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Are You an N.K. Jemisin Fan Yet?
In my version of a perfect world, there are two kinds of fiction readers: Those who have already read (and loved) multi-award-winning author N.K Jemisin 's work and those who will. Soon. If you find yourself in neither category (!),…
Celebrate All Things Science at Your Neighborhood Library During the Philadelphia Science Festival!
Philadelphia’s Science Festival is back for a week of all things science. The week-long festival is hosted by the Franklin Institute and offers hundreds of free and low-cost programs across the city for all ages. The Free Library…
Summer 2019 Author Events Preview!
As the mercury rises this summer in Philly, get hot on the trail of... A re-opened cold case with one of America’s most dogged investigative journalists . Explore your epicurean side with the queen of Indian cooking ’s guide…
The 2019 Pulitzer Prize Winners Are...
The winners of the 2019 Pulitzer Prizes were announced at Columbia University in New York City on Monday, April 15. The Pulitzers recognize achievements in newspaper, magazine and online journalism, literature, and musical composition,…
Join the Free Library for a Storytime in Reading Terminal Market!
What’s better than a fun Free Library storytime with your little one? How about a fun Free Library storytime complete with some of Philly’s most iconic eats just steps away? That’s right! On the first Wednesday morning…
Rah! Rah! Sis Boom Bah!: Let's Hear It for Sports Comics and Manga!
If you had told me a few years ago that I would be fully obsessed with either ice hockey or fencing by way of comics I would have laughed SO HARD. I’m barely into watching baseball or football – and those have snacks readily…
Hugo Awards Finalists Announced for 2019
Dublin 2019: An Irish Worldcon announced the finalists for the 2019 Hugo Awards on April 2. The awards are the most prestigious in the science fiction genre, honoring literature and media as well as fan activities. Named for Amazing…
The Mystery of Missing Persons
Many things go missing – overdue books, keys, socks in the dryer – but none of those can compare with the gravity of when a person simply disappears. Approximately 90,000 people are missing at this very moment in the United…
Picture Book Highlights | Owls Are Good At Keeping Secrets
We’re back for another edition of Picture Book Highlights – a series where we put the spotlight on a book that has been ordered for all neighborhood libraries . Earlier this year we did a series of blog posts on concept…
Poetry Reading Circle: Celebremos Global Peace!
A Voice for Peace, Concord, and Harmony: XIII International Poetry Festival in Philadelphia will congregate poets from Latin America, Spain, and the United States in an evening of verse and music on May 1. Each poet will read one piece,…
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Go Digital! Community Access to Subscription Databases
Tamoul Quakhaan is a Library Supervisor 1 / Training and Development Assistant in the Human Resources Department and a participant in Cohort 1 of the Skills for Community-Centered Libraries Trainings. After participating in the…
New Digital Magazines: Glossies from Africa to Latin America
Dive into film, international fashion, current events, and more with the newest additions to our digital magazines subscriptions through RBdigital . New World Language Magazines Read at your leisure in Spanish, Chinese, and French:…
#NationalLibraryWeek: It’s Bookmobile Day!
by Nick Bunch Ding, ding!! HONK! Screeeeeech! That’s the sound of the Free Library Book Bike rolling into a community event near you! Warm weather is on its way and we can’t wait to ride out of our local libraries and hit…
Preparing for Summer with the Summer Camp Challenge!
Dreaming of summer? We know your children and students are, too. But did you know that over the summer, students can lose three months of reading skills gained in school? This loss can make it harder to become strong readers by 4th…
#NationalLibraryWeek: Happy National Library Workers Day!
Today as part of National Library Week , we’re joining the American Library Association (ALA) in celebrating National Library Workers Day and the real heroes behind who we are and what we do: our librarians and staff! Today is a…
Game of Thrones Returns
Eight years ago, HBO debuted a trailer for a new series called Game of Thrones . (My colleague’s 2011 blog post previewed the show and highlighted the books in our collection.) I was confused and intrigued all at once. Hand of the…
#NationalLibraryWeek: It’s Time to Celebrate Libraries!
