At the Free Library, we believe that the holidays should be a time filled with warmth, wonder, and shared experiences for everyone, regardless of age or interests. With this in mind, we've scoured our catalog and digital collections to assemble a festive array of recently released holiday-themed books, movies, crafts, and more, guaranteed… continue reading Handpicked Holiday Entertainment for All Ages From Our Catalog

By written by Bridget G.    November 29, 2023   

• Holidays
• Recommendations

Happy Giving Tuesday ! This worldwide movement is an opportunity for people everywhere to use their individual power of generosity to remain connected and support their communities. Here at the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation , it’s an opportunity to write your library story. "You can have all kinds of programs in the… continue reading Support the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation on Giving Tuesday

By written by Kate C.    November 28, 2023   

• Support
• Nonprofit

Join the Free Library this holiday season at Philadelphia’s authentic German Christmas market, presented by Bank of America! Christmas Village will light up LOVE Park and City Hall from Thanksgiving (November 23) until Christmas Eve (December 24). Everyone is invited to experience the charm of a traditional German holiday… continue reading Storytimes at Christmas Village and More Holiday Fun

By written by Emily S.    November 27, 2023   

• Family Programs
• Holidays
• Storytime

The Free Library of Philadelphia is the proud custodian of an astounding literary artifact in our Rare Book Department : a copy of Shakespeare's First Folio that belonged to English poet and intellectual John Milton  (1608–1674). 2023 marks the 400th anniversary year of the publication of the First Folio… continue reading “Making Shakespeare: The First Folio” - Featuring a Cherished Free Library Artifact

By written by Bridget G.    November 21, 2023    1  

• Parkway Central
• Rare Book Department
• Film
• History
• Shakespeare

With the spirit of giving on our minds, we want to remind you that November 28 is Giving Tuesday ! Founded in 2012, Giving Tuesday has grown into a worldwide movement. It is a powerful way for you to continue the warmth and goodwill of Thanksgiving into the rest of the holiday season and has inspired hundreds of millions of people to give,… continue reading Giving Tuesday is Coming!

By written by Kate C.    November 21, 2023   

• Holidays
• Support
• Nonprofit

In honor of the Thanksgiving holiday, we present a curated collection of podcasts from our Author Events series archive.   Thanksgiving is often traditionally associated with America’s indigenous peoples, but what is the real story of Native Americans? From 2019, here’s the author and Ojibwe from the Leech Lake Reservation in… continue reading 10 Free Library Podcast Episodes Perfect for Thanksgiving

By written by Jason F.    November 20, 2023   

• Holidays
• Author Events
• Cooking
• Sports
• Native American

In our Manga 101 series, we’ve answered some frequently asked questions , defined some common manga terms , and looked at some of the most popular manga genres found at the Free Library. This time, we’ll take a look at other forms of media that are related to manga. Anime While manga refers to comics, anime refers to animation. Lots… continue reading Manga 101: Related Concepts

By written by Meg B.    November 20, 2023   

• Reading
• Teens
• Comics and Graphic Novels
• Anime and Manga

November is National Novel Writing Month. That’s right, the goal is to write a whole novel in a month. For more information about National Novel Writing Month, check out  NaNoWriMo.org . While the very idea of writing a whole novel in a month may seem daunting (okay, it is daunting), don’t worry, we’ve got your back! Have… continue reading Elevate Your Writing: 10 Author Events Podcasts Perfect for NaNoWriMo

By written by Jason F.    November 17, 2023    1  

• Podcasts
• Author Events
• Writing

Thanksgiving is only a week away! In the spirit of the holiday, here are some local Thanksgiving-related community events that include turkey drives, giveaways, and free Thanksgiving meals for seniors, families in need, and people experiencing homelessness. Note that many of these are first-come, first-served events and that some require… continue reading Local Thanksgiving Food Drives and Shared Meals for Those in Need

By written by Bridget G.    November 16, 2023    2  

• Community Events
• Holidays
• Community
• Social Services

The Free Library of Philadelphia is excited to announce the return of six-day service at 10 of our neighborhood library locations throughout the city. Saturday hours are being rolled out in waves, so more libraries will be added soon. Beginning November 18, 2023 , the following branches will be open on Saturdays from… continue reading Six-Day Service Beginning at 10 Neighborhood Free Library Branches

By written by Administrator    November 15, 2023    9  

• Community
• Neighborhood Libraries
• Free Library Announcements

Can you believe the holiday season is almost upon us? While families are preparing to celebrate their favorite holiday traditions, we invite you to join the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation for one of our own cherished traditions — a 2023 Commemorative Free Library Bookplate ! Commemorative bookplates are memorable… continue reading Take Part in a Free Library Holiday Tradition: Dedicate a Bookplate!

