Posts by Clare F. (28)
Blog Articles
“Earthrise,” taken by astronaut Bill Anders in 1968, was the first widely published image of our planet from outer space. It helped spark the environmental movement in the United… continue reading Could Every Day Be Earth Day?
By written by Clare F. April 22, 2020
...then why not check out these digital titles from the Free Library, specially curated for fans of this beloved English novel? On this day in 1816, Charlotte Brontë was born in Thornton,… continue reading If You Liked Jane Eyre...
By written by Clare F. April 21, 2020
As March draws to a close, we near the end of Women’s History Month. Here at the Free Library, we’ve celebrated this important observance in many ways: with the story of Mary Church… continue reading Stream a Film by a Woman to Celebrate Women's History Month
By written by Clare F. March 27, 2020
"Women of the world, unite. You have nothing to lose but your chains!" You’ve probably heard a slightly different version of this quote (or, to be fair, misquote ) from Karl… continue reading Women of the World, Unite!
By written by Clare F. March 6, 2020
Please note: All Census Champion Trainings from now until March 30 have been cancelled. Do you want to work toward a better future for our city? Are you a trusted member of your community,… continue reading 2020 Census: Get Involved at the Free Library!
By written by Clare F. February 20, 2020 1
The Free Library is thrilled to welcome librarians, authors, publishers, businesses, and educators to Philadelphia this weekend for the American Library Association’s Midwinter Meeting !… continue reading Welcome to Philadelphia, ALA Midwinter!
By written by Clare F. January 24, 2020
Yes, you heard that right: ice cream in December—and vegan ice cream, at that! Though you may be familiar with National Ice Cream Day, which is celebrated annually on the third Sunday in… continue reading You Scream, I Scream . . . for Vegan Ice Cream!
By written by Clare F. December 13, 2019 1
An early letter by Emily Dickinson. Two months ago, I spent an evening in a dimly lit room scrutinizing the handwriting of a long-dead person with a group of mostly strangers. Scraps of… continue reading The Remarkable Afterlife of Emily Dickinson
By written by Clare F. December 6, 2019
As another year draws to a close, another frenzied holiday season arrives—and what better way to say no to the madness than by saying yes to a compelling book? December is not just the month… continue reading December Is Read a New Book Month
By written by Clare F. November 29, 2019
Have you heard that Tommy Orange’s breathtaking novel There There is the 2020 One Book, One Philadelphia featured selection? If you don’t have a copy yet, don’t worry: the Free… continue reading #OneBookWednesday | Book Discussion Tips
By written by Clare F. November 20, 2019 1
No ... we don't mean it like that ! This Sunday, November 17, is national Take a Hike Day. It's time to pull on some comfortable shoes and explore a forest, a park, or your very own… continue reading Hey Philly, Take a Hike!
By written by Clare F. November 15, 2019
While reading There There — Tommy Orange ’s award-winning novel and the 2020 One Book, One Philadelphia featured selection—I was repeatedly struck by how many references Orange… continue reading #OneBookWednesday | Some History and Terms from There There
By written by Clare F. November 13, 2019
Call me Ishmael. It’s one of the most famous sentences in U.S. literature—and the opening statement of what is often called "the great American novel": Herman Melville… continue reading The Free Library Celebrates Herman Melville’s Bicentennial
By written by Clare F. November 4, 2019
As we reach the end of our celebration of Banned Books Week 2019 , I’ve been thinking about what kinds of books are typically banned in the United States these days, as well as what kinds… continue reading Banned Books Week | What Gets Censored?
By written by Clare F. September 27, 2019
In the United States, many banned books are favored by teachers and students for the same reasons others want to hide them from view. What an educator sees as a difficult and important… continue reading Beyond Banned Books | Exploring Threatened Themes Further
By written by Clare F. September 24, 2019
A figure in red slowly lifts her arms. She sweeps them out to either side of her body, continuing to lift them until they form a straight line with her shoulders. For a moment, the figure is… continue reading Dancing on the Rooftops: Trisha Brown Dance Company Comes to the Parkway Central Library
By written by Clare F. September 19, 2019 1
Thanks to the Free Library’s huge selection of digital media , most of our patrons know that their library cards gain them access to books, music, movies, and more that travel with… continue reading A Library Card Keeps You Movin’ and Groovin’
By written by Clare F. September 9, 2019
Fifty years ago today, Neil Armstrong , Buzz Aldrin , and Michael Collins first set off into space to explore the surface of the Moon. Their mission, Apollo 11 , was the culmination of decades of… continue reading Fly Me to the Moon: Apollo 11 at 50
By written by Clare F. July 16, 2019
Coming down from your Fourth of July celebrations, but not quite ready to put away your red, white, and blue clothes (or fireworks)? You’re in luck! July 14 is Bastille Day —the… continue reading Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité: Happy Bastille Day!
By written by Clare F. July 12, 2019
Happy birthday to the beloved children’s writer—and the voice in the ears of editors everywhere— E.B. White ! A regular essayist for the New Yorker for half a century, White is… continue reading Celebrate the Wonderful World and Characters of Children's Writer E.B. White
By written by Clare F. July 11, 2019