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Philly Families, Get Ready for Reading Promise Week!

Reading Promise Week is October 7–15, 2023! Philly’s fourth annual family reading festival is back and bigger than ever. Over 70 free family events are giving away 16,000 children’s books citywide!  If you…

Honoring Indigenous Peoples' Day

The Free Library is proud to honor Indigenous Peoples' Day, celebrated on Monday, October 9, 2023 . Philadelphia is now one of the over 100 cities that have chosen to celebrate the holiday in lieu of Columbus Day. The official…

OURfest, National Coming Out Day's First Parade and Festival!

Philadelphia will make history with the nation’s first parade and festival in honor of National Coming Out Day, and the Free Library is honored to take part! Named OURfest , the weekend-long celebration October 6–8 was…

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at the Fifth Latin American Book Fair!

The vibrant spirit of the Latino community comes alive at the fifth annual  Latin American Book Fair in Philadelphia (LABF). This annual celebration, organized by a dedicated team of community leaders, has become a staple event…

Let Freedom Read: It's Banned Books Week!

October 1–7 is Banned Books Week , and this year's theme is " Let Freedom Read! " This important observance began in 1982 in response to a surge in book challenges in libraries, schools, and bookstores with the…

Faces of the Free Library: Meet Mark!

As patrons may know, the Free Library has been expanding staffing efforts throughout the library system in recent months. With all the hiring excitement, there’s a mix of both new and familiar faces in all of the branches, and you…

New Titles Coming to the Free Library in October!

Decorative gourd season is in full swing and the Free Library of Philadelphia has some treats to share with you, like these new titles coming to our shelves this fall! Young Children (up to 2nd Grade) Empanadas for Everyone by…

7 Great Ways To Improve Your English With the Free Library

The Languages and Learning Center offers relevant and engaging programs and resources for English language learners. Here are seven great ways we can help you learn, improve, and speak English!   Attend an English Conversation…

New Hours at Free Library Locations Effective October 16, 2023

The Free Library is excited to announce an update to our hours of operation in many neighborhood libraries, as well as Parkway Central and its departments! Patrons can expect these changes to go into effect on Monday, October 16, 2023 .…

JSTOR Database Access Has Changed

The JSTOR database, which provides more than 12 million scholarly journal articles, books, images, and primary sources in 75 disciplines, has changed its access policies. JSTOR has stopped the expanded access to…

Comix Club Spotlight Review, Plus a Special Event This Month!

This month’s Review Round-up features two cartoonists who frequently work on their comics in the Art Department , plus a peek inside Reptile House Comix ’s latest summer issue. Smell ya later, summer!   Gecko by Nate…

College and SAT Prep Workshops for the 2023–2024 School Year

This school year, college and test prep workshops return to the Free Library, hosted by Field Teen Center in partnership with The Alexander Advantage. This  free series is for youth ages 12–18 and includes both…

Join Something New: The Intergenerational Teen Book Club at PCI Library

Reading and discussing books is powerful! The connections we make with stories, with ourselves, and with others can bring us closer together and help us understand more about those who experience the world differently…

Introducing the 2023–24 Philadelphia Youth Poet Laureate

The Free Library of Philadelphia is pleased to announce the 2023–24 Philadelphia Youth Poet Laureate: Oyewumi Oyeniyi, a senior at Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School! She was selected from a competitive pool of applicants by the…

The Art and Influence of John Dowell: An Exhibition from Special Collections

by Laura S. and Karen K. In 1967, the Print and Picture Collection at Parkway Central Library purchased a print by a young Philadelphia artist named John Dowell. That first acquisition led to a relationship that has spanned 50…

Free Library Board of Trustees Public Meeting on Friday, September 22 at 8 a.m.

