Many students, parents, caregivers, and teachers are wondering what the upcoming school year is going to look like. The Free Library is here to help you!   Back to School Basics The first day of classes for Philadelphia School District students is Tuesday, August 31! The district is currently planning for in-person classes this year. Visit… continue reading Back to School Resources for Students, Families, and Teachers

By written by Emily S.    August 23, 2021   

• Childrens Programs
• Databases
• Teens
• Back To School
• Digital Learning
• Library Resources
• Virtual Programs

Mashed, chopped, whole, frozen, fresh, or dried—bananas are a whole food that are nutritious to eat and flexible to use in cooking! This snack is made with just two ingredients, banana, and lemon! With a small amount of preparation and a little bit of patience, you will achieve a chewy snack that is only made from whole foods! Banana… continue reading Nourishing Literacy | That's Bananas!

By written by Shayna M.    August 20, 2021   

• Culinary Literacy

Jashn-e-Azadi Mubarak! Happy Independence Day! This past Saturday, August 14, was Pakistan’s Independence Day. Formed in 1947, Pakistan celebrated 74 years of its independence and freedom from British colonialism and the formation of Pakistan as a new country. Pakistan is a country of many different cultures and traditions. There are… continue reading Celebrating Pakistan's Independence Day with Music, Film, and Literature!

By written by Inaara S.    August 18, 2021    3  

• Holidays
• Music
• Film
• History
• Literature
• Diversity Equity and Inclusion

Sunday Fundays, a program series of stories and songs featuring mindfulness, meditation, and movement in celebration of Jewish culture, is a partnership between Folkshul and the Free Library. Children ages infant to 5 and their caregivers are invited to join us in Shakespeare Park on Sunday, August 22 at 10:30 a.m. The program is led by Ms.… continue reading Sunday Funday Yoga Storytime with Folkshul

By written by Becky S.    August 17, 2021   

• Childrens Programs
• Culinary Literacy
• Summer

by Lillian B. and Jake T. Afraid of shots or needles? Have questions about protecting your health? Get excited to learn with us this National Immunization Awareness Month ! Primarily, immunizations are most effective when given to us as children, since our bodies do not have all the necessary antibodies and cells to fight back against all… continue reading It’s National Immunization Awareness Month!

By written by Administrator    August 16, 2021   

• Science
• Health
• Neighborhood Libraries
• History of Philadelphia

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Free Comic Book Day ! The all-ages event was founded in 2001 to encourage both curious, first-time comic book readers and seasoned comic book fans alike, offering a huge selection of free titles throughout comic book shops across North America , designed to appeal to a broad range of age levels and… continue reading The Return of Free Comic Book Day!

By written by Peter SM    August 13, 2021   

• Reading
• Recommendations
• Comics and Graphic Novels
• Pop Culture

The ongoing pandemic has elevated stress levels, anxiety, uncertainty, depression, and loneliness within our communities. So what if we took a moment to reflect on self-care? Members of the Culinary Literacy Center 's Healthy Communities and Nourishing Literacy programs came together to share best practices of self-care and mindfulness… continue reading Join Us in Joyful Acts of Mindfulness: In Joy, Take Care

By written by Valentín S.    August 12, 2021   

• Self Help
• Self Care
• Healthy Communities

The Nourishing Literacy team and friends have created color-coded spice blends for our Rainbow Pantry. What colorful spices do you enjoy using?   Black Spice Blend Toni created a black spice blend that she recommends using to create flavorful crackers from scratch . This spice blend would also work well added to a crust for fish or… continue reading Nourishing Literacy | The Rainbow Pantry: Spice Blends!

By written by Shayna M.    August 11, 2021   

• School
• Culinary Literacy
• Recipes
• Cooking
• DIY

The City of Philadelphia has declared a Heat Health Emergency beginning at 12:00 p.m. today, Wednesday, August 11. It will remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, August 13, or longer if conditions merit an extension. Residents can get out of the heat and into an air-conditioned space at a neighborhood library with… continue reading Cooling Centers Open at Select Neighborhood Libraries Wednesday, August 11 Through Friday, August 13 During the Heat Wave

By written by Administrator    August 11, 2021   

• Cooling Centers
• Neighborhood Libraries

Last year, the Free Library put out a contest call for artwork from high school students. Deyania Sanders’ art teacher encouraged her to submit her designs and she was selected to be our Summer of Wonder artist! You’ve seen her lively, Philadelphia-inspired artwork on posters, flyers, and summer game boards across the city and… continue reading An Update from Our Summer of Wonder Teen Artist Deyania Sanders

By written by Emily S.    August 10, 2021   

• Art
• Teens
• Summer Reading

In honor of  Book Lovers Day , our staff shared what a perfect day of reading looks like to them, and we're inspired! Here's to a marvelous day of celebrating our favorite pastime and the books we love! "I am an indoor bookworm, so I have a number of different reading spots at my apartment. This (pictured) has been a… continue reading Happy Book Lovers Day!

