Tagged
The Mysterious Traveler All-Stars Treat You to a Free Pop Performance!
On Monday, January 27 at 7:00 p.m. , at the Parkway Central Library , the Mysterious Traveler All-Stars will present a fascinating concert of interpretations of contemporary Pop tunes - all filtered through their masterful Jazz…
Celebrate the Year of the Rat with the Free Library!
Join the Free Library of Philadelphia as we celebrate Chinese New Year 2020 and the Year of the Rat ! Chinese New Year is a fifteen-day celebration that starts on the new moon (also known as Lunar New Year, or "Little Year").…
Michelle Obama Grows a Garden
Today is the birthday of celebrated former First Lady and citizen of the world, Michelle Obama . A political figure in her own right, Michelle Obama is well known for her healthy eating campaign, Lets Move! The campaign targeted…
The Doctor is In: Doctor Dolittle Revisited
I’m excited and intrigued by the upcoming release of the new Doctor Dolittle movie starring Robert Downey, Jr. — Dolittle ... The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle was one of the first novels I ever read as a young boy growing up…
There's a Rumbly in My Tumbly
Grab your honey pot, ‘cause it’s National Winnie the Pooh Day this upcoming Saturday, January 18! Author Alan Alexander Milne ’s birthday is also January 18, and for good reason, there is a holiday made in his stead.…
MLK Day of Service | When the Youth Lead
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a strongly celebrated day in Philadelphia. People of all ages come together to support their communities and uplift the values of MLK’s civil rights leadership during this nationally recognized Day of…
#OneBookWednesday | It's Almost Time for the One Book, One Philadelphia Kickoff!
It's almost time for the One Book, One Philadelphia kickoff! On January 22 at 7:30 p.m. at Parkway Central Library we will officially launch our 18th season of One Book, One Philadelphia . This event will include a reading…
Reflecting on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Visit to Philadelphia: A Personal Account
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stands with one arm stretched high above his head, waving to the crowd, with a broad smile on his face, as the legendary Philadelphia civil rights attorney and firebrand Cecil B. Moore stands to one…
Neighborhood Beginnings: 11 Things You Should Know About Mt. Airy
In preparation for a special Free Library event taking place this Wednesday, January 15 at Lovett Library , today we'll be looking at the history and architecture of Mt. Airy. The neighborhood has a fascinating history, along with…
Newest Additions to the National Film Registry
For Hollywood, the time spanning November through March is known as "film awards season" . Between the People's Choice Awards , Golden Globe Awards , the Oscars , the Golden Raspberry Awards , as well as…
Digital Inclusion, Equity, and Access | Mercy Neighborhood Ministries Hot Spot
The Free Library cares about digital inclusion, equity, and access, and has expanded beyond the walls of our 54 neighborhood libraries to partner with area nonprofits, providing free access to technology and programming to increase the…
#OneBookWednesday | One Book 2020 Event Highlights
On Wednesday, January 22, Tommy Orange will join us in Philadelphia for the One Book, One Philadelphia Kickoff , which launches eight weeks of more than 130 events exploring the themes in his novel There There . Below are some featured…
Spring 2020 Author Events Preview
As we head into the roaring '20s, let’s look forward to the Spring 2020 Free Library Author Events schedule , highlight a few of our guests, and offer up some other important details... Tickets go on sale to the public today,…
Y is for Youth
Philadelphia is a wellspring of inspiring young people, with our innovative communities and the creative spirit of the city bringing out the best in many of our young leaders. Today, we would like to give back! Have you been thinking…
Census 2020, Your Community, and You: Information and Employment Opportunities
The United States has counted its population every 10 years since 1790, and in 2020 we will do so again with a Census . Why does the country undertake this challenging count? Well, it's mandated by the U.S. Constitution (Article 1,…
We are HIRING Librarians!