The  Free Library Board of Trustees  will be holding its first meeting of FY24 on Friday, September 22, 2023, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. View the upcoming meeting agenda.   To access the meeting: Join via Zoom with…

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month With Your Family

Is your family excited to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month with the Free Library? We are too! The mid-month heritage celebration is set from September 15–October 15  in order to include the Independence Days of…

Manga 101: BL, GL, and Beyond

In our previous Manga 101 installment, we covered romance manga. This time, we’ll take a look at two subgenres of romance manga (BL and GL), as well as some non-romantic LGBTQ+ manga.  BL BL is an abbreviation for Boys’…

4 Gale Databases Return to the Free Library

We are happy to announce the return of four popular electronic resources that are no longer carried by POWER Library, Pennsylvania’s Electronic Library. The Free Library of Philadelphia has subscribed to them…

5 Author Events To Catch This September

While it’s a bit of a bummer that summer is drawing to a close, we’re happy to welcome in some cooler weather alongside a brisk fall season of Free Library Author Events. And what a lineup we have! Let’s take an autumn…

Neurodiverse Reads: A Discussion Group for Adults and Older Teens

Adults and older teens are invited to participate in a monthly discussion series of books exploring neurological differences such as autism, ADHD, and more. Please register for this program by emailing hoopese@freelibrary.org, calling…

SAT Post-Proctored Exam

Introducing the 2023-2024 College and Test Prep series, hosted by Field Teen Center in partnership with The Alexander Advantage! These FREE workshops will be in-person with snacks provided. Spring workshops will take a deeper dive into…

Intergenerational Teen Book Club

Join us for a book club that will create space for meaningful conversations and bring different generations of readers together around the same book. This club is open to teens in grades 9-12 and their adult family member or mentor.…

Crochet Club

Come crochet with us every other Tuesday afternoon! Get Hooked is a casual, supportive, and beginner friendly crochet circle to work on your fiber arts and crafting projects together while making new friends and getting peer support.…

Neurodiverse Reads: A Discussion Group for Adults and Older Teens

Adults and older teens are invited to participate in a monthly discussion series of books exploring neurological differences such as autism, ADHD, and more. Please register for this program by emailing hoopese@freelibrary.org, calling…

SAT Mathematics Workshop

Introducing the 2023-2024 College and Test Prep series, hosted by Field Teen Center in partnership with The Alexander Advantage! These FREE workshops will be in-person with snacks provided. Spring workshops will take a deeper dive into…

Crochet Club

Come crochet with us every other Tuesday afternoon! Get Hooked is a casual, supportive, and beginner friendly crochet circle to work on your fiber arts and crafting projects together while making new friends and getting peer support.…

Intergenerational Teen Book Club

Join us for a book club that will create space for meaningful conversations and bring different generations of readers together around the same book. This club is open to teens in grades 9-12 and their adult family member or mentor.…

Homeschool Book Club

Join us to discuss books and life and drink tea!  This program is for homeschoolers in grades 4th - 6th.  Call 215-686-5369 or email HaaseL@freelibrary.org to register.  Copies of each book will be available to check…

Homeschool Book Club

Join us to discuss books and life and drink tea!  This program is for homeschoolers in grades 4th - 6th.  Call 215-686-5369 or email HaaseL@freelibrary.org to register.  Copies of each book will be available to check…

Crochet Club

Come crochet with us every other Tuesday afternoon! Get Hooked is a casual, supportive, and beginner friendly crochet circle to work on your fiber arts and crafting projects together while making new friends and getting peer support.…

Neurodiverse Reads: A Discussion Group for Adults and Older Teens

Adults and older teens are invited to participate in a monthly discussion series of books exploring neurological differences such as autism, ADHD, and more. Please register for this program by emailing hoopese@freelibrary.org, calling…

Crochet Club

Come crochet with us every other Tuesday afternoon! Get Hooked is a casual, supportive, and beginner friendly crochet circle to work on your fiber arts and crafting projects together while making new friends and getting peer support.…

Intergenerational Teen Book Club

Join us for a book club that will create space for meaningful conversations and bring different generations of readers together around the same book. This club is open to teens in grades 9-12 and their adult family member or mentor.…

Homeschool Book Club

Join us to discuss books and life and drink tea!  This program is for homeschoolers in grades 4th - 6th.  Call 215-686-5369 or email HaaseL@freelibrary.org to register.  Copies of each book will be available to check…

SAT Writing Workshop

Introducing the 2023-2024 College and Test Prep series, hosted by Field Teen Center in partnership with The Alexander Advantage! These FREE workshops will be in-person with snacks provided. Spring workshops will take a deeper dive into…

The Art and Influence of John Dowell

The Art and Influence of John Dowell  is the latest exhibition from the Free Library's Special Collections. The exhibition is on view Monday, October 2, 2023 through Friday, March 1, 2024 on the Second and Third Floors…