It’s here, it’s here! It’s one of our favorite weeks of the year: National Library Week ! Founded in 1958, this is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation’s libraries and librarians, and the role they…
#MyFreeLibrary: What Is YOUR Free Library Story?
If you’ve spent time visiting any of the Free Library’s 54 neighborhood library locations or reading this blog , you know that we’ve got something for everyone. With over 25,000 events and programs offered each year…
21st Century Books for a 21st Century Library
It’s safe to say that Parkway Central Library is not your grandmother’s library. It’s equally safe to say that some special new books gracing the shelves of The Heim Center and BRIC are not your grandmother’s…
Look! Up in the Philly Skyline! It's a Bird! It's a Plane! It's... Shazam!?
The newest superhero to take flight on the silver screen calls Philadelphia his home and viewers will be able to spot the Art Museum, the William Penn statue, the LOVE sculpture, and various Philly-centric neighborhoods in scenes…
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…
First Friday Genealogy
Our genealogy roundtable is held the first Friday of each month from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. All are welcome regardless of experience from beginners to advanced. Bring your questions, brick walls, and successes and share with an…
Bibliophiles Reading Group
Join us as we discuss some poetry and plan for 2020. Branch staff can assist you to obtain copies of the books, from the Free Library system. Are you interested in leading the discussion? Do you have questions? Contact Ms.…
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 with the Mobile Cooking Teachers
Stop by once a month for Ree & Kei’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…
Book Discussion Group
Please join our book discussion group for Adults at the Philadelphia City Institute. We meet on the last Thursday of every month, at 2:00 p.m. in the meeting room. For our current title and a copy of the book, please inquire…
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…
The Art of Suggestion: American Propaganda in Times of War and Peace. Part of the Hands-on History Series at The Free Library Parkway, Central
The Art of Suggestion: American Propaganda in Times of War and Peace Published as a method to inform the public, propaganda can be used as a tool—either intentionally or unintentionally—to influence public opinion,…
Bibliophiles Reading Group
Join us as we discuss Becoming, by Michelle Obama. This evening's discussion led by Carolyn Coker. Branch staff can assist you to obtain copies of the books, from the Free Library system. Are you interested in leading the…
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 with the Mobile Cooking Teachers
Stop by once a month for Ree & Kei’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…
First Friday Genealogy
Our genealogy roundtable is held the first Friday of each month from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. All are welcome regardless of experience from beginners to advanced. Bring your questions, brick walls, and successes and share with an…
Book Discussion Group
Please join our book discussion group for Adults at the Philadelphia City Institute. We meet on the last Thursday of every month, at 2:00 p.m. in the meeting room. For our current title and a copy of the book, please inquire…
Life at Sea: A Rare Book Voyage
Life at Sea: A Rare Book Voyage Join us for an afternoon voyage into the Free Library of Philadelphia’s rare book collections. We’ll page through books about pirates printed in the 1600s and 1700s, look at children’s…
Open Mic Night at the Library
Join us for an evening of music, poetry and spoken word at the Town's Café. Program runs from 5:30 - 8:00 p.m. and is for ages 21 and up.
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 with the Mobile Cooking Teachers
Stop by once a month for Ree & Kei’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…
First Friday Genealogy
Our genealogy roundtable is held the first Friday of each month from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. All are welcome regardless of experience from beginners to advanced. Bring your questions, brick walls, and successes and share with an…
Bibliophiles Reading Group
Join us as we discuss Old in Art School: A Memoir fo Starting Over, by Nell Painter. Branch staff can assist you to obtain copies of the books, from the Free Library system. Are you interested in leading the discussion?…
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…
2019 International Dublin Literary Award Shortlist
Ten novels have been shortlisted for the 2019 International DUBLIN Literary Award, proudly sponsored by Dublin City Council and managed by Dublin City Libraries. The list includes two novels by Irish authors, and novels from France,…
2019 Edgar® Award Nominees
Each spring, Mystery Writers of America present the Edgar® Awards, widely acknowledged to be the most prestigious awards in the genre. Here are the 2019 nominees in Adult Fiction and Non-Fiction categories, including Best Novel, Best…
The Most Challenged Books of 2018
The American Library Association (ALA) Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 347 challenges to library, school, and university materials and services in 2018. Of the 483 books challenged or banned in 2018, the Top 11 Most Challenged…
Shazam!