Are you passionate about serving diverse populations in an urban public library setting? Are you a librarian with a Master's Degree? If so, please consider these community-focused librarian positions housed within a large, municipal…
Food Insecurity, English Language Learning, and Community Conversations in North Philadelphia
Edible Alphabet is a free English language learning program offered to adults by the Free Library's Culinary Literacy Center . The mission of the program is to teach English language and literacy skills through hands-on cooking and…
New Titles Coming to the Free Library in January!
A new year and decade has arrived; time to take stock of where we are and begin anew. May we suggest some inspirational children’s titles, and a new book by Martha Stewart to help you organize your home and your life? No?…
Let the Free Library Help You with Your New Year’s Resolution!
Can you believe we’re about to turn the page on this decade and welcome 2020? I sure can’t! With every passing year – but particularly a momentous one like this – I can’t help but turn my attention to goals…
My Top Five Free Library Moments of 2019
Can you believe 2019 is almost in the books? It has been a big year for us here at the Free Library of Philadelphia, and with December winding down I wanted to take this opportunity to reflect on and celebrate some of my favorite…
Job Seeking Toolkit
Learn about Free Library resources to assist you in the job seeking process. We will discuss best practices, resume and cover letter writing, effective search strategies, and online resources. Advance registration is requested.…
Pop-Up Cooking Classes 2020
Stop by once a month for Keisha Prosser’s Pop-up Mobile Cooking classes. Bringing the fun back into the kitchen! Lessons include: knife skills, team building, cooking and baking principles, food safety, healthy choices, and how to…
Pathway Forward: GED Preparation and ABE Classes
Join Pathway Forward and the Free Library of Philadelphia's Languages and Learning Center for FREE GED. and Adult Basic Education classes on Saturdays and Sundays. Free Classes on Saturdays 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.…
Pathway Forward: GED Preparation and ABE Classes
Join Pathway Forward and the Free Library of Philadelphia's Languages and Learning Center for FREE GED. and Adult Basic Education classes on Saturdays and Sundays. Free Classes on Saturdays 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.…
Headshots at the BRIC!
Get a FREE headshot photo taken at the Business Resource and Innovation Center (BRIC)! Headshots are a new service for entrepreneurs, nonprofit professionals, job seekers, and more! Use your photo to enhance your professional…
Japanese Conversation Club
Join us in Rooms 405-406 to enjoy a casual environment where you can talk about all things Japan! All levels of Japanese and English speakers are welcome. Registration not required. For more information contact JAPANPHILLY.ORG…
Pathway Forward: GED Preparation and ABE Classes
Join Pathway Forward and the Free Library of Philadelphia's Languages and Learning Center for FREE GED. and Adult Basic Education classes on Saturdays and Sundays. Free Classes on Saturdays 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.…
Pathway Forward: GED Preparation and ABE Classes
Join Pathway Forward and the Free Library of Philadelphia's Languages and Learning Center for FREE GED. and Adult Basic Education classes on Saturdays and Sundays. Free Classes on Saturdays 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.…
Headshots at the BRIC!
Get a FREE headshot photo taken at the Business Resource and Innovation Center (BRIC)! Headshots are a new service for entrepreneurs, nonprofit professionals, job seekers, and more! Use your photo to enhance your professional…
Pathway Forward: GED Preparation and ABE Classes
Join Pathway Forward and the Free Library of Philadelphia's Languages and Learning Center for FREE GED. and Adult Basic Education classes on Saturdays and Sundays. Free Classes on Saturdays 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.…
Pathway Forward: GED Preparation and ABE Classes
Join Pathway Forward and the Free Library of Philadelphia's Languages and Learning Center for FREE GED. and Adult Basic Education classes on Saturdays and Sundays. Free Classes on Saturdays 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.…
Japanese Conversation Club
Join us in the Heim Center Rooms 131-132 to enjoy a casual environment where you can talk about all things Japan! All levels of Japanese and English speakers are welcome. Registration not required. For more information contact…
Job Seeking Toolkit
Learn about Free Library resources to assist you in the job seeking process. We will discuss best practices, resume and cover letter writing, effective search strategies, and online resources. Advance registration is requested.…
Pathway Forward: GED Preparation and ABE Classes
Join Pathway Forward and the Free Library of Philadelphia's Languages and Learning Center for FREE GED. and Adult Basic Education classes on Saturdays and Sundays. Free Classes on Saturdays 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.…
Pathway Forward: GED Preparation and ABE Classes
Join Pathway Forward and the Free Library of Philadelphia's Languages and Learning Center for FREE GED. and Adult Basic Education classes on Saturdays and Sundays. Free Classes on Saturdays 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.…
Headshots at the BRIC!
