The Free Library Board of Trustees will be holding its last meeting of FY25 on Thursday, June 12, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The meeting will be held in person in Rooms 405/406/407 at Parkway Central Library  (1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103). View the upcoming meeting agenda. Public Comment at Board of Trustees Meetings… continue reading Free Library Board of Trustees Public Meeting on Thursday, June 12 at 4:00 p.m.

By written by Administrator    June 9, 2025   

• Parkway Central
• Board of Trustees

The Literature Department ’s Monday Poets series is one of the longest-running programs for adults at the Free Library. This past season’s theme was Sankofa (SAHN-koh-fah), a Twi word from the Akan Tribe of Ghana loosely implying that to move forward, one must "go back and get it." In that spirit, we celebrated a… continue reading New Monday Poets Chapbook: The Sankofa Season

By written by Andrea L.    June 6, 2025   

• Reading
• Poetry
• Community
• Literature
• Free Library Announcements

The Free Library is home not only to books, but digital, visual, and auditory media. We take pride in curating a diverse collection of materials for our patrons to explore and borrow. People who don’t fit neatly into society’s categories often turn to artistic expression to share their experiences. Just as literature has… continue reading Queer Films in the Free Library Catalog

By written by Collin K.-H.    June 3, 2025   

• LGBTQ
• Film
• Catalog
• Free Library of Pride

Summer is the perfect time to explore the world around us, to play and be active, and to learn about new things for fun! This summer, students entering grades 2–6 will have the chance to enjoy all the best parts of summer while learning about five different health scientist careers with GSK and the Franklin Institute ’s Science in… continue reading Be a Health Scientist with Science in the Summer!

By written by Kayla H.    June 2, 2025   

• Events at the Library
• Childrens Programs
• Science
• Summer
• STEM

Looming from behind a glass case and wood framing in Parkway Central Library's Social Sciences and History Department is an accurate model of the USS North Carolina , a 74-gun ship of the line. While the oversized model was meticulously crafted in 1840 by an unknown New York sailor, the actual ship is much older. USS North… continue reading A Model Ship Docks at the Library

By written by Shane M.    May 30, 2025   

• Parkway Central
• History
• History of Philadelphia

There are lots of new titles for all ages to explore in early summer at the Free Library of Philadelphia! Young Children (up to 2nd Grade) City Summer, Country Summer by Kiese Laymon Three Black boys spend one special summer exploring the Mississippi woods and woulds and coulds of sharing the kind of freeing friendship that is love. Watched… continue reading New Titles Coming to the Free Library in June

By written by Rachel F.    May 29, 2025   

• Recommendations
• Catalog
• Monthly New Titles
• New Titles

Join the Newspapers and Microfilm Center on Thursday, May 29, at 6:00 p.m.  as we explore the vital role that local journalism plays in our communities. We’ll be screening News Matters , a powerful documentary by Brian Malone, following the efforts of journalists at The Denver Post as they fight to preserve their newsroom after… continue reading News Matters: Why Local Journalism is Crucial to Democracy

By written by Lillian L.    May 28, 2025   

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

This June, the Free Library of Philadelphia celebrates Pride Month with events, programs, and resources that amplify LGBTQ+ voices and stories. Everyone is welcome and everyone belongs at the Free Library. We value the LGBTQ+ community and remain committed to providing high-quality programs, services, and materials by and… continue reading Celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month with the Free Library

By written by Administrator    May 22, 2025    1  

• Events at the Library
• LGBTQ
• Neighborhood Libraries
• Free Library of Pride

Join us at Haddington Library  on Monday, June 2, at 3:30 p.m.  for Ready, Set, Rainbow ,  a fun and inclusive  Pride Month  event for families with children ages 3 to  10. This free event features Ants on a Log , a musical duo known for playful songs with thoughtful messages, and Brittany Lynn , Guinness World… continue reading Celebrate Pride with Ready, Set, Rainbow at Haddington Library!

By written by Dylan R.    May 21, 2025   

• Events at the Library
• Family Programs
• LGBTQ
• Music
• Free Library of Pride

What is your favorite summertime activity in Philadelphia? Do you hike through Wissahickon Park? Do you spend all day at your local Parks and Rec. swimming pool with your friends? Do you read new books at your neighborhood library? Whether you keep it local or jetset to places near or far,  Summer of Wonder  with the Free Library has… continue reading Discover, Explore, Create: Summer of Wonder 2025!

