Philadelphia, PA 19103-1189
(215) 567-7710
FAX (215) 567-7850
Contact: Communications and Development
Back to School with the Free Library of Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA, September 2, 2020— As students across throughout the region return to learning in a challenging environment, the Free Library of Philadelphia has adapted its Back to School programming to fit the needs of students attending classes virtually and in-person.
Through virtual programs and activities, online homework help, reading challenges, and more, the Free Library aims to help students and families make this unconventional school year a success.
“The Free Library is committed to providing resources that can support students, teachers, and families as they adapt to new and different learning environments,” said Valerie Taylor-Samuel, Administrative Librarian for the Free Library.
The Library’s LEAP Out-of-School-Time Programming will be going virtual for the first half of the school year, sharing Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) activities, DIY videos, homework help, and more via social media. LEAP will also provide employment opportunities for more than 60 teens who will work virtually as Teen Leadership Assistants. A Fall Reading Challenge begins September 7, where students can log minutes they spend reading and the number of books read, and collect points and earn badges for participating in the online activities.
Family resources and literacy tips are available through Read by 4th, a citywide campaign bringing together a coalition of partners working towards a shared vision that all children will be reading on grade level by the time they enter the 4th grade. Students can also access a wealth of digital resources through the Free Library, including homework help online, research and study aids, practice tests, and more.
For educators, the Free Library will be offering virtual visits from a librarian to provide a story time and introduce students to the library’s digital offerings. A virtual visit can be requested on the Library’s School Partnerships page.
To find out more about these initiatives and more Back to School resources from the Free Library, visit our Back to School blog on freelibrary.org.
09/02/2020
Department of External Affairs, Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-1189
(215) 567-7710, FAX (215) 567-7850