General Election Day is Tuesday, November 8, 2022 and many of our neighborhood libraries will again serve as designated voting locations. Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.; anyone in line by 8:00 p.m. will be able to vote. Most Library voting locations will also provide Library services on Election Day; a few, however, will be… continue reading 35 Library Locations Will Serve as Polling Places for the November 8, 2022 General Election

By written by Jenn D.    October 31, 2022   

• Voting and Elections

It’s National First Responders Day! Every day is a great opportunity to honor the people in our community who have dedicated their lives to helping others in times of distress. These people are invaluable to society, and they deserve our recognition and praise. My uncle and his son (my cousin) are current firefighters for Philadelphia and… continue reading National First Responders Day

By written by Kamilah C.    October 28, 2022   

• Careers
• Holidays
• Community
• Job Seekers

The Languages and Learning Center (LLC) is excited to introduce the members of our Participant Advisory Board (PAB) to the Free Library community. Our Participant Advisory Board launched in June 2021, inspired by a similar project at the Welcoming Center . The founding board members are a mix of learners and volunteers in the Languages and… continue reading Introducing the Languages and Learning Center’s Participant Advisory Board

By written by Lindsay S.    October 27, 2022    1  

• Languages
• Literacy
• Online Learning
• Adult Learning
• English Language Learners
• Languages and Learning

A few years ago, I had a bit of a crazy thought. In 2020, I considered running for office in my town. I didn’t know how far I should aim. Mayor? Councilwoman? I felt I needed to get involved. I felt some of the decisions that were being made were the result of longstanding relationships and backdoor handshakes. I suppose that is what… continue reading National Civics Day

By written by Kamilah C.    October 27, 2022   

• Elections
• Community

It's that time of year where staying warm in the comfort of your home sounds so nice. Why not work on getting your next job or learning a new skill from the comfort of your home! Check out upcoming virtual career workshops for jobseekers at the Free Library, brought to you by Full Circle Group and JEVS Human Services!… continue reading Work Towards a New Career with Virtual Career Workshops!

By written by Steven D.    October 26, 2022   

• Events at the Library
• Careers
• Business Resource and Innovation Center
• Digital Learning
• Job Seekers
• Virtual Programs

Fall has begun and that means...it’s pumpkin time! As I walk around the neighborhood, I have started to see pumpkins outside supermarkets and door stoops. Trips to pumpkin patches are being planned, and one can find pumpkins of all sizes and colors at their local food stores. As it happens, here at the Free Library we also have pumpinks… continue reading Picture Book Highlights | Pumpkin time!

By written by Monica C.    October 24, 2022   

• Childrens Books
• Recommendations
• Picture Book Highlights

It’s the spookiest time of the year again, and the Free Library is getting in on the action! Read on for ways to celebrate the Halloween season with us at every age. This year, trick-or-treating in Philly will fall on Monday, October 31st, from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. Not sure where to go to show off your creepy costumes and collect your sweet… continue reading This is Halloween at the Free Library!

By written by Emily S.    October 24, 2022   

• Halloween

Do you have teens in your life who will be attending high school in Philly next year? They’ve got options. It is time for High School choice selection! The Philadelphia High School system is large, diverse, and has much to offer. Finding the right fit is key! The Free Library of Philadelphia’s LEAP team wants to help you find a high… continue reading It's Time for High School Choice!

By written by Emily S.    October 13, 2022   

• Teens
• Back To School
• LEAP

Reading Promise Week, where Philly celebrates reading, is this week! You can join in the all ages fun at book block parties celebrating young readers at events citywide during the week of October 10-17, 2022, organized by Read By 4th, Philadelphia’s Early Literacy Movement. Sounds interesting, right? More information on all that’s… continue reading Celebrating Reading Promise Week With Books That Promise A Good Read

By written by Jeff B.    October 12, 2022   

• Recommendations
• Read by 4th

Philadelphia proudly joins the many cities and states around the nation who have chosen to officially recognize and celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day in lieu of Columbus Day . This cultural shift seeks to recognize the harm done by colonization and to illuminate and honor the continued history of Indigenous Peoples in the Americas. In… continue reading Celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day in Philadelphia!