By written by Kate C.    August 9, 2021   

• Free Library Staff
• Holidays
• Reading
• Recommendations

Beans bring a lot to the table! Taste, color, and flavor are among their positive qualities. They add nutrition to meals, containing protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. These burgers in the following recipe can be eaten on a bun, on bread, in a tortilla, or wrapped in a lettuce leaf. What seasonings and toppings do you like to put on your… continue reading Nourishing Literacy | How Have You Bean?

By written by Shayna M.    August 6, 2021   

• Culinary Literacy
• Recipes
• Summer

What do you get when a secret government agency assembles an equally secret team of supervillains and anti-heroes to fight against a worldwide threat? Sounds like a mission for The Suicide Squad ! Consisting of an assassin with a grudge ( Idris Elba as Bloodsport ), a rogue obsessed with polka dots ( David Dastmalchian as Polka-Dot Man ), an… continue reading The Suicide Squad are Dying to Save the World

By written by Peter SM    August 5, 2021   

• Film
• Comics and Graphic Novels
• Pop Culture

Philadelphia residents recently got their bodies moving through two exciting community partnerships with the Free Library's Culinary Literacy Center's Healthy Communities programming! While about half the classes offered by the Culinary Literacy Center revolve around plant-based culinary recipes and cooking classes (which is where we… continue reading Body Connections: It Starts with You!

By written by Valentín S.    August 4, 2021   

• Culinary Literacy
• Healthy Communities

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) Bodies Are Cool by Tyler Feder This cheerful, love-your-body picture book for preschoolers is an exuberant read-aloud with bright and friendly illustrations to pore over.… continue reading New Titles Coming to the Free Library in August!

By written by Rachel F.    August 3, 2021   

• Recommendations
• Monthly New Titles

The Parkway Central Children’s Department has been having loads of fun in the sun this summer, with outdoor programming in Shakespeare Park, including storytimes on weekday mornings and special guests joining us for exciting events on selected afternoons and weekends! We started out the summer with a visit from Stephany Coakley , author… continue reading I Love My Curls Author Janay Anderson Closes Out Summer of Wonder 2021

By written by Becky S.    August 2, 2021   

• Childrens Programs
• Summer Reading

August is  Family Fun Month , and we think the Free Library is the perfect place to celebrate! Whether you're looking for outdoor in-person or virtual events or suggestions for at-home activities to do on your own schedule, the Free Library has you covered when it comes to making memories with the whole family!   Attend… continue reading It's Family Fun Month!

By written by Kate C.    August 2, 2021   

• Childrens Programs
• Family Programs
• Teens
• Library Card
• Library Resources

Tomatoes are available in different sizes and colors—canned, dried, powdered, juiced, sauced, or fresh—and can be found in many different recipes and preparations. The tomatoes in the following dish are smashed with hands, without the use of any sharp tools. If preferred, a knife could be used to chop the tomatoes into small pieces.… continue reading Nourishing Literacy | Talking About Tomatoes!

By written by Shayna M.    July 30, 2021   

• Culinary Literacy
• Recipes
• Summer

What does summer time make you think of? There are as many responses to that question as there are fireflies on a drowsy summer evening, but one of the first things I think of when it comes to summer is… PIE! Sweet pies made with blueberries, raspberries, or apple; savory pies made with meats and cheeses — all delicious. And pie… continue reading Pie High Summer!

By written by Jeff B.    July 29, 2021   

• Recommendations
• Summer

by Mishelle Mironov, Intern, Languages & Learning Center Have you always wanted to make a difference in someone’s life? Have you wanted to use your knowledge and experience to give back to the Philadelphia community? Then consider becoming a tutor with the Free Library of Philadelphia! As a library tutor, you can make a change in… continue reading Become a Tutor for Adult Learners

By written by Rachel H.    July 28, 2021   

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