My name is Peter and I LOVE bad movies. I say—the worse, the better! Schlocky scripts, rubber monsters, awful acting, melodramatic bio pics, big budget special fx-laden flops—I'll gladly (attempt to) watch 'em all. While others may get excited about the Oscar race towards the end of each year, I'm anxiously awaiting the… continue reading #FLPNoShameNovember: Nothing Better Than A Bad Movie
By written by Peter SM November 27, 2015 2
I am a librarian and I do not like to read literature. There, I said it. Don’t get me wrong, I love to read—I just don’t like “the classics” as a genre. The Brontës put me to sleep. And don’t get me started on Ulysses . (Sorry to all my wonderful Rosenbach colleagues, but I just… continue reading #FLPNoShameNovember: True Confessions of a Librarian
By written by Jen W. November 23, 2015 7
When I was growing up you had to have a special sticker on your library card to be allowed to take out adult books. Eventually I convinced my parents that I had read every book in the kid’s section and I was ready to move up, even though I was still technically too young. The minute I got special permission for the ‘adult’… continue reading Getting Swept Away during #FLPNoShameNovember
By written by Dena November 20, 2015
When new acquaintances find out I’m a librarian, our conversations generally go in one of two directions—either people apologize for not reading enough OR they quiz me about the latest “important” book, usually a New York Times bestseller by a middle-class white male that’s a character study of a middle-class white… continue reading #FLPNoShameNovember: YA? Why Not!
By written by Rachel F. November 17, 2015 4
This month the Free Library is celebrating #NoShameNovember by encouraging you to read whatever you like—no shame, no judgement. So let's bust out the bodice rippers and airport thrillers and read to our hearts' content. The purpose of #FLPNoShameNovember, to applaud reading in all its forms, is all very nobel… continue reading eReading #FLPNoShameNovember
By written by Jamie W. November 16, 2015
I used to watch a lot of true crime shows. My roster? Fatal Vows , Nightmare Next Door , Snapped , Homicide Hunter , and Stalke d, which told the stories of real crimes and how they were solved— if they were solved. Some are skeptical of such shows, but I liked feeling the chills up my spine while I was snuggled in my bed, and I… continue reading #FLPNoShameNovember, in Cold Blood
By written by Kalela W. November 13, 2015 1
There aren’t many books whose covers I am ashamed to bare to the world as I read. I read a lot of self-help ( Gretchen Rubin ), pop culture ( Chuck Klosterman ), and anything I am drawn to when I walk around the Free Library. I also love to read collections of essays, like those of Sarah Vowell and Sloane Crosley —both of whom have… continue reading #FLPNoShameNovember: PEOPLE Magazine
By written by Kate C. November 12, 2015 1
2015 marks the 100th anniversary of The Print Center , and organizations citywide, including the Free Library of Philadelphia Print and Picture Collection , are joining in the celebration. The Print Center was founded by a group of Philadelphia collectors in 1915 as The Print Club, one of the first venues in the country dedicated to the… continue reading The Artists of The Print Center
By written by Laura S. November 10, 2015
Since 2014, the Free Library’s new Regional Operations Center (ROC) has been open—open to staff, not the public. And while requesting most books from this offsite location is no different than placing a hold on any library item, it works a little differently for Government Publications. For material whose location is listed in the… continue reading Government Documents at the Regional Operations Center
By written by Administrator November 10, 2015 3
I’m never really embarrassed of the books I read, but that changed when I decided to tackle a book that’s been sitting on my “to read” list for about four years. You’d think I’d be proud of this feat, but instead I hid the book’s title when I was reading it in public. And when I went to type it into… continue reading I Love ... #FLPNoShameNovember
By written by Samantha M. November 10, 2015 1
It was recently announced that Philip Pullman’s award winning trilogy His Dark Materials would be adapted for film again, but this time for the small screen. It will be given a family-friendly version of the Game of Thrones treatment. The first book of the series, The Golden Compass , will be adapted into a television… continue reading Engage the Whole Family with the His Dark Materials Trilogy
By written by Elizabeth K. November 9, 2015
Ever since Nancy Drew roared into my first-grade life in her little blue roadster, I’ve been hooked on mystery books. And not just any mystery books—I’ve found myself particularly drawn to the paperback mysteries known as “cozies,” which means there’s little to no blood/sex/violence, and a whole lot of… continue reading A Cozy Yet Mysterious #FLPNoShameNovember
By written by Alix G. November 5, 2015 1
Looking for some scream-enducing movies for this scariest of weekends? Head over to IndieFlix, one of our partners for streaming video that specializes in indies, shorts, and classic films, where you'll find a great collection of Halloween films. A few personal favorites now streaming include Halloween (the orignal 1978 John… continue reading Streaming FEAR!!!!
By written by Jamie W. October 30, 2015
October 25 marked St. Crispin’s Day , a once-observed feast day, which is also claimed to be the day of the famed Battle of Agincourt—the great battle of Englishmen led by King Henry V against the much-greater-numbered French army. King Henry, in his pre-battle pep talk, rallies his men, saying And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er… continue reading Joining the “Happy Few”: A Mind Marathon of Shakespeare’s Complete Works
By written by Julie B. October 30, 2015
A malignant cell decides to go awry and multiply to become the most dangerous of enemies: cancer. In your lifetime you will likely know someone who has died from some form of cancer. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month , and it is synonymous with the pink ribbon campaign focusing on screening, treatment, and finding a cure. This year, the… continue reading Think Pink—Live Green
By written by Juanita V. October 20, 2015
Back by overwhelming popular demand! The Music Department at the Parkway Central Library is again collaborating with the Philadelphia Jazz Project and the Producers' Guild to present Mysterious Travelers 2 - Great Migrations . Through free concerts every fourth Monday night from October 2015 through May 2016, audiences will hear from… continue reading Mysterious Travelers 2: Great Migrations
By written by Adam F. October 5, 2015
The Free Library's mission is to "advance literacy, guide learning, and inspire curiosity," and few of our digital resources hit that mark as squarly as Tumblebooks. Tumblebooks began as a collection of gently animated talking picture books for young readers. They provide an ideal introduction to digital… continue reading Featured Resource: Tumblebooks
By written by Jamie W. September 30, 2015
Calling all creatives and burgeoning photographers! On Friday, October 9, 2015, the 6th Annual Philly Photo Day will celebrate photography as an art form, with the Greater Philadelphia region as the subject. In a region where the photographic backdrop to life’s coolest moments are some of America’s greatest architecture and… continue reading Celebrate Philly Photo Day 2015 with a Hands-on Photography Workshop for Adults over 50
By written by Laura S. September 29, 2015 1
Downloading got you down? Overdrive driving you crazy? Through our Digital Media portal and Online Catalog , we offer nearly 120,000 streaming or downloadable ebooks, more than 19,000 streaming or downloadable audiobooks, and more than 1,400 downloadable podcasts from our renowned Author Events Series. But we know these awesome figures will… continue reading Downloadable Media Helpline at Your Service
By written by Lori M. September 21, 2015 4
The Print and Picture Collection is pleased to announce a new exhibition in the Print and Picture Collection Hallway Gallery. The exhibition, Robin Brewer and Sinéad Cahill , features found photography by Robin Brewer and stone lithography on fabric by Sinéad Cahill and is on view from September 14 through October 30,… continue reading Robin Brewer and Sinéad Cahill Exhibition and Opening Reception
By written by Laura S. September 15, 2015
