There’s treasure in your neighborhood if you know where to look! Southwest Philadelphia families are invited to hunt down treasure troves of books to kick-off Summer of Wonder in June. Saturday, June 4th, starting at 10am until all books are gone, Kingsessing Library and A Book A Day are hosting our second ever Summer of Wonder Treasure… continue reading Start Summer of Wonder with a Treasure Hunt
By written by Rachel R. May 25, 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 strongly encouraged. The following neighborhood library locations will serve as cooling centers on both Saturday and Sunday: Lucien E. Blackwell… continue reading Cooling Centers Open at Select Libraries This Weekend: Saturday, May 21 and Sunday, May 22
By written by Administrator May 20, 2022
It is the 20th year of the One Book, One Philadelphia project, and as special as that is on its own, it is made all the more exciting due to the fact that this year’s title, My Broken Language by Quiara Alegría Hudes, is a love letter to the city of Philadelphia. The book breathes with Philly air. You… continue reading Upcoming Events with a Philly-Based One Book!
By written by Nell M. May 16, 2022
Philadelphians, we need to talk! Join your neighbors at eight Free Library of Philadelphia libraries between May 23 and June 30th, to watch and discuss individual episodes of the award winning PBS documentary series Philly D.A. . We seek to learn from you, and from each other the answers to several pressing questions. Do you and your neighbors… continue reading Let's Talk: Philly D.A.
By written by Adam F. May 12, 2022 1
Primary Election Day is Tuesday, May 17, 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 36 Free Library Locations Will Serve as Polling Places for the Tuesday, May 17 Primary Election
By written by Jenn D. May 10, 2022
Happy National Bike Month ! Founded in 1956 by the League of American Bicyclists, National Bicycle Month is full of activities and initiatives to inspire people to take to the road on bikes rather than cars. If you’re heading back into the office, working from home, or looking to introduce a little more exercise into your schedule,… continue reading Bicycling Resources for National Bike Month
By written by Megan M. May 5, 2022
Mother’s Day can be so many things! For some it is a day for celebrating together as a family, for others it may be a phone or zoom call from far away, and for others still it is a day of remembering. Picture books are there to bring us all together with stories of love, of struggle and of longing for our mothers. My must-have… continue reading Picture Book Highlights | Mother's Day
By written by Monica C. May 5, 2022
Summer is a time of growth, fruit, and bloom, when life on this planet feels abundant and vibrant. It might be a season when we feel more aware of other beings living alongside us, even here in the city. Is it a natural time to consider being a scientist? We here at Youth Services think so! Biology is no more or less than the study of life… continue reading Join Science in the Summer to Be a Biologist!
By written by Emily S. May 4, 2022 3
May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month ! As part of the celebration, let’s again dive into recent picture books created by Asian authors and/or illustrators. This is just a small sample – for many more titles, be sure to check out our booklist . Titles are available both in print and as ebooks whenever possible. I am Golden by… continue reading Picture Book Highlights | Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
By written by Monica C. May 3, 2022
From May 2nd to May 8th, the country will be celebrating Children's Book Week , an annual celebration that promotes the joy of reading to children and young people. The event began a little over 100 years ago when Franklin K. Matthiews, the librarian of the Boy Scouts of America began a mission to promote higher standards in children's… continue reading Children's Book Week & the Free Library
By written by Chris B. May 3, 2022
Are you a creative, engaged student who is passionate about writing, reading, performing, and experiencing poetry? Are you equally passionate about working with your peers and other students to bring more poetry to Philadelphia? If so, apply to become the 2022-2023 Youth Poet Laureate! The Youth Poet Laureate of Philadelphia serves as a leader… continue reading Are You Philadelphia’s Next Youth Poet Laureate?
By written by Kris L. May 2, 2022 3
It's Jewish-American Heritage Month. Jewish-Americans have a rich and storied history and culture of our own. Many things we think of as chiefly Jewish are actually distinctly Jewish-American: From Bagels and Lox to the Conservative, Renewal, and Reconstructionist movements that have found their homes in synagogues around the country.… continue reading Jewish-American Heritage Month 2022
By written by Shelley R. May 2, 2022
We have a little something for everyone in these new titles coming to the Free Library of Philadelphia this May! Young Children (up to 2nd Grade) Yes We Will: Asian Americans Who Shaped This Country by Kelly Yang From creating beautiful music like Yo-Yo Ma to flying to outer space like Franklin Chang-Díaz; from standing up to injustice… continue reading New Titles Coming to the Free Library in May!
By written by Rachel F. May 2, 2022
You’ve most likely noticed when you visit your neighborhood library, all the books intended for school age children have a “j” label placed on the spine (sometimes “j” with a number if the subject of the book is factual). But why “j,” you might reasonably ask, when “k” – for kids… continue reading Four Young Ladies Show Courage
By written by Jeff B. April 26, 2022
It's the eve of the 20th season of One Book, One Philadelphia , and the opening event is tomorrow, Wednesday, April 27 at 7:30 p.m., featuring a conversation with Quiara Alegría Hudes—the author of the One Book 2022 featured title, My Broken Language —and Lilliam Rivera, the… continue reading The One Book, One Philadelphia Kickoff Is Upon Us!
By written by Nell M. April 26, 2022
Written by Isabel S. April 23 marks the day that we traditionally celebrate William Shakespeare’s birth and deathday, though neither of those occasions are confirmed to have actually been on the 23rd. Shakespeare was baptized on April 26, 1564, so historians estimate his actual birth was a few days before that. The same holds true for his… continue reading Rosemary for Shakespeare
By written by Administrator April 25, 2022
Every day is a good day to learn about how you can take care of the Earth and put that knowledge into action. I think one of the reasons some people have trouble acknowledging holidays like this is because the environmental issues we are experiencing are far too large and too global. While this is true, there are things that you can do as… continue reading Happy Earth Day!
By written by Kamilah C. April 22, 2022
In the summer of 2019, my fiancée and I spent one weekend volunteering for the Special Olympics in New Jersey. He volunteered for the organization back when he is college and a couple of times since then. The thought had been on his mind to return to the Special Olympics. This time, he wanted to bring me along. The event had… continue reading It's Volunteer Recognition Day!
By written by Kamilah C. April 20, 2022
Just in time for spring cleaning, N. C. Wyeth's The Old Woman Tost Up in a Basket is back on display in Up Above: Thinking About the Skies in Parkway Central Library. Creating and researching an exhibition is always an enjoyable and engaging experience, but the information we provide in our exhibition labels has to be brief. Most… continue reading Up Above: Thinking about the "Little Old Lady Tost Up in a Basket"
By written by Chris B. April 19, 2022 2
It’s never too late to take personal inventory and check in with yourself. How is your mental health? When was the last time you drank some water or ate a fully balanced meal? Can you remember the last time you inhaled and exhaled with intention? Do you have a quiet place nearby where you can decompress? When was the last time you visited… continue reading April is Stress Awareness Month
By written by Kamilah C. April 11, 2022
