Summer might look a bit different this year, but the Library’s resources are here to stay. Between the 100th anniversary of   Summer of Wonder , virtual Pride programming , and digital Author Events , there is so much to do online at the Free Library this summer! In the spirit of celebrating all things digital at the Library, the… continue reading Ravens on the Laptop: A Virtual Summer Celebration with the Raven Society!

By written by Laura K.    June 22, 2020   

• Virtual Programs

The Summer of Wonder continues as next week we are highlighting all of our great Pride month virtual programming! Also, we've updated our Summer Camp Challenge page with a video playlist for training resources and information to add literacy-rich activities into your camp and group programs this summer! Join us on Facebook for Week Three,… continue reading Summer of Wonder – Week Four: Healthy Sexuality Workshops, Queer Authors and Playwrights, Drag Queen Storytimes, and Virtual Museum Tours!

By written by Emily S.    June 18, 2020   

• Childrens Programs
• Family Programs
• Teens
• Summer Reading
• Summer
• Free Library of Pride
• Adult Learning
• Virtual Programs

On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger of the Union Army arrived in Galveston, Texas, and he had an announcement to make. More than two years before, President Abraham Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation. The Civil War had ended, and freedom from slavery, though not yet signed into law with the 13th Amendment , was the de… continue reading Juneteenth Matters

By written by Kalela W.    June 18, 2020    1  

• Holidays
• African American
• Black Lives Matter

Philadelphia's Mayor Kenney has declared Friday, June 19, 2020 a City holiday in recognition of Juneteenth! Juneteenth is the most popular annual celebration of Emancipation, and commemorates June 19, 1865, the date when Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas to ensure that slaves were freed in accordance with the Emancipation… continue reading Picture ebook Highlights | Celebrating Juneteenth!

By written by Monica C.    June 18, 2020   

• Holidays
• African American
• Childrens Books
• Recommendations
• Black Lives Matter

What are your plans for Father’s Day this year? Even if you’re not able to be out and about, there is something you can do right at home – cozy up and share a good book together! Celebrate as a family with these fun picture ebooks:         Hike by Pete Oswald Take to the trails for a… continue reading Stories to Share for Father's Day

By written by Monica C.    June 17, 2020   

• Ebooks
• Holidays
• Reading
• Childrens Books
• Recommendations

In addition to offering patrons ever-growing Digital Collections , dozens of research databases , and a rich variety of genealogic resources , the Free Library and the Special Collections Division deliver an exceptional customer experience by digging a little deeper into our archives for special requests. Late in 2019, we received the following… continue reading Finding "Nonno"

By written by Fleisher Collection    June 17, 2020   

• Archives
• Fleisher Collection
• Genealogy
• Special Collections
• Teachers
• History of Philadelphia

Edible Alphabet is a free English Language Learning (ELL) program offered by the Free Library's Culinary Literacy Center . The mission is to teach English language and literacy skills through hands-on cooking projects. While Free Library locations remain closed to the public in the interest of public health and safety , we will be sharing… continue reading Edible Alphabet Recipe of the Week: Korean Noodle Salad (Japchae)

By written by Lindsay S.    June 16, 2020    1  

• Digital Collections
• Languages
• Digital Media
• Culinary Literacy
• Recipes
• Digital Learning
• English Language Learners
• Languages and Learning

Hello library world friends! You have no idea how much we miss you and how much we miss recommending titles for you and your children! On the subject of recommendations, I have a few for kids who want to hear all-new stories of inclusion and love with their magic! Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi Twelve-year-old Aru Shah has a… continue reading All of the Magic, None of the Hate

By written by Rachel F.    June 15, 2020    1  

• Childrens Books
• Recommendations
• YA Literature

Today's the day: Artemis Fowl takes the leap from book to screen as Disney+ premiere's the sci-fi-fantasy-world-spy-kid-action-adventure-YA film adaptation! Directed by Kenneth Branagh (yup, that Kenneth Branagh !) and starring Ferdia Shaw , Lara McDonnell , Josh Gad , Dame Judi Dench , and Colin Farrell , author Eoin Colfer 's… continue reading Artemis Fowl—from Book to Screen

By written by Peter SM    June 12, 2020    2  

• Film
• YA Literature
• Pop Culture
• Adaptations

Today marks the last day of classes for School District of Philadelphia teachers and students and the beginning of summer break! It's been a challenging school year, to say the least, so let's celebrate with some fun activities as we continue our Summer of Wonder ! Join us on Facebook for Week Three, June 15 - 19! Monday: Imagination… continue reading Summer of Wonder – Week Three: Virtual Concerts, Therapy Dog Storytimes, Summer Crafts, and Juneteenth Celebration!

