May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month! You can celebrate the heritage, contributions, and writing of these diverse peoples through the Free Library’s Author Events Series. Here’s a compilation of ten authors we’ve welcomed over the years, but this is by no means a complete list. Head over to the Author Events podcast… continue reading Asian Pacific American Authors and Voices: Podcasts from the Author Events Archive

By written by Author Events    May 21, 2021   

• Author Events

The Hugo Awards are science fiction’s most prestigious prize. Books (and other media) nominated for a Hugo are always a stellar read, and you can read (and watch!) many of 2021's Hugo Award nominees for free through the Free Library! In some categories, many of the nominees are available to read for free online through their… continue reading Hugo Award Nominees Announced for 2021

By written by Shelley R.    May 20, 2021   

• Awards
• Recommendations
• Sci Fi

Have you been thinking about returning to school to obtain your high school diploma? Whether you want to qualify for a higher-paying job, get a promotion, continue your education, or simply fulfill a personal goal— Essential Education may be the platform for you! Take online, self-paced courses that give you personalized… continue reading Take a GED® or HiSET® Preparation Course with the Free Library

By written by Rachel H.    May 19, 2021    5  

• Databases
• School
• Online Learning
• Back To School
• Digital Learning
• Adult Learning
• Languages and Learning

Throughout the  Skills for Community-Centered Libraries initiative , we have shared experiences from our seven pilot sites as they tested the training series in their own libraries. We were thrilled that our partners in San Francisco and Halifax, Nova Scotia were able to deliver the workshops in their entirety before COVID-19 forced… continue reading A Final Update from Our Skills for Community-Centered Libraries National Partners

By written by Community-Centered Libraries    May 18, 2021   

• Community
• IMLS

In the month of May, we honor Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month , celebrating the history, culture, and contributions of the diverse Americans who belong to communities with ancestry in Asia, Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, and the Pacific Islands. That’s a lot of different countries, cultures, and… continue reading Honor Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with Your Family

By written by Emily S.    May 17, 2021    1  

• Childrens Programs
• Family Programs
• Holidays
• Recommendations

Read, Baby, Read is a Free Library initiative focused on encouraging early literacy development among infants and young toddlers under two years old. We work with 12 participating libraries across Philadelphia to reach caregivers of all ages, providing resources that support early literacy skills, language development, and purposeful play. In… continue reading Read, Baby, Read Presents Early Literacy Ideas: Water!

By written by Sarah J.    May 14, 2021   

• Childrens Programs
• Family Programs
• Childrens Books
• Early Literacy
• Read Baby Read

I always wanted to explore creative writing! It’s fascinating to understand what tools and mechanisms writers use to craft a story or a poem. Creating with words is an amazing and fun experience! The pandemic gave me the opportunity to explore myself with art and craft stories of resilience and wonder. What's creative writing Dana… continue reading Creative Writing: Discovering Your Inner Voice

By written by Mary Marques    May 13, 2021    3  

• Databases
• Recommendations
• Poetry
• Writing
• Literature

by Kait P. with meaningful contributions by Chrissy D. It's Alright to Cry!  Have you ever wondered why onions make you cry? When was the last time you shed some tears while just trying to make dinner? Onions contain a chemical called syn-Propanethial S-oxide  that can turn to gas and trigger tears! You can try to prevent… continue reading Nourishing Literacy | Cooking with Onions: Multi-Layered!

By written by Shayna M.    May 12, 2021   

• Printmaking
• Culinary Literacy
• Recipes
• Cooking
• Community

When Frank Stephens, Jr., passed away in March at the age of 89, many mourned the loss of a friend and colleague. Others were hearing about Frank for the first time. And it was an opportunity for all of us at the Free Library to learn more about his important work and a legacy that has shaped our institution for decades. Frank Stephens, Jr.,… continue reading Frank Stephens, Jr.: A Free Library Legacy

By written by Administrator    May 11, 2021    3  

• Exhibitions
• Archives
• Art
• Free Library Staff
• Children's Literature Research Collection
• Departments
• History
• Print and Picture Collection
• Photography
• Black Histories of Philadelphia

The Free Library's Culinary Literacy Center is excited to bring back A Taste of Latin American Heritage , a workshop produced by Oldways , this upcoming spring! These recipes honor and celebrate the Latin American diaspora of the Americas and Caribbean. Influenced by the Spanish and Portuguese conquisition, these recipes are historically… continue reading Celebrate Latin American Cuisine and Heritage This Spring!