Get a FREE headshot photo taken at the Business Resource and Innovation Center (BRIC)! Headshots are a new service for entrepreneurs, nonprofit professionals, job seekers, and more! Use your photo to enhance your professional…
Pop-Up Cooking Classes 2020
Stop by once a month for Keisha Prosser’s Pop-up Mobile Cooking classes. Bringing the fun back into the kitchen! Lessons include: knife skills, team building, cooking and baking principles, food safety, healthy choices, and how to…
Pathway Forward: GED Preparation and ABE Classes
Join Pathway Forward and the Free Library of Philadelphia's Languages and Learning Center for FREE GED. and Adult Basic Education classes on Saturdays and Sundays. Free Classes on Saturdays 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.…
Pathway Forward: GED Preparation and ABE Classes
Join Pathway Forward and the Free Library of Philadelphia's Languages and Learning Center for FREE GED. and Adult Basic Education classes on Saturdays and Sundays. Free Classes on Saturdays 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.…
Headshots at the BRIC!
Get a FREE headshot photo taken at the Business Resource and Innovation Center (BRIC)! Headshots are a new service for entrepreneurs, nonprofit professionals, job seekers, and more! Use your photo to enhance your professional…
Family Food and Wellness
Check out these Free Library resources for more on how you and your family can enjoy food and wellness year-round. Can’t find the title at your local library? Ask your librarian to put the item on hold and have it sent to a Free Library…
New York Times—2019's Best Books
The editors of The Times Book Review choose the best fiction and nonfiction titles this year. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/22/books/review/best-books.html
2020 PEN/Hemingway Longlist for Debut Novel
Looking for a new favorite author? Check out the 2020 PEN/Hemingway Longlist for Debut Novel. The prize is awarded to a debut novel of exceptional literary merit by an American author. More at…
Kwanzaa
Check out these books and dvds about Kwanzaa, the week-long annual celebration to honor African heritage and culture, culminating in gift-giving and a feast.
2019: The Favorites
Fiction librarian Dena from Philbrick Hall has read over 330 books in 2019. Like last year, she continues to escape the anxiety of the real world with fantastic escapism and romance. Here are the best 30 books published in 2019 that she…
2019 Goodreads Award Winners
Check out this year's winners of the Goodreads Choice Awards, the only major book awards decided by readers.
LibraryReads 2019 Voter Favorites
The votes have been tallied and the list is here: The LibraryReads 2019 Voter Favorites! http://libraryreads.org
Friends Select: Drawing and Painting 1
List of items to pull for class visit. In addition to books: research files on Julian Abele and Parkway Central Library Architecture.
Friends Select: Advanced Drawing and Painting
List of items to pull for class visit. In addition to books: research files on Julian Abele and Parkway Central Library Architecture
Roman Holiday- Backstory Series
Books used for a display during the Roman Holiday movie showing and lecture by Ed Voves, LSI EPR Department
Intaglio class visit
Moore college of Art class. Examples of books and portfolios that contain prints made using various intaglio processes: etching, engraving, nature printing.
Screenprinting class visit
Books and portfolios of prints illustrated with screenprinting processes and other associated printmaking processes (stencils/pochoir). See also artist research files: James Dupree, Corita Kent, Sam Maitin, Robert Indiana
Discovering Hidden Print Collections: Fleisher Art Memorial tour
Materials selected by artist and educator Bill Brookover for his October 24, 2019 tour. Ask librarian for research files on Anni and Josef Albers
Books about Creativity
Books on the science of creativity, harnessing creativity, and the uses of creativity in business and everyday life.
