This summer, the Free Library of Philadelphia is excited to celebrate The Summer of Lauren Castillo! Okay, technically, it’s The Summer of Wonder—our annual Summer Reading program for Pre-K, School-age Children, Teens, and Adults. To me, however, this is the Summer of Lauren Castillo©®™ because of the absolutely… continue reading The Summer of Lauren Castillo
By written by Chris B. June 8, 2016 3
The world is mourning the death of another larger-than-life pop culture icon, hero, and force of sheer nature: Muhammad Ali . The self-described, but no less true, "Greatest of All Time" may have been a worldwide phenomenon, but he also had special Philly-area ties: Ali became the heavyweight champion in 1964 by beating Philly boxer… continue reading Muhammad Ali's Philly Ties
By written by Peter SM June 8, 2016 1
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
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
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
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
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
*** 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
Last Thursday, the new South Philadelphia Library took a big step toward its opening, as an exciting piece of the puzzle was completed with the installation of the Maurice Sendak Chertoff Mural . Moving from its previous home at the Rosenbach , the mural will be a focal point at the newly built structure at 1700 South Broad Street, where… continue reading Sendak Mural Installed as South Philadelphia Library Opening Nears
By written by Kate C. April 27, 2016
In honor of his 452nd birthday on this past Saturday, April 23, 2016—the second night of Passover... The Hebrews had been prosperous in Egypt, growing and multiplying. But the new Pharaoh became scared and decided, “I'll manacle thy neck and feet together” ( The Tempes t ). After many years in bondage “burdened with… continue reading The Passover Story, as told by William Shakespeare
By written by Julie B. April 26, 2016
Prince . One word. One being. Thousands of songs. Millions of fans . A purple pop polymath. That guitar SOUND! And now, he's left this mortal coil (as if he could ever be contained by it in the first place). Try as they might, words fail at times like these. Listen to the music and watch the flickering images on the screen, they speak… continue reading Prince
By written by Peter SM April 22, 2016 1
The Philadelphia Jazz Project and the Free Library of Philadelphia ’s season of concerts meditating on what the Great Migration means for our city’s musical DNA is nearing the final curtain. If you’ve been meaning to make it to any of the shows in this series, now’s your chance! On Monday, April 25, Victor North… continue reading Mysterious Travelers 2 Concert Series | Up Next! Victor North | Recapping Najwa Parkins
By written by Perry G. April 21, 2016
Librarians in the Music Department and the New Americans Committee invite you to celebrate the unique cultural heritage of Philadelphia’s immigrant communities with the New Americans Spring Concert Series . In April, May, and June, we’ll offer three free pop-up concerts in the Grand Lobby of the Parkway Central Library , each… continue reading New Americans Spring Concert Series
By written by Perry G. April 12, 2016
On a chilly Sunday afternoon, about 25 people—kids, college students, seniors—all packed into the cozy Gatehouse at Philadelphia’s famed Laurel Hill Cemetery for a discussion of “Laurel Hill’s Legendary Ladies of the Civil War Era,” a program presented in partnership with our very own One Book, One… continue reading #OneBookWednesday: Civil War Ladies of Philadelphia’s Own Laurel Hill
By written by Alix G. March 30, 2016
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Here in the Music Department , we serve every type of person related to music: aspiring jazz singers, community newspaper music critics, authors penning books on SWP hip-hop, K-Pop purists, and more. The home recorder—one dedicated by choice or necessity to recording outside of a traditional studio—is one of this… continue reading Plug In to Free Recording Workshops with the DIY Recording Meetup
By written by Perry G. March 29, 2016
One Book, One Philadelphia teams up every year for programming with the University of Pennsylvania, and every year they knock it out of the park for International Women’s Day. This year’s program focused on investing in women in agriculture, a theme we saw in Cold Mountain with Ada and Ruby. The two women in the novel worked the… continue reading #OneBookWednesday: International Women’s Day 2016: Global Perspectives on Women, Food Security, and Agriculture
By written by Cynthia Ann S. March 23, 2016
On Monday, March 28, join the Free Library of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Jazz Project for our latest installment of the Mysterious Travelers 2 Jazz Series. We music librarians see the popular concert set—specifically, exhibition—as the logical endpoint of hours spent at the people’s university poring over songbooks,… continue reading Mysterious Travelers 2 Concert Series | Up Next! Najwa Parkins | Recapping William Wali Bickley
By written by Perry G. March 23, 2016 1
The Print and Picture Collection is pleased to announce a new exhibtion in the Print and Picture Collection Hallway Gallery. The exhibition, Joel Katz and Jackie Neale , features photographs and collage by Joel Katz and photographs by Jackie Neale and is on view from March 14 through April 29, 2016. Joel Katz is an information designer and… continue reading Joel Katz and Jackie Neale Exhibition and Opening Reception
By written by Laura S. March 14, 2016
My dad was a radio DJ when I was a kid and thereby instilled in me a fierce love of music. As far back as my days of wearing footie pajamas I preferred partaking of his vast vinyl collection to playing with my own toys. When I was in college, my 1980 Toyota Corolla had a state-of-the-art Alpine stereo system (and… continue reading Yes, I Do Know How to Find Great New Music
By written by Kim B. March 11, 2016
Join us on Saturday, April 2 at 2:00 p.m. for a free performance by the Philadelphia Chinese Opera Society (PCOS) in the Montgomery Auditorium on the ground floor at the Parkway Central Library. Under the artistic direction of Ms. Shuyuan Li and the musical direction of Mr. Zhenguo Liu, the PCOS will bring this art form dating… continue reading Join Us for a Performance by the Philadelphia Chinese Opera Society
By written by Leanne F. March 7, 2016
