Feeling unlucky? Next week, Chinatown’s own Philadelphia Suns plays us out for the final concert of the New Americans Spring Concert Series this season with an evening of traditional Chinese Lion Dance, which is thought to bring listeners luck and happiness. We hope you were able to make it to previous concerts in this series,… continue reading New Americans Spring Concert Final Voyage: Philadelphia Suns | Recapping TIMBALONA

By written by Perry G.    May 27, 2016   

• Events at the Library
• Music
• New Americans

Our literary Christmas is almost upon us: Philadelphia’s favorite bookish holiday— Bloomsday —arrives on Thursday, June 16, and we couldn’t be more excited! This annual event celebrates James Joyce’s masterpiece Ulysses with a day-long fête—reminiscent of Ulysses' hero Leopold Bloom’s day of… continue reading Philadelphia’s Literary Christmas—Bloomsday!

By written by Julie B.    May 27, 2016   

• Holidays
• History
• Rosenbach
• Bloomsday

You’re invited! Please join us for a South Philadelphia Library Open House and Block Party! The Free Library of Philadelphia welcomes the brand-new Community Health and Literacy Center , alongside our partners in the Center: The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia , the City of Philadelphia’s Health Center 2 , and the… continue reading You're Invited! South Philadelphia Library Open House and Block Party

By written by Jenn D.    May 26, 2016    2  

• Community Events
• Libraries in the News
• 21st Century Libraries

The Free Library’s Summer Reading Program begins Monday, June 13 ! Neighborhood libraries will offer programs and activities for all ages, as well as Bingo with a literacy twist for children, and raffles for teens and adults. And yes, the Wonder Kits (8 weeks of awesome activities) are back! From June 13 through August 5, every week there… continue reading Summer Reading 2016 – The Summer of Wonder!

By written by Ann P.    May 25, 2016    4  

• Childrens Programs
• Reading
• Teens
• Summer Reading
• Early Literacy
• Literacy
• Digital Literacy
• Online Learning

The Philadelphia Jazz Project and the Free Library of Philadelphia ’s season of concerts celebrating the Great Migration has one more show to go. This is your last chance to catch free live jazz at the library 'til next season. Percussionist and performance artist Kim Pedro headlines the final show, in an already supercharged set,… continue reading Mysterious Travelers 2 Closing Curtain: Kim Pedro Headlines | Recapping Victor North

By written by Perry G.    May 20, 2016   

• Events at the Library
• Music

When everyone in Philadelphia is reading the same book as part of the One Book, One Philadelphia program, how is that work chosen? A small committee of Free Library staff, educators, and One Book volunteers drafts a long-list of potential titles, bringing their own ideas to the table as well as considering suggestions from the community. The… continue reading #OneBookWednesday: The Selection Process

By written by Kalela W.    May 18, 2016    1  

• One Book, One Philadelphia

Cat lovers and bird lovers unite! While cats and birds have a contentious relationship in nature, images of them have been living harmoniously side-by-side in the Free Library of Philadelphia’s Print and Picture Collection . Fur and Feathers: A Cautious Pairing of Cats and Birds  is on view now in the Print and Picture… continue reading Fur and Feathers: A New Exhibition in the Print and Picture Collection Hallway

By written by Laura S.    May 16, 2016    2  

• Exhibitions
• Art
• Printmaking
• Print and Picture Collection
• Photography

By Alex Jones, Fair Food’s Value Chain Coordinator Fair Food is based in the heart of downtown Philadelphia, but we work to build markets for food producers all over central and eastern Pennsylvania and south and central New Jersey. We’ve been working with some of these farms and food artisans for the past 16 years; others are newer… continue reading Cook This Now: A Day of Cheesemaking with Valley Milkhouse

By written by Michele T.    May 13, 2016   

• Culinary Literacy
• Cooking

On Wednesday, May 18, stunning percussion collective TIMBALONA  showcases Afro-Caribbean folkloric music in the second installment of the New Americans Spring Concert Series , a soundtrack-in-triplet of three distinct voices in our city's music collection. We’d love it if you could make it to this or all concerts in this great… continue reading New Americans Concert Series Progresses | Next Installment: TIMBALONA | Replays of Arab Classical and Contemporary Music

By written by Perry G.    May 12, 2016   

• Music
• New Americans

If you’re a local service provider, ReferenceUSA’s database U.S. New Movers/Homeowners  is a great resource for your small business. Offering hundreds of thousands of new additions each week, ReferenceUSA’s research teams monitor public records to reveal where people are moving throughout the United States.  So, how… continue reading In the market for free sales leads? Check out the ReferenceUSA Database!

By written by CaitlinT    May 11, 2016    11  

• Databases
• Business Resource and Innovation Center
• Business

*** Update: For current information about this service, please contact the Science & Wellness Supervisor at paquetteb@freelibrary.org. *** Looking to discover all the hidden features of your new iPad, e-reader, smart phone, or tablet? Can’t figure out how to turn the darn thing on? Don’t fret: The Free Library of… continue reading E-Gadget Help Desk

By written by Harry F.    May 10, 2016    4  

• Tech
• Hot Spots
• Digital Literacy
• Online Learning

The new South Philadelphia Library is almost ready to open its doors to the public! We were thrilled to join the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia , the Philadelphia Department of Public Health , and the Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Department this morning to cut the ribbon on the brand new South Philadelphia Community Health and… continue reading The Free Library Cuts the Ribbon on the New South Philadelphia Community Health and Literacy Center

By written by Julie B.    May 9, 2016    1  

• 21st Century Libraries

Here's another seasonal treat from the blog of Leanne Brown , author of Good and Cheap: Eat Well on $4/Day . Wild ramps appear very briefly in early spring, making their way out of winter hibernation beneath the forest floor and stretching their delicate bright-green leaves out into the warm spring light. Enjoy this recipe now on… continue reading Recipe: Ramp Pesto

By written by Michele T.    May 5, 2016   

• Culinary Literacy
• Recipes

The  World Builders Writing Club  is a diverse group of aspiring authors who meet once a month and showcase some of their work on the Free Library blog. Please enjoy this first look at a new work-in-progress by one of our writers, and share your thoughts in the comments.   Stick-Figure Bobby by Antoine Coleman As… continue reading "Stick-Figure Bobby" - A World Builders Writing Submission

By written by Tamoul Q.    May 4, 2016    1  

• Writing
• World Builders Writing Club

What better way to kick off Children's Book Week than with a new Early Literacy calendar from Free Library? This month's calendar and links, compiled by Free Library of Philadelphia's children's librarians, is once again full of great suggestions that parents and caregivers can engage in with their children to help nurture and… continue reading May 2016 Early Literacy Calendar

By written by Peter SM    May 2, 2016   

• Pre K
• Early Literacy