Children's Literature Research Collection
The Children's Literature Research Collection will be closed starting November 4th, 2024, for the installation of a new HVAC system.
This closure will interrupt the usual activities of the Rare Book Department, the Children's Literature Research Collection, and the Theatre Collection, requiring a pause in our regular tours and research appointments. Response time in providing remote research assistance may be delayed, as many of our collections will be inaccessible during renovations. Nevertheless, we encourage you to contact us using the email address clrc@freelibrary.org and we will do our best to help!
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday | 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday | 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Thursday | 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Friday | 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Saturday | Closed |
Upcoming Closures
- Tue., Dec. 24 : Closing at 1:00 PM in preparation for the Christmas holiday
- Wed., Dec. 25 : Closed Christmas Day
- Tue., Dec. 31 : Closing at 1:00 PM in preparation for the New Year holiday
- Wed., Jan. 1 : Closed New Year's Day
Upcoming Events
Rare Books Roadshow
While construction continues on Parkway Central Library's third floor, join staff from the Rare Book Department , Theatre Collection , and Children's Literature Research Collection for a…
Rare Books Roadshow
While construction continues on Parkway Central Library's third floor, join staff from the Rare Book Department , Theatre Collection , and Children's Literature Research Collection for a…
Rare Books Roadshow
While construction continues on Parkway Central Library's third floor, join staff from the Rare Book Department , Theatre Collection , and Children's Literature Research Collection for a…
Rare Books Roadshow
While construction continues on Parkway Central Library's third floor, join staff from the Rare Book Department , Theatre Collection , and Children's Literature Research Collection for a…
ABOUT THE CHILDREN'S LITERATURE RESEARCH COLLECTION
The Free Library of Philadelphia’s Children’s Literature Research Collection (CLRC) is one of the premier centers for the study of children’s literature in the United States. The Collection houses over 85,000 works of children’s literature and an archive of original artwork, manuscripts, and ephemera. The Children’s Literature Research Collection promotes the history, study, and development of children’s literature. CLRC engages the public about the importance of children’s literature in history and culture; expands the knowledge base of library patrons through research support; and fosters new ideas through displays and exhibitions.
PLANNING YOUR RESEARCH VISIT
Materials in the Children's Literature Research Collection are free to access, however an appointment is required. Please note: materials in this Collection are non-circulating.
To learn more about booking an appoitment, follow this link:
Due to ongoing server security issues, some international emails may not reach us. We apologize for the inconvenience. If you have an international email address, utilize the “Ask a Librarian” feature on our website. Please note these responses may be delayed.
PLANNING YOUR GROUP VISIT
We welcome visits from schools, universities, and community organizations. We offer specialized appointments based upon the strengths of our collections. Instructors and group leaders are invited to schedule an appointment prior to the class visit in order to select items for their group to explore.
To learn more about booking an appointment, follow this link:
Due to ongoing server security issues, some international emails may not reach us. We apologize for the inconvenience. If you have an international email address, utilize the “Ask a Librarian” feature on our website. Please note these responses may be delayed.
CHILDREN'S LITERATURE RESEARCH COLLECTION - SUBCOLLECTIONS
The Children's Literature Research Collection is divided into several areas of interest. To Learn more about our holdings, visit the links below:
- American Sunday School Union Collection
- Arthur Rackham Collection
- Beatrix Potter Collection
- Children's Books, Historical and Modern, Collection
- Children’s Literature Research Collection Archives
- Children's Series Collection
- Folklore Collection
- Frederick R. Gardner Collection of Robert Lawson
- Historical Bibliography Collection
- Kate Greenaway Collection
- Kathrine H. McAlarney Collection of Illustrated Children’s Books
- Lloyd Alexander Collection
- Munro Leaf Collection
- Palmer Cox Collection
- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Collection
- Thornton Oakley Collection of Howard Pyle and His Students (link coming soon)
- Toy and Moveable Book Collection
To view a list of finding aids created for our collection, visit the following link:
- Finding Aids
- Please note that not all of our archival holdings have published finding aids at this time. For questions concerning our archives, please contact CLRC@FreeLibrary.org.
RESEARCH SUPPORT
Your research needs may take you beyond our collection’s holdings. We suggest visiting the following links depending on your area of interest or study:
AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR SUPPORT
Are you creating a book for children? If so, the Booklists section above features lists of titles from the Free Library's circulating collection that authors and illustrators may find useful. The following templates can help with layout and formatting of a book. Each is sized to print on a 8.5x11 sheet of paper.
- 32-Page Picture Book Thumbnail Template (Landscape, 4:5 Ratio)
- 32-Page Picture Book Thumbnail Template (Portrait, 5:4 Ratio)
- 32-Page Picture Book Thumbnail Template (Square, 5:5 Ratio)
SUPPORT THE CHILDREN'S LITERATURE RESEARCH COLLECTION
Please consider supporting the Children's Literature Research Collection. We depend on financial support to add new acquisitions to the collection, mount exhibitions, and care for the collection.