Get Creative
Got a bad case of writer's block? Don't seem to know where to start? Get your creative juices flowing by thinking outside of the box and stepping out of your comfort zone. Putting the pen to paper at all, even if it's not writing what…
Publishing Resources
You've written, you've edited, you've poured your heart into creating something. Now it's time to put it out there so other people can experience it. But how do you do that? These books provide expertise on agents, finding publishers,…
WealthEngine
WealthEngine is a research and screening tool which helps nonprofit organizations find individual prospects.
U.S. History In Context
Covers themes, events, individuals and periods in U.S. history from pre-colonial times to the present. The material also includes access to the citations for over 180 additional history journals from the Institute for Scientific…
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.
TrueFlix *
Student Resources In Context
"Thousands of curriculum-targeted primary documents, biographies, topical essays, background information, critical analyses, full-text coverage of 800 magazines, over 10,000 photographs and illustrations, and more than 8 hours of audio…
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
SimplyAnalytics is mapping, analytics, and data visualization application that makes it easy to create interactive maps, charts, and reports using powerful demographic, business, and marketing data.
Garth Greenwell | Cleanness
In conversation with Carmen Maria Machado, most recently author of In the Dream House “A subtle observer of human interactions” with “an inborn ability to cast a spell” ( New York Times ), Garth Greenwell is the author of What Belongs…
Andrew Bacevich | The Age of Illusions: How America Squandered Its Cold War Victory
Praised for their “clarity of expression . . . devastating directness” and “coruscating wit” ( Washington Post ), Andrew Bacevich’s bestselling books include The Limits of Power , America’s War for the Greater Middle East , and …
Liz Moore | Long Bright River
In conversation with Mike Newall, metro columnist at the Philadelphia Inquirer “Incisive, insightful, and compassionate” ( Boston Globe ), Liz Moore is the author of the acclaimed novels Heft and The Unseen World . She is the recipient…
Elaine Sciolino | The Seine: The River That Made Paris
A former Paris bureau chief and contributing writer for the New York Times , Elaine Sciolino is acclaimed for her “deliciously detailed and smart” ( Vogue ) chronicles of French culture and history. Her books include the bestsellers The…
Salman Rushdie | Quichotte
In conversation with novelist and musician Wesley Stace “One of the major literary voices of our time” ( San Francisco Chronicle ), Salman Rushdie is the author of more than a dozen novels, including The Satanic Verses , The Golden…
William D. Cohan | Four Friends: Promising Lives Cut Short
William D. Cohan is the bestselling author of The Last Tycoons , an inside history of Lazard Frères & Co., one of the country’s most venerable investment banks. A former longtime Wall Street mergers and acquisitions banker, the topics…
André Aciman | Find Me
In conversation with writer and film critic Gary Kramer André Aciman is the author of the nationwide bestseller Call Me by Your Name , a novel that chronicles the bittersweet love story of a teenage boy and the young academic staying at…
Ronan Farrow | Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators
In conversation with Tamala Edwards, anchor, 6ABC Action News morning edition New Yorker writer Ronan Farrow has won the Pulitzer Prize for public service, a National Magazine Award, and a George Polk Award for his “indefatigable and…
Deirdre Bair | Parisian Lives: Samuel Beckett, Simone de Beauvoir, and Me
Deirdre Bair won the National Book Award for her “blockbuster biography” of Samuel Beckett, “the best introduction to an enigmatic giant of 20th-century literature” ( Christian Science Monitor ). Her other acclaimed biographies include…
Jeanine Basinger | The Movie Musical!