By written by Valentín S.    May 10, 2021   

• Community Events
• Culinary Literacy
• Healthy Communities

As part of our ongoing series  of blog posts highlighting our awesome staff throughout the Free Library of Philadelphia, today we take some time to speak with Mary Westbrook, a children's librarian at the Parkway Central Library . Fondly known as "Miss Mary," around the building and on her virtual storytimes… continue reading Meet Your Library Staff: Mary Westbrook - Children's Librarian

By written by Kate C.    May 7, 2021   

• Childrens Programs
• Free Library Staff
• Parkway Central
• Childrens Books

Mother's Day is coming up this Sunday, and what better way to celebrate either in person or virtually, from near or far, than with a great picture book? Celebrate the ones you love with these titles available at the Free Library! Me and Mama by Cozbi A. Cabrera On a rainy day when the house smells like cinnamon and Papa and Luca are still… continue reading Picture Book Highlights | Mother’s Day

By written by Monica C.    May 7, 2021   

• Holidays
• Childrens Books
• Recommendations
• Picture Book Highlights

This May we have a little something for everyone: we're honoring mothers with a fun and unusual picture book, celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in our middle grade, teen and adult choices, and then going straight to thrillers for our movie selection. Young Children (up to 2nd Grade)   Your Mama written by… continue reading New Titles Coming to the Free Library in May!

By written by Rachel F.    May 6, 2021   

• Recommendations
• Monthly New Titles
• New Titles

Do you have a young scientist at home? An endless Lego tower builder or a spaceship dreamer? A robot creator or future climate-change solver? Sign up for a new virtual summertime science adventure with The Franklin Institute . This year, curious young minds will have the chance to Be An Engineer . This program is designed for children ages… continue reading Add Some Science to Your Summer with the Franklin Institute

By written by Emily S.    May 6, 2021   

• Childrens Programs
• Family Programs
• Science
• Summer

Have you experienced job disruption over the past year? Do you feel stuck in a low-paying job? Are you wanting a new or better employment situation? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then Philly Career Launch is for you! The Free Library is pleased to announce a new set of tools, resources, and programming for job… continue reading Exciting News for Job Seekers: Announcing Philly Career Launch

By written by Administrator    May 5, 2021    2  

• Job Seekers
• Philly Career Launch

Today, fans across the world celebrate Star Wars Day ! We were first introduced to George Lucas' Star Wars universe in 1977 (later retitled Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope ) and since then the galactic characters and their fans have been a strong force, especially within this galaxy. As a fan myself, I will be celebrating Star Wars Day… continue reading May the 4th Be With You!

By written by Tuesday C.    May 4, 2021   

• Pop Culture

The primary election is coming up on Tuesday, May 18, and many of our  neighborhood libraries  will again serve as designated voting locations. These libraries will be closed for library services and will be open only for voting. 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.… continue reading 37 Free Library Locations to Serve as Polling Places for May 18 Primary Election

By written by Kate C.    May 3, 2021   

• Neighborhood Libraries
• Voting and Elections

Happy Children's Book Week ! Established in 1919, Children's Book Week is an annual celebration of children's books and reading, and is the longest-running national literacy initiative in the country! Now celebrating its 101st anniversary, the program includes over 1,300 participating schools, libraries, and bookstores in… continue reading Children's Book Week | Miss Mary Loves This Book! (And This One, and This One, and This One, and This One...!)

By written by Mary W.    May 3, 2021    1  

• Free Library Staff
• Childrens Books

May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month ! As part of the celebration, let’s 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.   Eyes That… continue reading Picture Books Highlights | Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

By written by Monica C.    April 30, 2021   

• Childrens Books
• Recommendations
• Picture Book Highlights

The Free Library of Philadelphia has begun actively seeking candidates for its new President and Director. The search process is being conducted by a 22-member Search Committee, with assistance from executive search firm Isaacson, Miller. "The Search Committee is committed to a process that is inclusive of staff and stakeholders who care… continue reading The Free Library Launches Search for New Director

By written by Administrator    April 29, 2021   

• Board of Trustees