The Art and Influence of John Dowell

The Art and Influence of John Dowell  is the latest exhibition from the Free Library's Special Collections. The exhibition is on view Monday, October 2, 2023 through Friday, March 1, 2024 on the Second and Third Floors…

The Art and Influence of John Dowell

The Art and Influence of John Dowell  is the latest exhibition from the Free Library's Special Collections. The exhibition is on view Monday, October 2, 2023 through Friday, March 1, 2024 on the Second and Third Floors…

Crochet Club

Come crochet with us every other Tuesday afternoon! Get Hooked is a casual, supportive, and beginner friendly crochet circle to work on your fiber arts and crafting projects together while making new friends and getting peer support.…

Gay Slays - LGBT Teen Horror and Thrillers

Final girl for final girl (and more)

New Books in the Art Department - Fall 2023

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

Teen Spotlight on Hispanic Heritage Month

From September 15 to October 15, celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with these Latinx and Hispanic selections from the teen collection.

Pop-Up Komiks Book List

Filipino comics are a long and beloved print tradition in the Philippines and throughout the Filipino diasporas. In honor of Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa (National Language Month) on August 2023 we had on display high-quality reproductions…

From Blossoms Community Collaborative Book List

Philadelphia artist Kat Claar creates botanical compositions using fresh, dried, and silk flowers combined with custom-painted paper shapes. Claar’s approach blends her interest in floral design with fine art techniques to create unique…

2023 New Horror & Thriller Fiction

These spine-chilling novels will test your nerves, challenge your beliefs, and keep you on the edge of your seat. Whether you prefer ghostly apparitions, demonic forces, psychological thrills, or supernatural mysteries, this collection…

Hispanic Heritage Month for Children

These children's books are a great way to teach young ones about the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the United States and the cultural heritage of Spanish-speaking Americans.

Frankenstein Day: August 30th

Let's celebrate all things Frankenstein on August 30th! Be inspired by Mary Shelley's classic work, published in 1818.

Fun Books for Back to School (no really)

YOUR school might not have magic, backstabbing, and adventure, but we've got you covered.

The High Cost of Higher Education

Who does college benefit? Is higher education one size fits all? WHYY and the Northeast Regional Library are hosting a Bridging Blocks neighborhood discussion to understand the best path forward for young minds. Here is some further…

Manga - Romance

Fall in love with these manga series!

For fans of THE MEG 2: THE TRENCH and monster shark mayhem

Are you a fan of Jason Statham battling enormous prehistoric sharks (Megadalons specifically)? Looking for more aquatic thrills? Lucky for us that THE MEG (2018) and MEG 2: THE TRENCH (2023) are adaptions of the first two entries in…

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.

Malcolm Jenkins | What Winners Won't Tell You: Lessons from a Legendary Defender

In conversation with Michael Eric Dyson One of pro football’s all-time defensive greats, Malcolm Jenkins won Super Bowls with the Philadelphia Eagles and New Orleans Saints, and appeared in three Pro Bowls. He won the prestigious Jim…

Lidia Matticchio Bastianich | Lidia's From Our Family Table to Yours: More Than 100 Recipes Made with Love for All Occasions

In conversation with Heather Marold Thomason, Butcher & Founder of Primal Supply “The cookbook author who changed the way Americans cook Italian food” ( The New York Times ), Lidia Matticchio Bastianich is the author of 15 beloved…

Michael E. Mann | Our Fragile Moment: How Lessons from Earth's Past Can Help Us Survive the Climate Crisis

The Presidential Distinguished Professor and Director of the Center for Science, Sustainability, and the Media at the University of Pennsylvania, climatologist and geophysicist Michael E. Mann has greatly contributed to science’s…

Emily Wilson | The Iliad

In conversation with Sheila Murnaghan, chair of the classics department at the University of Pennsylvania “A cultural landmark” ( The Guardian ), Emily Wilson ’s 2017 translation of The Odyssey was hailed for its fresh and unpretentious…

Bettina L. Love | Punished for Dreaming: How School Reform Harms Black Children and How We Heal

In conversation with Marc Lamont Hill Bettina L. Love is the author of the bestseller We Want to Do More Than Survive: Abolitionist Teaching and the Pursuit of Educational Freedom , winner of the 2020 Society of Professors of Education…

