August is National Black Business Month ! Philadelphia is home to a wide array of Black-owned businesses, from art galleries to restaurants and so much more. Just how many Black-owned businesses are there in Philadelphia? In 2019, Pew Charitable Trust’s State of the City report put the figure at 2.5% of all Philadelphia businesses .… continue reading August is National Black Business Month
By written by Claire L. August 18, 2022
With fall approaching, what better time than now to join the Adult Literacy Book Club , presented by the Free Library's Languages and Learning Center ! Improve your reading skills while reading and discussing interesting books as we turn the page on a new season in Philadelphia. Don't always have a lot of time to read? No problem. The… continue reading The Adult Literacy Book Club's Fall Book Selection
By written by Phil K. August 17, 2022
We're setting new Summer of Wonder records in 2022! Not only did we meet our Community Reading Minutes goal for the summer, we also blasted past all of our minutes-read milestones and logged the most online community minutes read in Free Library history! As of this month, we have read over 360,000 minutes! We're so proud. To… continue reading Celebrating Another Summer of Wonder
By written by Emily S. August 15, 2022
Did you know that water makes up 71 percent of our world and is a vital component of all forms of life on Earth? Look at a globe and you’ll see our continents surrounded by oceans. When seen from space, our planet looks blue due to all the water on its surface! Would you like to learn more about water? Start here! Hey, water by Antoinette… continue reading Picture Book Highlights | Water
By written by Monica C. August 12, 2022
Literacy in Early Learning Spaces is a Free Library project focused on literacy and language development in children from birth through 5 years old. We partner with childcare programs across Philadelphia and are funded through a generous investment from the Vanguard Strong Start for Kids Program™. This post was written by Bilingual Early… continue reading Literacy in Early Learning Spaces | How does reading out loud help young children learn to talk?
By written by Emily S. August 10, 2022
Throughout the month of July, Field Teen Center recorded interviews with a voice actor, four game designers, and a comic book writer. If you’re interested in creative jobs or if you just want to learn more about how your favorite TV shows, games, and books are made, you won’t want to miss these! Job Talk: A Conversation with Voice… continue reading Explore Creative Careers with Field Teen Center!
By written by Yona Y. August 5, 2022
Residents can get out of the heat and into an air-conditioned space at a neighborhood library with access to books, computers, wireless internet, and other library amenities. Masks are recommended. The following neighborhood library locations will serve as cooling centers from Monday, August 8, 2022 to Tuesday,… continue reading Cooling Centers Open at Select Libraries on Monday, August 8 through Tuesday, August 9
By written by Jenn D. August 5, 2022
Interested in time travel? The superpowered James Webb Telescope has released its first images this month, giving us a window into distant space and the distant past. It’s dazzling. The Carina Nebula, a birthing ground for stars, appears as a mountainous orange wave flowing upward in a deep blue twinkling field. Stephan’s Quintet,… continue reading Time Travel to the Beginning of the Universe
By written by Emily S. August 5, 2022
Juanita Vega DeJoseph is the Assistant Department Head in the Art & Literature Department and someone who enjoys cooking and creating. We are so grateful to Juanita for sharing her process of making sofrito, a recipe that has much meaning to her. In the following video, we are invited into a conversation between Juanita and… continue reading Making Sofrito with Juanita and Family!
By written by Shayna M. August 1, 2022 3
Ready for some new reads to escape this long, hot summer? Read on for fun and inspiring books to help get you through the dog days of August. Young Children (up to 2nd Grade) To Change a Planet by Christina Soontornvat; illustrated by Rahele Jomepour Bell Earth spins through eons of time, and then one day humans arrive and they change the… continue reading New Titles Coming to the Free Library in August!
By written by Rachel F. August 1, 2022
Are you passionate about serving diverse populations in an urban public library setting? Are you ready for all that Philadelphia has to offer? If so, then please consider this community-focused Librarian position housed within a large, municipal library system—the Free Library of Philadelphia . We expect to hire many librarians (MLS or… continue reading We're Hiring Librarians!
By written by Jenn D. July 25, 2022 1
Chess is thriving! The New York Times recently reported that interest in chess is at a 50 year high, the highest level since the 1972 World Chess Championship between American Bobby Fischer (1943-2008) and Soviet Boris Spassky (1937 - ). Bobby Fischer won the much-watched match, and solidified his reputation as one of the (if not the ) greatest… continue reading International Chess Day is July 20th
By written by Sharyl O. July 20, 2022
Here's one more reason to love July: it's National Ice Cream Month! There's something special about having ice cream in the summer -- a cool, delicious, creamy treat for the hot days of the year. Here are some picture books to get you in the mood for an ice cream treat (not that you needed any encouragement, right?) Ice cream face… continue reading Picture Book Highlights | National Ice Cream Month
By written by Monica C. July 19, 2022
Strawberries are super and sweet to look at and to eat! In this video, Shayna used strawberries as her theme for making handmade cards . What ideas do you have for making cards or stationary? What shapes and colors can you find in different fruits and vegetables? Nourishing Literacy offers food, literacy, wellness, and life skills… continue reading Nourishing Literacy | Let's make strawberry cards with Shayna!
By written by Shayna M. July 15, 2022
The Summer Readers of Philadelphia are on a roll. Just halfway through the Free Library’s Summer of Wonder, we’re more than halfway to our citywide online reading minutes goal! If you’re not signed up yet, it’s not too late! Join the Summer of Wonder online today, and help us reach 100,000 community minutes read by… continue reading Halfway through Summer of Wonder 2022!
By written by Emily S. July 14, 2022
Literacy in Early Learning Spaces is a Free Library project focused on literacy and language development in children from birth through 5 years old. We partner with childcare programs across Philadelphia and are funded through a generous investment from the Vanguard Strong Start for Kids Program™. This post was written by Bilingual Early… continue reading Literacy in Early Learning Spaces | How do young children interact with books?
By written by Emily S. July 13, 2022
As the days get warmer in our area, we hope you keep the Free Library in mind as a great place to cool off! Here are a few ways to beat the heat with us (and our friends around the City of Philadelphia!). Borrow a birding backpack from select Free Library locations, and head into the shade of some of the best hiking trails in our area!… continue reading 6 Ways to Keep Cool with the Free Library and in Philly this Summer!
By written by Kate C. July 12, 2022
Lately, transgender and gender non-conforming youth have been a hot topic across the nation. Many people feel confused, even panicked, and it can be hard to tell what claims being made are even true. We've assembled a panel of experts: real parents and professionals who support transgender and gender non-conforming children and adolescents.… continue reading Empathy Versus Misinformation: Transgender Youth Panel Series
By written by Shelley R. July 11, 2022
This July we are exploring summer treats going down the shore, world travel, escaping into sweet love stories, and possibly, battling our own clone! A little something for everyone in the following recommendations of new titles! Young Children (up to 2nd Grade) A Day for Sandcastles by JonArno Lawson; illustrated by Qin Leng A busload of… continue reading New Titles Coming to the Free Library in July!
By written by Rachel F. July 8, 2022 1
Phew, the summer is heating up! As we all try our best to deal with the rising temperatures in our area, don't forget that the Free Library is a great place to cool off. Check your neighborhood library's hours of operation and available services on our Locations page —we hope to see you this summer for a visit!… continue reading Celebrate the Dog Days of Summer!
By written by Kate C. June 30, 2022
