The dog days of summer may be upon us, but shake off that I’ll-just-lie-on-the-couch attitude and head out to your neighborhood library to find a good book ... then you can lie on the couch to read it! We regret to say that we don’t have any new titles about dogs on our August list, but we do have a good selection of titles… continue reading New Titles Coming to the Free Library in August!
By written by Paul A. July 31, 2018 2
We're into round 3 of our Summer Madness blockbuster reads online bracket game! With only two weeks left, the Great Eight has arrived with devils and dolls, fly girls and tigers, hitchikers and immigrants, romantic rendezvouses both new and old—all ready to book battle! Let's break down the matchups even further with some quick… continue reading The Great Eight Takes Shape a.k.a. Round 3 of Summer Madness is Under Way!
By written by Administrator July 27, 2018
The summer is heating up, and as we all try our best to deal with the rising temperatures, don’t forget that the Free Library of Philadelphia is a great place to cool off! From books and magazines to free wireless internet and so much more, your neighborhood library is a welcome respite this time of year! (Don’t forget, our summer… continue reading Celebrate Those Dog Days of Summer with the Free Library!
By written by Kate C. July 27, 2018 2
The Map Collection , a Special Collection at the Parkway Central Library , houses numerous resources for all types of research. The Map Collection has pictorial maps to inspire artists and art lovers, topographic and geologic maps for the earth scientists, and historical maps for those interested in the past. However,… continue reading Navigate Your Research with Resources from the Map Collection
By written by Megan M. July 26, 2018
The 2018 Will Eisner Comic Book Industry Awards took place on July 20 in San Diego at the yearly Comic-Con. The awards, now in their 30th year, honor creative achievement in comic books from around the world. Basically, they are the comics industry's equivalent of the Oscar Awards. The awards are named in honor of pioneering writer and… continue reading This Year's Eisner Award-Winning Comic Book Titles and Creators Are...
By written by Peter SM July 25, 2018
In our ongoing series of blog posts highlighting our awesome staff throughout the Free Library of Philadelphia, today we take some time to speak with Omelio Alexander - Digital Resource Specialist... What is your role with the Free Library of Philadelphia? I am a Digital Resource Specialist, responsible for helping people navigate public… continue reading Meet Your Library Staff: Omelio Alexander - Digital Resource Specialist
By written by Administrator July 23, 2018
We've gone a bit crazy from the heat over here at the Free Library. You might even say, we've got... SUMMER MADNESS ! This online bracket-style tournament matches blockbuster, best-selling books from a variety of genres in one-on-one games, until much like The Highlander , there can be only one... winner, that is! And from taking a look… continue reading We're Turning Up the Heat with... Summer Madness!
By written by Administrator July 20, 2018
Let’s set the stage: It’s the mid-1920s. Paris, maybe. There’s some highbrow literary chit chat, a bit of the usual expat gossip, and plenty (and I mean plenty) of champagne. And lighting up the whole shindig are some fireworks—verbal, of course—courtesy of the honorees: Ernest Hemingway and Zelda Fitzgerald .… continue reading The Literary Birthday Party That Wasn’t
By written by Alix G. July 20, 2018 1
The Free Library of Philadelphia is continuing our efforts to make the Summer of Wonder program as available and accessible as possible. In addition to offering Summer of Wonder in all 54 library locations throughout the city and online, we also are bringing the program out to daycares, recreation centers, summer camps, pools, play streets, and… continue reading Taking Summer of Wonder Out of the Library
By written by Elizabeth K. July 19, 2018 1
Unless you've turned off all avenues of media and have been hiding under a proverbial rock (and really, no judgement here!), you may have noticed Russia has been in the news a bit recently... Instead of being overwhelmed by the information overload and fake news , now might be a great time to catch up on the country's rich history. From… continue reading Conspiracy? Intrigue? Collusion? Read Some Russian History and Fantasy!