In conversation with Carrie Rickey, former film critic for the Inquirer Mentor to some of contemporary cinema’s top directors (Joss Whedon and Michael Bay) and founder of the department of film studies at Wesleyan University, Jeanine…
Jon Dorenbos | Life Is Magic: My Inspiring Journey from Tragedy to Self-Discovery
In conversation with Larry Platt, co-founder/co-executive director of The Philadelphia Citizen and former editor of the Philadelphia Daily News and Philadelphia Magazine and co-author of Life is Magic Philadelphia Eagles long-snapper…
Susan Orlean | The Library Book
A staff writer for the New Yorker since 1992, Susan Orlean won wide acclaim for the 1998 New York Times bestseller The Orchid Thief , the story of a renegade Florida swamp plant poacher that was adapted into an Academy Award–winning…
Saeed Jones | How We Fight for Our Lives with Clifford Thompson | What It Is: Race, Family, and One Thinking Black Man’s Blues
Saeed Jones is the author of the “hard and glaring and brilliant” ( NPR Book Review ) poetry collection Prelude to Bruise , winner of the 2015 Stonewall Book Award/Barbara Gittings Literature Award. He is also the co-host of BuzzFeed’s…
Carmen Maria Machado | In the Dream House
In conversation with Emma Eisenberg, author of the forthcoming book The Third Rainbow Girl: The Long Life of a Double Murder in Appalachia Carmen Maria Machado’s bestselling debut short story collection, Her Body and Other Parties , was…
Erica Armstrong Dunbar | She Came to Slay: The Life and Times of Harriet Tubman
In conversation with Lorene Cary , author of Black Ice , The Price of a Child , Ladysitting and the forthcoming Arden Theatre production of My General Tubman Erica Armstrong Dunbar is the author of the National Book Award finalist Never…
Paul Hendrickson | Plagued by Fire: The Dreams and Furies of Frank Lloyd Wright
Paul Hendrickson’s books include Hemingway’s Boat: Everything He Loved in Life, and Lost, 1934–1961 , a National Book Critics Circle Award finalist; Sons of Mississippi , winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award; and The Living…
Sally Field | In Pieces
In conversation with Marty Moss-Coane, host of WHYY's Radio Times The winner of two Academy Awards and three Primetime Emmy Awards, screen icon Sally Field is acclaimed for roles including a flying nun, a Depression-era Texas widow, a…
Gail Collins | No Stopping Us Now: A History of Older Women in America
A columnist for the New York Times and a member of its editorial board since 1995, Gail Collins was the Gray Lady’s editorial page editor from 2001 to 2007, the first woman to hold that position. Her books include America’s Women: 400…
Sean Brock | South: Essential Recipes and New Explorations
In conversation with author events editor and producer Jason Freeman Praised as “an absolutely transformative figure” by the late Anthony Bourdain, Sean Brock is the founding chef of the Husk restaurant group, which has four locations…
Joey Baldino and Adam Erace | Dinner at the Club: 100 Years of Stories and Recipes from South Philly's Palizzi Social Club
In conversation with Michael Klein, editor/producer of inquirer.com/food and @phillyinsider Originally a meeting place for South Philly’s Abruzzi-American community, the members-only Palizzi Social Club is now one of America’s hottest…
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 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.
Year Up
"Year Up is a one-year, intensive training program that provides urban young adults 18-24, with a unique combination of technical and professional skills, college credits, an educational stipend and corporate apprenticeship."
African American History
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,…
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 Lives Matter
When stories of gun violence and tragedy seem like a daily occurrence, it can be hard to remember that our city was built on the values of Brotherly Love. While some may argue that all lives matter, it does not feel like we are applying…
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…
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…
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 2018 Winter Olympics, being held in PyeongChang, South Korea and known as the XXIII Olympic Winter Games, are a major international multi-sport event. The Games will run from February 9 to 25, featuring close to 3,000 athletes…
U.S. Elections and Politics
The United States midterm general election will be held on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. In Pennsylvania, the ballot includes candidates for Governor, Lt. Governor, U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, the Pennsylvania State Senate,…