By written by Emily S.    June 12, 2020   

• Childrens Programs
• Teens
• Summer Reading
• Digital Media
• Summer
• Adult Learning
• Virtual Programs

We are back with another Picture ebook Highlights , a series where we put the spotlight on an ebook that you can read at home, using the Free Library's Digital Media portal. And this one is a winner: It’s Click, Clack, Moo, Cows That Type , written by Doreen Cronin and Illustrated by Betsy Lewin . This year marks the book's 20th… continue reading Picture ebooks Highlights | Click, Clack, Moo, Cows That Type

By written by Monica C.    June 11, 2020    1  

• Ebooks
• Childrens Books
• Recommendations
• Picture Book Highlights

I never would have pegged myself as someone who wanted to read about "the sports", but there are some sweet and dramatic comics and graphic novels that have changed my mind about that in the past few years. If you too are reluctant to read about the sportsball or sportsing, if you will, allow me to tempt you to change your mind with a… continue reading Queer Comics About Sports!

By written by Rachel F.    June 10, 2020   

• LGBTQ
• YA Literature
• Comics and Graphic Novels
• Sports
• Free Library of Pride

May we suggest some fun fiction and inspiring memoirs that we've recently added to our collection? Enjoy! Young Children (Up to 2nd Grade) I Am Perfectly Designed written by Karamo Brown and Jason "Rachel" Brown; illustrated by Anoosha Syed ebook available via Overdrive In this empowering ode to modern families, a boy and his… continue reading New Titles Coming to the Free Library in June!

By written by Paul A.    June 10, 2020   

• Ebooks
• Recommendations
• New Titles

Attending video meetings has become a necessity for many of us these days while working from home, taking an online class, or keeping in touch with friends and family. Zoom is a popular web conferencing software platform for online meetings that you might need to use. The Free Library has several databases that provide instruction on how to use… continue reading Tutorials for Learning How to Use Zoom Video Conferencing Software

By written by Phil K.    June 9, 2020    1  

• Databases
• Digital Literacy
• Online Learning
• Digital Learning

Edible Alphabet is a free English Language Learning (ELL) program offered by the Free Library's Culinary Literacy Center. The mission is to teach English language and literacy skills through hands-on cooking projects. While Free Library locations remain closed to the public in the interest of public health and safety , we will be sharing… continue reading Edible Alphabet Recipe of the Week: Pasta Primavera

By written by Lindsay S.    June 9, 2020    1  

• Ebooks
• Gardening
• Digital Media
• Culinary Literacy
• Recipes
• Digital Learning
• English Language Learners
• Languages and Learning

You can still participate in Pride Month even if you cannot go to a pride parade. There are even ways of participating that avoid pinkwashing or whitewashing of the pride movement. While PRIDE may seem like the furthest thing from your present-day reality, there is a lot of history that is salient to your current reality. For instance, you may… continue reading Add These Books by Young LGBQTIA Authors to Your Pride Reading List!

By written by Hannah B.    June 8, 2020   

• LGBTQ
• Recommendations
• Free Library of Pride

Original blog post by Symbol Lai, Office of Immigrant Affairs, posted on May 29, 2020   National Immigrant Heritage Month is back — and not a moment too soon. Faced with a global pandemic, unprecedented shutdowns, and uncertainties everywhere, 2020 is a difficult year. We are overdue for connection. Started in 2014, Immigrant… continue reading Celebrate Immigrant Heritage Month!

By written by Administrator    June 8, 2020   

• New Americans
• Community

There may be no better way to dress your salad than with a healthy, homemade vinaigrette! While choosing a salad may seem like an inherently nutritious option (and it often is!), adding the wrong dressing can drown out the health benefits. Many times store-bought, prepackaged salad dressings are high in saturated fat and may contain cheeses and… continue reading Salad Science: Make a Simple Vinaigrette!

By written by Caity R.    June 5, 2020    1  

• Ebooks
• Culinary Literacy
• Health

The first week of Summer of Wonder has already flown by! Join us on Facebook for Week Two, June 8 through 12! Mondays: Imagination Station Share your feelings with the world by designing and making emoji charm bracelets and keychains. Tuesdays: Question Connection Use recycled materials and everyday household objects to build towers and… continue reading Summer of Wonder – Week Two: Maker Crafts, Animation, Storytimes, Trivia, and Yoga!

By written by Emily S.    June 5, 2020   

• Childrens Programs
• Teens
• Summer Reading
• Summer
• Adult Learning
• Virtual Programs

We are back with another Picture ebook Highlight , a series where we put the spotlight on an ebook that you can read at home, using the Free Library's Digital Media portal. This time our selection is Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star by Jane Cabrera . All around the world, from the sleeping city to the icy pole, baby animals and their parents… continue reading Picture ebooks Highlights | Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

By written by Monica C.    June 4, 2020   

• Ebooks
• Childrens Books
• Recommendations
• Picture Book Highlights