By written by Rachel F. July 18, 2018 3
In these days of big bucks baseball, with the top players making over $30 million a year and the top clubs valued in the billions, it’s hard to imagine a time when America’s Pastime was an amateur endeavor and players not only played for nothing, they often made their own bats and balls . Things began to change after the Civil… continue reading A History Minute | The Fortunes of Philadelphia - Let's Play Ball!
By written by Sally F. July 17, 2018 1
Board books are an all-time favorite—ideal for babies and toddlers, just right for little hands (and mouths)—the perfect treat to share with little ones. Here are three brand new board books that you and the children in your life will not want to miss! Who?: A Celebration of Babies written by Robie H. Harris ; illustrated by… continue reading New Board Books Round-Up (and Booklist!)
By written by Monica C. July 16, 2018 2
Today, July 13, is the second of two Friday the 13ths occurring in 2018. The first one arrived exactly 13 weeks earlier on April 13! I penned a post full of screamingly scary streaming selections back in April and now I've returned to shock and surprise you with 13 more! Scope out these 13 fright flicks with accompanying 13-word… continue reading 13 MORE Screamingly Scary Movies to Stream This Friday the 13th!
By written by Peter SM July 13, 2018
Are you ready for the new school year? Do you have a child entering 1st, 2nd, or 3rd grade in the Fall? Get a back-to-school boost with Camp Play and Learn! At Camp Play and Learn, children will stretch their minds and imaginations as they explore this year’s theme of underwater ecosystems. On these last hot days of summer, campers… continue reading Camp Play and Learn
By written by Elizabeth K. July 12, 2018
Can you BEE-lieve it? The Richmond Library is now the proud owner of an observatory honey bee hive ! It’s true that the Free Library is home to many unique and wonderful programs and initiatives – many of which you’d probably not expect to find within the walls of your neighborhood library – but perhaps none is more… continue reading The Buzz at Richmond Library
By written by Amy T. July 11, 2018 3
Have you ever read a book and thought that the universe the author created felt real? Or really wished that it was? I’m looking at you, Hogwarts… Well, what if I told you that some of our favorite series have folk and fairy tale collections that are told "in-universe", i.e. as if these worlds were real? Well,… continue reading In-Universe Folk and Fairy Tales
By written by Rachel F. July 10, 2018 1
Pressure to conform can be difficult to resist. It is hard to defy expectations, to be true to oneself, when one is facing peer pressure. It takes courage (and sometimes a friend) to find comfort in being who we are, even when everyone says that is not the way to be. Which bring us to How to Be a Lion by author/illustrator Ed Vere —our… continue reading Picture Book Highlights | How to Be a Lion
By written by Monica C. July 9, 2018
Saturday, July 7, 2018, 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Johann Strauss, Jr. (1825–1899). The Gypsy Baron, Overture 1885) Richard Strauss (1864–1949). Horn Concerto No. 1 (1883) Edward MacDowell (1860–1908). Piano Concerto No. 2 (1885) A few days after Independence Day, we continue looking at the American composer on Discoveries… continue reading Discoveries from the Fleisher Collection: MacDowell, Strausses, and 1885
By written by Fleisher Collection July 6, 2018
I’m a transplant from The West—the Great Plains to be more specific: A vast under-watered area covering parts of 10 states. Picture a lonely landscape of farms, ranches, and open skies dotted with small towns populated with stubbornly independent people shaped by a climate prone to extremes. Surprisingly, though, when I first… continue reading QUEST : Our City, Our Times, and a Family Bound by Love
By written by David N. July 6, 2018
“We are the leaders we have been waiting for.” Grace Lee Boggs, Philosopher and Activist The Free Library of Philadelphia is full of leaders, and so are the neighborhoods in which we are located. To foster collaboration with community members and organizations, we are building staff capacity in two ways: In October, thanks to… continue reading The Leaders We Have Been Waiting For
By written by Community-Centered Libraries July 6, 2018
