solis: A Companion to Sanctuary

The Author Events Series presents Paola Mendoza | Solis: A Companion to Sanctuary   REGISTER In conversation with AJ Hikes From the authors of Sanctuary comes a haunting near-future companion tale about undocumented immigrants subjected…

Francis Collins | The Road to Wisdom: On Truth, Science, Faith, and Trust

The Author Events Series presents Francis Collins |  The Road to Wisdom: On Truth, Science, Faith, and Trust REGISTER In conversation with Kathleen Hall Jamieson In  The Road to Wisdom , Francis Collins reminds us of the four core…

Carrie Rickey | A Complicated Passion, The Life and Work of Agnès Varda

The Author Events Series presents Carrie Rickey |  A Complicated Passion, The Life and Work of Agnès Varda  REGISTER In conversation with Gary Kramer Born in Los Angeles,  Carrie Rickey  is an award-winning film critic, art critic, and…

SOLD OUT! Melissa Fitzgerald and Mary McCormack | What's Next: A Backstage Pass to the West Wing

SOLD OUT The Author Events Series presents Melissa Fitzgerald & Mary McCormack |  What's Next: A Backstage Pass to the West Wing  REGISTER WHAT’S NEXT: A Backstage Pass to The West Wing, Its Cast and Crew, and Its Enduring Legacy of…

Daniel Schlozman and Sam Rosenfeld | The Hollow Parties: The Many Pasts and Disordered Present of American Party Politics

In conversation with author and Pennsylvania State Senator, Nikil Saval In The Hollow Parties , Daniel Schlozman and Sam Rosenfeld present a comprehensive history of the rise of American mass party politics through the Jacksonian era up…

George Stephanopoulos | The Situation Room: The Inside Story of Presidents in Crisis

Meelya Gordon Memorial Lecture In conversation with Tamala Edwards, anchor, 6abc Action News morning edition. ABC News’ Chief Anchor, the host of  This Week with George Stephanopoulos , and co-anchor of  Good Morning America ,  George…

Paul Hendrickson | Fighting the Night: Iwo Jima, WW II and a Flyer’s Life

In conversation with Wil Haygood Paul Hendrickson ’s books include  Sons of Mississippi , winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award;  Hemingway’s Boat: Everything He Loved in Life, and Lost, 1934–1961 , a National Book Critics…

Claire Messud | This Strange Eventful History: A Novel

In conversation with Laura McGrath, Assistant Professor of English at Temple University “Among our greatest contemporary writers” ( The Miami Herald ),  Claire Messud  is the author of  The Emperor’s Children , a cutting portrait of…

Colm Tóibín | Long Island: A Novel

“His generation’s most gifted writer of love’s complicated, contradictory power” (Los Angeles Times) ,  Colm Tóibín  is the author of an impressive list of novels, short stories, essays, plays, poetry, and criticism. His novels  The…

Jen Psaki | Say More: Lessons from Work, the White House, and the World

In conversation with Annie Duke An “unflappable and genial point-person” ( The New York Times ),  Jen Psaki  served as the thirty-fourth White House Press Secretary under President Biden until May 2022. Currently the host of MSNBC’s…

Frank Bruni | The Age of Grievance

In conversation with Karen Heller, former national features writer and current contributor for The Washington Post, formerly a metro and features columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer, and a finalist for the 2001 Pulitzer Prize in…

Erik Larson | The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War

In conversation with award winning broadcaster and journalist, Tracey Matisak. “America’s most compelling popular historian” (The Christian Science Monitor) ,  Erik Larson  is the bestselling author of eight critically acclaimed books,…

Karen Valby | The Swans of Harlem: Five Black Ballerinas, Fifty Years of Sisterhood, and Their Reclamation of a Groundbreaking History

Featuring: Lydia Abarça, Sheila Rohan, Marcia Sells, Karlya Shelton, and Khadija Tariyan (daughter of Gayle McKinney Griffith) In conversation with Shelly Power, The Dr. Carolyn Newsom Executive Director, Philadelphia Ballet Karen Valby…

Dasha Kiper | Travelers to Unimaginable Lands: Stories of Dementia, the Caregivers, and the Human Brain

In conversation with Dr. Jason Karlawish In partnership with the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society The clinical consulting director of support groups at The CaringKind (formerly The Alzheimer's Association),  Dasha Kiper  has an MA in…

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 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…

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,…