Did you know? This year, February 27 is National Polar Bear Day. A day to celebrate and learn about polar bears is always a good day! A great place to start is right here at the library — we have many books about these amazing bears. Learn where they live, what their day is like and what challenges polar bears face in their own… continue reading Picture Book Highlights | National Polar Bear Day
By written by Monica C. February 27, 2023
The Education, Philosophy, and Religion Department strives to offer engaging and informative programs that touch on the wide variety of topics included within our collection of materials. Our upcoming program, The Message of Swami Vivekananda: An Interfaith Reading Group is the first program we’re offering in 2023. We believe… continue reading Explore the Message of Swami Vivekananda With Our Interfaith Reading Group
By written by Alex B. February 21, 2023
It’s Black History Month and the Free Library has an extensive archive of podcasts and videos to help you celebrate a diverse range of writers working in politics, fiction, food, poetry, religion, memoirs, sports, and much more. Here’s curated list of eight author events that feature some leading Black voices and viewpoints —… continue reading Celebrating Black Voices with the Free Library Podcast
By written by Jason F. February 16, 2023
One Book, One Philadelphia is a signature project of the Free Library of Philadelphia that promotes literacy, library usage, and civic dialogue by encouraging the entire greater Philadelphia area to come together through reading and discussing a single book. From April 20–June 22 , dozens of free-to-the-public events, discussions,… continue reading Announcing the 2023 One Book, One Philadelphia Selections
By written by Bridget G. February 15, 2023 5
This February as we celebrate Black History Month, we want to recommend some pictures books published in 2022 that were written and/or illustrated by Black creators. In the following list, you’ll find books about self-love and self-esteem, about family, inspiring figures, and books filled with play, adventures and imagination. Hey You! An… continue reading Picture Book Highlights | Black History Month
By written by Monica C. February 13, 2023
Are you ready for some football?! We are! We can't wait to watch our Philadelphia Eagles take on the Kansas City Chiefs this Sunday night at 6:30 p.m. from State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. While you wait out the last couple days before kickoff, here are five ways you can celebrate and cheer on the Birds with the Free Library! 1.… continue reading Fly, Eagles, Fly! 5 Ways to Celebrate the Big Game with the Free Library
By written by Kate C. February 10, 2023
Are you a librarian with three years of experience and a passion for serving diverse populations in an urban public library setting? The Free Library of Philadelphia is seeking experienced librarians to supervise branches as they inspire lifelong learning in neighborhoods throughout the city. This is a community-focused librarian position (MLS… continue reading The Free Library Seeks Library Supervisors!
By written by Bridget G. February 7, 2023
February is Black History Month and, as we do throughout the year, the Free Library’s Author Events series is excited to celebrate diverse voices, viewpoints, and topics. This includes the story of one Black Philadelphian family’s long fight for social justice and human rights, new fiction from two dynamic novelists, an exploration… continue reading Six Upcoming Black History Month Author Events at the Free Library
By written by Jason F. February 6, 2023
Just announced this week from LibLearnX in New Orleans, we give you the Youth Media Awards ! This highly esteemed collection of outstanding books, audiobooks, and materials for children and young adults is honored annually by the American Library Association (ALA). Selected by committees composed of librarians and other… continue reading The 2023 Youth Media Award Winners Are Here!
By written by Emily S. February 3, 2023
2022 IRS Tax Return Updates and Paper Form Availability at the Library The IRS tax season has begun. If you are used to picking up paper tax forms at your local library, you will notice a few changes. The Internal Revenue Service is not publishing the 1040 Form Booklet this tax season. In past years, the 1040 Form Booklet used to contain the… continue reading Tax Season 2023: Here’s All You Need to Know Before Filing
By written by Marija G. February 2, 2023
Welcome to Black History Month! The theme of this year’s annual celebration is Black Resistance , an acknowledgement of the continued fight against historic and on-going oppression. Join the Free Library to celebrate Black resistance and resilience with the young learners in your life. Read on to discover new ways to listen, learn, and… continue reading Black History Month for Kids and Families
By written by Emily S. January 31, 2023
It may be chilly outside, but the Free Library has some titles to warm you up this month! Young Children (up to 2nd Grade) You So Black by Theresa Tha S.O.N.G.B.I.R.D. Based on Theresa Wilson’s (a.k.a. Theresa tha S.O.N.G.B.I.R.D.’s) beautiful, viral spoken word poem of the same name. Black is everywhere, and in… continue reading New Titles Coming to the Free Library in February!
By written by Rachel F. January 31, 2023
When looking for funny books to read aloud, one can’t go wrong with books about underwear. It’s undeniable that kids love stories about underwear; there’s something light and playful about undergarments that can easily bring an audience to giggles. We have got you covered (wink!) with these fun picture books:… continue reading Picture Book Highlights | Underwear!
By written by Monica C. January 25, 2023
The Culinary Literacy Center is all abuzz about one of its most special projects: making honey! A little known fact about Parkway Central Library is that we have an apiary, otherwise known as a collection of honeybee hives, on the rooftop near our culinary classroom. There are ten hives, each hosting a “colony” of about 60,000… continue reading Buy Honey Harvested from the Free Library Apiary and Support the Culinary Literacy Center!
By written by Abigail W. January 23, 2023 9
Using your library card, you can now enjoy Black history in the oral tradition via The HistoryMakers Digital Archive : the largest video archive of African American history spanning from the 1700s to the present day. This special collection of stories is told through intimate interviews with notable figures like President Barack Obama,… continue reading The HistoryMakers: Enjoy African American History On-Demand
By written by Bridget G. January 19, 2023
What better way to learn about Black history than through the lens of Black news sources, as written and published by the African American journalists of yesterday? The Free Library is pleased to highlight a digital resource that provides access to the most distinguished Black newspapers in the United States. Cardholders currently… continue reading All the Historic Black Newspapers Available Online With Your Library Card
By written by Administrator January 18, 2023 2
It’s a brand-new year and a new celebration is getting near: Chinese New Year. It is also called Lunar New Year because the festivities fall from the first new moon to the next full moon. This year the fun starts on Sunday, January 22, and 2023 will be the Year of the Rabbit! Look for these books to share with your little ones… continue reading Picture Book Highlights | Happy Lunar New Year!
By written by Monica C. January 18, 2023
The Free Library is very pleased to announce the return of Kanopy, the popular on-demand video streaming service that The New York Times has called, "a garden of cinematic delights." Kanopy PLUS, including Kanopy Kids, is now available at no cost with your Free Library of Philadelphia library card. Kanopy PLUS (Public… continue reading Kanopy is Back!
By written by Sharyl O. January 17, 2023 24
Do your New Year's Resolutions include getting a new job, pivoting to a new field, or learning some new skills? Check out upcoming virtual career workshops for jobseekers at the Free Library, brought to you by Full Circle Group and JEVS Human Services! Workshops taught by Full Circle Group are made possible in part… continue reading Start Your 2023 Career Goals with Free Virtual Career Workshops!
By written by Steven D. January 11, 2023
Updated - Online access to the New York Times has now been restored. Please review the steps needed to access the New York Times online with your library card . Editor's Note: This post was originally published November 21, 2022. The workaround explained below should no longer be necessary as online access to the New York Times has been… continue reading New York Times Electronic Access Workaround - UPDATED
By written by Sharyl O. January 4, 2023 5