By written by Administrator    May 19, 2025    2  

• Events at the Library
• Childrens Programs
• Family Programs
• Teens
• Summer Reading

There’s a new club starting up at Parkway Central Library ! Please welcome the  Vinyl Record Listening Club ! What does your club do? We are going to get together, listen to, and discuss vinyl records! We’ll have a different theme or aspect of music we’re looking at each month. Attendees can bring their own records… continue reading Now Spinning: Join the Vinyl Record Listening Club

By written by Jane L.    May 19, 2025    2  

• Events at the Library
• Music
• Parkway Central
• Community

Primary Election Day is  Tuesday, May 20, 2025 , and 32 of our neighborhood libraries will serve as designated voting locations. Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Remember: anyone in line by 8:00 p.m. can vote — so stay in line! Most Library voting locations will also provide patron services on… continue reading 32 Libraries Will Serve As Polling Places for the May 20, 2025 Primary Election

By written by Administrator    May 14, 2025   

• Politics
• Neighborhood Libraries
• Voting and Elections

Don’t miss this chance to connect and learn about exciting job opportunities! Join us at the Kingsessing Library  on Wednesday, May 21 , from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.  for a fantastic opportunity to explore job openings from various employers. This in-person event is your chance to meet potential employers face-to-face,… continue reading Southwest Philly Job Fair on May 21 at Kingsessing Library

By written by Shelley R.    May 7, 2025    2  

• Events at the Library
• Careers
• Job Fairs
• Neighborhood Libraries
• Job Seekers

Have you ever thought about working for the City of Philadelphia, but don’t know where to begin, thought you had to know someone to be considered, or didn’t think you would qualify?  Join the City of Philadelphia’s  Office of Human Resources  (OHR) for an upcoming information session to learn more about civil… continue reading Start Your Career with the City of Philadelphia!

By written by Administrator    May 7, 2025    2  

• Events at the Library
• Careers
• Neighborhood Libraries
• Job Seekers

The Free Library now offers blood pressure monitoring cuffs for loan at select neighborhood library locations ! High blood pressure is known as hypertension. It can cause serious issues in your health, such as vision loss, stroke, heart attack, kidney disease, and more. When you continuously have high blood pressure, it starts to damage your… continue reading Now Available: Blood Pressure Monitors for Loan at Select Libraries

By written by Tuesday C.    May 6, 2025    1  

• Catalog
• Health
• Neighborhood Libraries
• Library Resources

Are you a student in (or entering) high school 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 2025–2026 Youth Poet Laureate! The Youth Poet Laureate of Philadelphia… continue reading Apply to Become Philadelphia’s Next Youth Poet Laureate!

By written by Administrator    May 1, 2025    1  

• Poetry
• Philadelphia Poet Laureate

On Friday, May 30, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. , Parkway Central Library 's Field Teen Center will host their Second Annual Alternative Prom ! This year's theme is Spellbound: A Night in the Enchanted Forest . Get ready for an unforgettable night filled with magic, music, and memories! Teens ages 12–18 are invited to enjoy an enchanted… continue reading Get Spellbound at the Field Teen Center’s 2025 Alternative Prom!

By written by Bridget G.    April 28, 2025    1  

• Events at the Library
• Music
• Parkway Central
• Teens
• Dance

There are lots of new titles for all ages to explore this spring at the Free Library of Philadelphia! Young Children (up to 2nd Grade) Little Bird Laila by Kelly Yang Laila knows how clever, kind, and funny her Mama and Baba are — but sometimes they need her help translating things from English. With English classes being too expensive,… continue reading New Titles Coming to the Free Library in May

By written by Rachel F.    April 28, 2025   

• Recommendations
• Catalog
• Monthly New Titles
• New Titles

This spring and summer, the Free Library is buzzing with opportunities to connect with nature, dig into gardening, and explore the great outdoors — no special gear or experience required! From borrowing a fully stocked Birding Backpack to joining expert-led bird walks in city parks, it's easy (and free!) to enjoy nature… continue reading Experience Nature in the City at Your Library!

By written by Bridget G.    April 25, 2025   

• Events at the Library
• Environment
• Family Programs
• Neighborhood Libraries
• Nature

The  Business Resource and Innovation Center  is proud to welcome award-winning inventor, author, entrepreneur, and Philadelphia native  Andrea Rose  to the Free Library of Philadelphia on Saturday, May 3, at 1:30 p.m.  for a free presentation of her  Inventing to Win® workshop ! If you are an inventor or… continue reading Learn from Award-Winning Inventor Andrea Rose with Inventing to Win® Workshop

By written by Jordan C.    April 23, 2025   

• Events at the Library
• Parkway Central
• Patent and Trademark
• Business Resource and Innovation Center
• Business