By written by Kate C.    November 14, 2023   

• Holidays
• Support
• Nonprofit

With all the hiring excitement going on at the Free Library recently, there’s a mix of both new and familiar faces in all of the branches, and you might be wondering what some of these folks do. " Faces of the Free Library " is an interview series intended to introduce library staff to the public and highlight the important… continue reading Faces of the Free Library: Meet Grace!

By written by Bridget G.    November 10, 2023    2  

• Free Library Staff
• Interview

November is here, and the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation is excited to soak up the last full month of autumn with programs and events at the Free Library! Browse the  event calendar  now and find festive storytimes, crafts, and more for the whole family! This time of year also has us feeling thankful, especially for YOU!… continue reading It's the Season of Giving!

By written by Kate C.    November 8, 2023   

• Holidays
• Support
• Culinary Literacy
• Nonprofit

Municipal Election Day is Tuesday, November 7, 2023 , and 30 of our neighborhood libraries will serve as designated voting locations. Polls are open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. Remember: anyone in line by 8 p.m. will be able to vote — so stay in line! Most Library voting locations will also provide library… continue reading 30 Libraries Will Serve As Polling Places for the November 7, 2023 Municipal Election

By written by Bridget G.    November 6, 2023   

• Neighborhood Libraries
• Voting and Elections

Pregnancy is an amazing journey filled with excitement, wonder, and the anticipation of meeting your little one for the first time. Even before birth, it’s a time when parents typically start thinking about how they can provide the best possible environment for their baby’s overall well-being and development. Did you know you can… continue reading Nurturing Your Baby in the Womb: The Benefits of Prenatal Education

By written by Kimberly G.    November 6, 2023   

• Music
• Reading
• Early Literacy
• Read Baby Read

Are you an inventor, artist, entrepreneur, or small business owner interested in learning how to protect your idea and business assets? The Free Library of Philadelphia's  Patent and Trademark Resource Center (PTRC) is offering 45-minute one-on-one appointments with a Patent and Trademark Librarian. These appointments require an… continue reading Patent and Trademark Resource Center Appointments Now Available

By written by Raymond W.    November 3, 2023    1  

• Patent and Trademark
• Business Resource and Innovation Center
• Business
• Library Resources
• Adult Learning

November is Native American Heritage Month . The Free Library, located on the ancestral lands of the Lenni-Lenape people, is proud to honor this tradition. Read on to learn what this holiday is all about, and how you and your family can participate. Each November, we honor Native American Heritage Month as a time to acknowledge, celebrate, and… continue reading Native American Heritage Month and Beyond

By written by Emily S.    November 1, 2023    2  

• Holidays
• Native American
• Indigenous Peoples

The Free Library of Philadelphia is conducting research on patrons' use of  freelibrary.org to help improve the current website experience. We would love to hear from you! Patrons aged 18 years or older can fill out the survey at freelibrary.org/feedback to share their thoughts. It will only take 3–5 minutes to complete:… continue reading Help Improve the Free Library's Website!

By written by Administrator    October 31, 2023    1  

• Website
• Free Library Announcements

We are grateful for these new titles arriving on our shelves this fall!   Young Children (up to 2nd Grade) A Letter for Bob by Kim Rogers Ever since the day Mom and Dad brought Bob home from the car dealership, Bob has been a part of Katie's family. Bob has taken them all over, from powwows to vacations to time spent with faraway… continue reading New Titles Coming to the Free Library in November!

By written by Rachel F.    October 26, 2023   

• Recommendations
• Native American
• Monthly New Titles
• New Titles

And Now, Love (2019), the award-winning feature documentary, chronicles the amazing life of renowned psychoanalyst Dr. Bernard Bail, an important Philadelphian and Temple Medical School graduate. The Free Library's Education, Philosophy, and Religion Department will hold a screening and discussion of the film on Wednesday, November 1… continue reading Upcoming Documentary Screening on Groundbreaking Psychoanalyst Dr. Bernard Bail

By written by Phil K.    October 23, 2023   

• Events at the Library
• Film Screenings
• Parkway Central
• Film