By written by Emily S.    October 7, 2022   

• Family Programs
• Holidays
• Indigenous Peoples

What Will Your Reading Promise Be? The Free Library and Read By 4th invite your family to join us for Reading Promise Week , October 10-16! This weeklong in-person event series serves as a catalyst for the Reading Promise initiative. Participating families pledge to read and create together, talk it up, champion school success, and protect… continue reading Join Us for Reading Promise Week | October 10-16

By written by Emily S.    October 6, 2022    2  

• Childrens Programs
• Childrens Books
• Read by 4th

Do you want to learn a new language for career advancement, to speak to new acquaintances, feel more comfortable when traveling to a foreign country, understand foreign movies, or just exercise your brain? Our Mango Languages database can help! With over 70 languages to choose from, including English, Mango’s got it covered. It’s… continue reading Learn a New Language with Mango Languages

By written by Sharyl O.    October 5, 2022    7  

• Languages
• Digital Literacy
• Online Learning
• New Americans

The  Nonprofit Job Fair  returns to Parkway Central Library on October 13 and the  Business Resource and Innovation Center  staff have the resources to help you make a great first impression! Use these tools to learn what makes job seeking in the nonprofit and social impact sectors unique. If you are a first-time… continue reading Get Ready for the Nonprofit Job Fair!

By written by Caitlin S.    October 5, 2022   

• Job Fairs
• Nonprofit
• Job Seekers

Decorative gourd season is in full swing and the Free Library has some treats to share with you, like these new titles coming to our shelves this fall! Young Children (up to 2nd Grade) Our Day of the Dead Celebration by Ana Aranda The Day of the Dead is a happy day when Mar’s family gathers together. There are favorite dishes to… continue reading New Titles Coming to the Free Library in October!

By written by Rachel F.    October 3, 2022   

• Recommendations
• Monthly New Titles
• New Titles

Welcome to Banned Books Week 2022! From September 18-24, we will be delving into the most challenged titles of the past year. The Office for Intellectual Freedom , a project of the American Library Association, compiles this list annually to raise awareness about censorship in libraries and schools.  It has been a difficult year for the… continue reading Banned Books Week | Close to Home

By written by Emily S.    September 22, 2022   

• Banned Books

As we continue to celebrate  Library Card Sign-Up Month  and reflect all all the wonderful things libaries can be, it's time to celebrate another important library holiday— Banned Books Week ! Beginning yesterday and extending through Saturday, September 24, this annual American Library Association… continue reading Banned Books Week | Why We Participate

By written by Kate C.    September 20, 2022   

• Banned Books

The Free Library of Philadelphia is pleased to announce the 2022–23 Philadelphia Youth Poet Laureate: Telicia Darius, a senior at Hardy Williams Mastery Charter School in a dual enrollment program at the Community College of Philadelphia! She was selected from a competitive pool of applicants by the Poet Laureate Governing Committee, and… continue reading Introducing the 2022–23 Philadelphia Youth Poet Laureate...

By written by Administrator    September 19, 2022   

• Poetry
• Philadelphia Poet Laureate

Are you interested in working for the Free Library of Philadelphia? We have scores of different job types in diverse fields such as security, property management, IT, communications, and more! With 54 locations in every part of Philadelphia, we need dedicated, enthusiastic, and creative staff to support the incredible public resource that is… continue reading Find a Job and Build Your Career at the Free Library

By written by Administrator    September 19, 2022    12  

• Careers
• Job Seekers
• Free Library Careers
• Job Listings

Whether poetry, biographies, sci-fi, historical fiction or more, these middle grade titles are just some of what’s available, highlighted for celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15–October 15) and beyond. The Casagrandes: Anything for familia by Ronnie Anne Santiago Ronnie Anne Santiago is back with her full… continue reading Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month/Celebrando El Mes Nacional de la Herencia Hispana

By written by Jeff B.    September 15, 2022   

• Recommendations

It's time to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, which takes place this year from September 15 through October 15. We'd like to celebrate by highlighting the amazing work of Latinx authors and illustrators in recent picture books! There is so much to enjoy as you read these books about love, family, courage, and… continue reading Picture Book Highlights | 18 Great New Latinx Picture Books

By written by Monica C.    September 14, 2022   

• Childrens Books
• Recommendations
• Picture Book Highlights