Simon Schama | Foreign Bodies: Pandemics, Vaccines, and the Health of Nations

Pine Tree Foundation Endowed Lecture In conversation with Maiken Scott “A historian of prodigious and varied gifts” ( San Francisco Chronicle ), Simon Schama is the author of 20 books, including The Embarrassment of Riches; Scribble,…

Bernie Taupin | Scattershot: Life, Music, Elton and Me

In conversation with novelist and musician Wesley Stace Legendary English song lyricist Bernie Taupin has worked with Elton John since 1967 and has written the lyrics for most of the iconic performer’s hits, including “Rocket Man,”…

Jennifer Weiner | The Breakaway

Jennifer Weiner  is the no. 1  New York Times  bestselling author of more than a dozen “funny, fanciful, extremely poignant” ( The Boston Globe ) novels, including  That Summer ,  Mrs. Everything ,  Who Do You Love ,  All Fall Down , …

Jonathan Eig | King: A Life

Named one of the most anticipated books of the year by  The New York Times, The Washington Post, and  Newsweek ,  Jonathan Eig ’s  King , an “intimate, multidimensional biography” ( The Boston Globe ) of Martin Luther King Jr., offers a…

Sheryl Lee Ralph | Diva 2.0: 12 Life Lessons From Me For You

In conversation with award-winning journalist and broadcaster Tracey Matisak A celebrated veteran of film, television, and the Broadway stage, Sheryl Lee Ralph won an Emmy Award, a Critic’s Choice Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award…

James McBride | The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store

James McBride  is the author of the National Book Award-winning  The Good Lord Bird , “a brilliant romp of a novel” ( The New York Times Book Review ) in which a young boy born into slavery joins abolitionist John Brown’s doomed…

R. Eric Thomas | Congratulations, the Best Is Over!: Essays

R. Eric Thomas  is the author of the Lambda Literary Award finalist  Here for It: Or, How to Save Your Soul America , a bestselling essay collection that tackles just what it means to be an “other” in the maelstrom of modern America.…

Wesley Lowery | American Whitelash: A Changing Nation and the Cost of Progress

In conversation with award-winning journalist and broadcaster Tracey Matisak In  American Whitelash ,  Wesley Lowery  examines the cyclical pattern of violence that marks each watershed moment of racial progress in this country, most…

Barbara Butcher | What the Dead Know: Learning About Life as a New York City Death Investigator with Kate White | Between Two Strangers

Barbara Butcher  is the former chief of staff and director of the Forensic Sciences Training Program at the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME). Only the second woman hired as a death investigator in Manhattan (and the…

Jake Tapper | All the Demons Are Here: A Thriller

In conversation with Jim Gardner Jake Tapper  is the Washington, D.C., anchor and chief Washington correspondent for CNN, where he hosts the weekday program  The Lead with Jake Tapper  and the Sunday morning show  State of the Union .…

Christian Cooper | Better Living Through Birding: Notes from a Black Man in the Natural World

In conversation with Tamala Edwards, anchor, 6abc Action News morning edition Central Park birder Christian Cooper is the host and consulting producer on the National Geographic channel’s Extraordinary Birder and is on the board of…

Blair LM Kelley | Black Folk: The Roots of the Black Working Class

In conversation with Marc Lamont Hill Referred to by acclaimed author and academic Michael Eric Dyson as “one of the most important works of history to come across my desk in a long time,” Blair LM Kelley’s Black Folk: The Roots of the…

One Book One Philadelphia Finale: Author Conversation with Charles Yu

Join us at the Community College of Philadelphia for a celebration to conclude the One Book, One Philadelphia 2023 season. This event will feature an in-person conversation between Charles Yu and Dr. Michelle Myers, associate professor…

David E. Guggenheim | The Remarkable Reefs Of Cuba: Hopeful Stories From the Ocean Doctor

A marine scientist, ocean explorer, conservation policy specialist, and submarine pilot, David E. Guggenheim, Ph.D. is the founder and president of Ocean Doctor, a nonprofit organization committed to advancing the conservation of the…

Christine Pride and Jo Piazza | You Were Always Mine

In conversation with Alexandra Auder, author of Don't Call Me Home: A Memoir Publishing industry veteran  Christine Pride  has held a variety of editorial positions at Doubleday, Simon & Schuster, and Crown, among other publishing…

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"…

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…