This July we are celebrating America, we’re making wishes, we’re gaming, we’re walking the red carpet, we’re learning about the relationship between plants and brains, and we’re exploring race and policing—a little something for everyone in the following recommendations of new titles! Young Children… continue reading New Titles Coming to the Free Library in July!
By written by Rachel F. July 6, 2021
Over the past year and a half, Free Library staff worked hard every day to bring virtual events right to your living room while our library buildings remained closed due to the pandemic... but did you know we recently added outdoor in-person event offerings to our schedule? That's right—from storytimes to yoga… continue reading Enjoy Free Library Outdoor Events This Summer!
By written by Kate C. July 6, 2021
by Labonno Islam (Digital Engagement & Communications Specialist) and Juliet Fink-Yates (Digital Inclusion Fellow), City of Philadelphia Office of Innovation and Technology The City of Philadelphia recognizes that access to the internet will remain critical for families and individuals as we begin to recover from the pandemic.… continue reading Get Connected to These Free Internet Access Programs and Resources!
By written by Administrator July 2, 2021 7
You got some change? Bring it out Don’t just stand there Playing a poor man’s game Change jingles in your pocket Like the dangling shackles Stuck in my ear, hurting my soul — from “Jukebox,” by Andre’a Rhoads, 2021-2022 Philadelphia Youth Poet Laureate The Free Library of Philadelphia is delighted to announce… continue reading Andre’a Rhoads Named the 2021-2022 Philadelphia Youth Poet Laureate
By written by Administrator July 1, 2021 2
What is it like to be a tree? Trees grow tall and strong, they create shade and provide protection, they connect to the world and to each other, offering us food and comfort. Can we be like trees? Can a tree be a special and unique friend? The books below might have the answer! Be a Tree! written by Maria Gianferrari; illustrated by… continue reading Picture Book Highlights | Trees
By written by Monica C. June 30, 2021
by Breshay Woods, Culinary Literacy Center Intern Edible Alphabet is a free English Language Learning (ELL) program offered by the Free Library's Culinary Literacy Center . Our mission is to teach English language and literacy skills through hands-on cooking projects. For the time being, all Edible Alphabet classes… continue reading Edible Alphabet Recipe of the Week: Black Bean Burgers
By written by Lindsay S. June 29, 2021
The City of Philadelphia has declared a Heat Health Emergency beginning at 8:00 a.m. tomorrow, Tuesday, June 29. It will remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, June 30, or longer if conditions merit an extension. Seven neighborhood library locations will serve as designated cooling centers with extended… continue reading Seven Free Library Locations to Serve as Cooling Centers During Heat Health Emergency
By written by Jenn D. June 28, 2021 2
During Immigrant Heritage Month, we celebrate the history, culture, and contributions of those who have immigrated to the United States and their descendants. As Guerline Jozef explains , "I look around me, and I only see three very distinct groups of people in America. I see the Native Americans. I see the descendants of slaves who were… continue reading Staff Spotlight on Jade Cintron Baez | Immigrant Heritage Month
By written by Emily S. June 28, 2021
Between Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Fourth of July, block parties, and—let’s be honest—any day with decent weather, Philadelphia loves a cookout. With so many opportunities this summer to come together outdoors, it’s a perfect time to diversify your menus and improve your diet with some new dishes. Besides being versatile,… continue reading What’s Cooking, Grilladelphia?!
By written by Lane June 25, 2021 1
Join the Adult Literacy Book Club, presented by the Free Library's Languages and Learning Center and Beyond Literacy . Improve your reading skills while reading and discussing interesting books! Don't always have a lot of time to read? No problem. The club only covers a few chapters at each meeting so you will have plenty of time to… continue reading The Adult Literacy Book Club's Latest Book Selection
By written by Phil K. June 24, 2021
And we are back to my favorite season of the year ! There’s so much to do when the weather is warm, when sunshine lasts long through the day, and there’s all kinds of things to be done outside: playing, exploring, swimming, camping, and hiking—or just going for a nice walk and sitting down under a tree to read a book. Here are… continue reading Picture Books Highlights | Summer=Outdoors!
By written by Monica C. June 24, 2021
If you have been to the Lovett Memorial Library recently, you have likely seen the Black Lives Matter book walk prominently displayed in its park. The idea came from Lisa Browne of Colorful Stories . Following the racial justice movements last summer, Browne wrote a short story that developed into her idea to create a book walk that children… continue reading Lovett Library's Book Walk Continues the Conversation on Race
By written by Dana G. June 23, 2021 2
Want to help the City of Philadelphia close the digital divide and assist residents with affordable internet access? All you have to do is pick up your phone! The Philadelphia Household Internet Assessment is a one-month-long survey that will collect information on how people view available internet options and barriers to internet… continue reading Support Digital Equity by Taking the Philadelphia Household Internet Assessment Survey
By written by Administrator June 22, 2021 1
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 12 librarians in this… continue reading We're Hiring Librarians!
By written by Jenn D. June 22, 2021 6
by Erin H . and Kayla H. What does it feel like to be a child living through war and displacement? How can young people in the United States learn to develop empathy for young people around the world? How do we explain to our children what they see or hear on the news? Reading literature is a powerful way for parents and other caring adults to… continue reading Palestinian Stories in Literature for Young People
By written by Administrator June 21, 2021 9
African American Independence Day, widely referred to as Juneteenth, originated in Galveston, Texas in 1865. Though the Emancipation Proclamation, issued in 1863, freed millions of slaves in confederate states, African Americans in Texas were not informed until June 19, 1865. Upon hearing the news, former slaves celebrated with prayer,… continue reading Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom and Cuisine
By written by Naquawna L. June 18, 2021 1
This blog post was written by Jeanette Coppinger, Digital Resource Specialist for Lovett Memorial Library. Jeanette was a member of Cohort 10 of the Skills for Community-Centered Libraries training program. The timing of my cohort for the Skills for Community-Centered Libraries training could not have been more unusual. In March 2020, I was a… continue reading Exploring the Neighborhood: Virtual Adventures in Community Asset Mapping
By written by Community-Centered Libraries June 17, 2021
June is Pride Month and the Free Library’s Author Events series has an extensive archive of podcasts and videos to help you celebrate a diverse range of writers working in politics, fiction, health and fitness, literary fiction, poetry, religion, and much more. Before we look back at some of our previous authors, check out these upcoming… continue reading Author Events Celebrates Pride Month
By written by Author Events June 16, 2021
Here are five ebook and audiobook titles about identity, acceptance, love, and loss to consider this month as we celebrate those journeys with our friends, families, and ourselves. King and the Dragonflies by Kacen Callander (Ages 8-12) An intense tale of love, loss, and friendship as a young man struggles to realize his dreams and find… continue reading LGBTQ+ Middle Grade and YA ebooks and Audiobooks
By written by Jeff B. June 16, 2021
Effective June 30, 2021, we will no longer be offering Kanopy and Hoopla services to our patrons. Instead, the Free Library will use the funding for those subscriptions to support our collections of physical materials in neighborhood libraries . While we know this is disappointing to Kanopy and Hoopla users, we will continue to offer… continue reading Kanopy and Hoopla Access Ends June 30, 2021
By written by Tara M. June 15, 2021 82