When Billy Batson speaks the magic word "SHAZAM" (an acronym of six "immortal elders": Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles, and Mercury), he transforms into the costumed adult with the powers of superhuman strength, speed, and…
Agnès Varda
Agnès Varda was a Belgian-born French film director, photographer, and installation artist, whose work helped pioneer the development of the widely influential French New Wave film movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Her films focused on…
Hellboy
Who's the lovable, big, red guy with a short-temper, a tail, (filed-down) horns, and the Right Hand of Doom? It's Hellboy! Read all of his adventures fighting nazis, mad scientists ,other-worldly monsters, and the unexplained, from the…
Polish Bookshelf - Literature, Poetry, and Drama in English
These books by Polish authors were donated by the Polish Book Institute through their Polish Bookshelf initiative.
Polish Bookshelf - Adult Books in Polish
These books by Polish authors were donated by the Polish Book Institute through their Polish Bookshelf initiative.
Polish Bookshelf - Children's Books in Polish
These books by Polish authors were donated by the Polish Book Institute through their Polish Bookshelf initiative.
Polish Bookshelf - Culinary, History, Music and Philosophy Books in English
These books by Polish authors were donated by the Polish Book Institute through their Polish Bookshelf initiative.
Polish Bookshelf - Fiction in English
These books by Polish authors were donated by the Polish Book Institute through their Polish Bookshelf initiative.
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,…
Sanborn Maps Geo Edition (1867-1970)
(1867-1970) provides digital access to thousands of large-scale maps of American towns and cities, searchable by address and GPS coordinates.
Janny Scott | The Beneficiary: Fortune, Misfortune, and the Story of My Father
In conversation with Bruce Weber, former obituary writer for the New York Times and author of the books As They See 'Em: A Fan's Travels in the Land of Umpires and Life is A Wheel: Memoirs of a Bike-Riding Obituarist . Janny Scott, a…
Emily Bazelon | Charged: The New Movement to Transform American Prosecution and End Mass Incarceration
In conversation with State Representative Christopher M. Raab Emily Bazelon is the author of Sticks and Stones , “a humane and closely reported exploration” ( Wall Street Journal ) of school bullying and the empathetic steps students,…
Bill McKibben | Falter: Has the Human Game Begun to Play Itself Out?
“The world’s best green journalist” ( Time ), Bill McKibben gave one of the earliest cautions about global warming with his 1989 book The End of Nature . His many other bestselling books about the environment include Deep Economy ,…
Mary Norris | Greek to Me: Adventures of the Comma Queen
“A rollicking adventure into the origins of the apostrophe, the proliferation of profanity in American culture, and everything in between” ( San Francisco Chronicle ), Mary Norris’s bestselling Between You and Me: Confessions of a Comma…
Patricia Marx and Roz Chast | Why Don't You Write My Eulogy Now So I Can Correct It?: A Mother's Suggestions
A 30-year contributor to The New Yorker , Patricia Marx is the author of several books including Starting From Happy and Him Her Him Again the End of Him , both of which were Thurber Prize finalists. A former writer for Saturday Night…
Kwame Onwuachi | Notes from a Young Black Chef: A Memoir
In conversation with Chef Elijah Milligan A former Top Chef star, the executive chef at Washington D.C.’s popular Kith and Kin, and a Forbes and Zagat’s 30 Under 30 honoree, Kwame Onwuachi is one of America’s most acclaimed young…
Richard Blanco | How to Love a Country: Poems
Richard Blanco made history four times at Barack Obama’s second presidential inauguration: He was the first immigrant, the first Latino, the youngest person, and the first openly gay person to be the U.S. inaugural poet. Exploring…
Robert A. Caro | Working: Researching, Interviewing, Writing
In conversation with Dick Polman , "Writer in Residence" at the University of Pennsylvania, national political columnist at WHYY News and contributor to The Atlantic Standing at “the summit of American historical writing” ( Washington…
Dave Barry | Lessons from Lucy: The Simple Joys of an Old, Happy Dog
A 30-year writer at the Miami Herald whose column was syndicated in more than 500 newspapers, humorist Dave Barry won the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary in 1988. His more than 30 New York Times bestselling books include I’ll Mature When…
Michael Dobbs | The Unwanted: America, Auschwitz, and a Village Caught In Between
A longtime foreign correspondent for The Washington Post , Michael Dobbs reported on some of the most important events of our time. His many books include Down with Big Brother: The Fall of the Soviet Empire , Saboteurs: The Nazi Raid…
Valerie Jarrett | Finding My Voice: My Journey to the West Wing and the Path Forward
In conversation with Tamala Edwards, anchor, 6ABC Action News morning edition “The ultimate Obama insider” ( New York Times ), Valerie Jarrett was the longest serving advisor in the 44th President’s administration. Born in Iran and…
Barry Lopez | Horizon
Barry Lopez won the National Book Award for Arctic Dreams , a “rich, abundant, vigorously composed” ( Boston Globe ) meditation on his travels in the barren but beautiful far North. His other work includes Of Wolves and Men , Crow and…
Cecile Richards | Make Trouble: Stand Up, Speak Out, and Find the Courage to Lead—My Life Story
In conversation with Tamala Edwards , anchor, 6ABC Action News morning edition A “heroine of the resistance” ( Vogue ), Cecile Richards was the president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund…
Nathan Englander | Kaddish.com with Thomas Mallon | Landfall
Nathan Englander is the author of the story collections For the Relief of Unbearable Urges and What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank , a Pulitzer Prize finalist and winner of the Frank O’Connor International Short Story…
Albert Woodfox | Solitary: Unbroken by Four Decades in Solitary Confinement. My Story of Transformation and Hope
In conversation with award-winning journalist Tracey Matisak. Falsely accused and convicted of a 1972 robbery in which a white guard was killed, Albert Woodfox served more than four decades in solitary confinement in Louisiana’s…
Adam Rutherford | Humanimal: How Homo sapiens Became Nature’s Most Paradoxical Creature A New Evolutionary History
“A heady amalgam of science, history, a little bit of anthropology and plenty of nuanced, captivating storytelling” ( The New York Times Book Review ), Adam Rutherford’s A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived delves into the…
Carolyn Forché | What You Have Heard Is True: A Memoir of Witness and Resistance
In conversation with Beth Kephart, the award-winning author of twenty-four books, including Going Over , Handling the Truth: On the Writing of Memoir , and Flow: The Life and Times of Philadelphia’s Schuylkill River . “An unflinching…
Lidia Bastianich | My American Dream: A Life of Love, Family, and Food
Renowned chef and restaurateur Lidia Bastianich is the owner and co-owner of celebrated Italian restaurants in Manhattan, Pittsburgh, and Kansas City. The author of a baker’s dozen cookbooks, a judge on Masterchef Jr. Italy , and a…
Frans de Waal | Mama's Last Hug: Animal Emotions and What They Tell Us about Ourselves
Esteemed primatologist Frans de Waal is the author of The Bonobo and the Atheist , a “tour de force” ( Nature ) exploration of the biological roots of human morality found in primate social emotions, including empathy, reciprocity, and…
Darius James | Negrophobia: An Urban Parable
In conversation with Gene Seymour, contributor to The Nation and former film critic and jazz columnist for Newsday . He has written for Bookforum , CNN.com, and The Washington Post . Author and spoken-word artist Darius James’s 1992…
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,…