Are you a creative, engaged student who is passionate about writing, reading, performing, and experiencing poetry? Are you equally passionate about working with your peers and other students to do the same? If so, apply to become our next Youth Poet Laureate! The Youth Poet Laureate of Philadelphia serves as a leader in our city’s young… continue reading Philadelphia is Looking for Its Next Youth Poet Laureate

By written by Autumn M.    May 11, 2020   

• Teens
• Poetry
• Philadelphia Poet Laureate

We're reviving our monthly blog post to highlight new titles at the Free Library, with the emphasis on featured ebooks or audiobook titles that we have recently been added to our online collections. We will try to have both ebook and audiobook copies for these titles, when possible. These newly added titles will be available via Overdrive ,… continue reading New Titles Coming to the Free Library in May!

By written by Paul A.    May 11, 2020   

• Ebooks
• Recommendations
• Digital Media
• Audiobooks
• New Titles

Although most of us will be staying home this Mother’s Day, what better way to celebrate than by enjoying breakfast in bed and cuddling up to share stories with the ones we love? The Overdrive Kid’s eReading Room has great options for stories about moms and caregivers. Here are a few picture books that adults and kids will love to… continue reading Stories to Share for Mother's Day

By written by Leigh U.    May 8, 2020   

• Ebooks
• Holidays
• Reading
• Childrens Books
• Recommendations

We are big fans of teachers here at the Free Library! From class visits , helping plan lessons, and reading suggestions to participating in professional development opportunities for educators—teachers and librarians have a natural partnership. We would be remiss to let an opportunity to acknowledge and thank them for the hard work they… continue reading Raise Your Hand for Teacher Appreciation Week!

By written by Jennifer E.    May 8, 2020   

• School
• Teachers

There’s no doubt that this pandemic has turned all of our lives upside down. For those of us with young kids, it means interrupted routines and the increased need for at-home stimulation and entertainment. My daughter Yuri is a cheerful and energetic 8-month-old. Her personality is blossoming and she’s becoming increasingly mobile.… continue reading Shake Things Up with Baby at Home!

By written by Leigh U.    May 7, 2020   

• Childrens Programs
• Ebooks
• Childrens Books
• Literacy
• Storytime
• Virtual Programs

Philadelphia teachers have been tasked with teaching digitally during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Philadelphia School District has embraced Google Classroom for this switch. Online platforms now serve a critical role in our children’s education and teachers are having to adapt fast. Planned instruction is set to resume from May 4 to… continue reading Supporting Teachers Using Google Classrooms

By written by Lu F.    May 7, 2020   

• School
• Digital Media
• Digital Learning
• Teachers

I remember way back in 2016 when the American Eagle Foundation set up a webcam at the National Arboretum in Washington D.C., which is home to a bald eagle couple appropriately named Mr. President and The First Lady. The webcam captured live footage of the couple's nest in anticipation of the hatching of their two eaglets. … continue reading Wildlife Webcams

By written by Allison M.    May 6, 2020   

• Environment
• Childrens Books
• Nature

The American Library Association (ALA) defines  community engagement  as "the process of working collaboratively with community members—be they library customers, residents, faculty, students, or partner organizations—to address issues for the betterment of the community." Community engagement is a common theme… continue reading Sharing Skills for Community-Centered Libraries with the American Library Association

By written by Community-Centered Libraries    May 6, 2020   

• Community
• IMLS

This is the 2nd in an ongoing series of self-care blog-posts. I’m not a professional healthcare worker. I’m simply someone that practices self-care in his daily life and for whom self-care is an important element. If you need professional help, please get the help you need. Below are some ways of getting help. I’ve gotten help… continue reading We Don’t Come with Dashboards: Reading Your Internal Gauges

By written by Bryan B.    May 6, 2020   

• Family Programs
• LEAP
• Self Care

Since the COVID-19 crisis shut down libraries, several Philadelphia City Institute staff members have been directly assisting neighbors and community members by helping with food distribution throughout the city. Sheryl Wright, a part-time Library Assistant who has been packing food for seniors at the  SHARE Food Program of Philadelphia ,… continue reading Philadelphia City Institute Staff Help with Food Distribution

By written by Erin H.    May 5, 2020    1  

• Free Library Staff
• Community
• Neighborhood Libraries

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our lives in ways big and small. We are all having to adjust to and cope with uncertainty and lingering worries.  That is true for children as well. School has moved to online learning and suddenly it’s not possible to be with their friends in person, to play sports, and even to be with their elderly… continue reading Talking to Children About Coronavirus

By written by Monica C.    May 5, 2020   

• Ebooks
• Childrens Books
• Recommendations

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: Arroz con Leche

By written by Lindsay S.    May 5, 2020    2  

• Digital Media
• Culinary Literacy
• Recipes
• Cooking
• Languages and Learning

While U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services are temporarily closed to the public due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you can still prepare for the test using our Learning Express Library electronic resource. The Learning Express Library is a database that you can access on your computer, tablet, or smartphone with your library card and PIN . This… continue reading Prepare for the U.S. Citizenship Test on Your Computer, Tablet, or Smartphone

By written by Phil K.    May 4, 2020    4  

• Databases
• Languages
• New Americans
• Digital Learning
• Adult Learning
• English Language Learners
• Languages and Learning

by Dr. Gary Galván In early March 2020, orchestras around the world began contacting the Fleisher Collection to let us know they were canceling concerts for which they had borrowed music. The socio-cultural impact of COVID-19 was upon us, effectively ending concerts for the remainder of 2020. Liveforlivemusic.com and Classic FM are… continue reading Going Under COVID: How the Shows Still Go On

By written by Fleisher Collection    May 4, 2020   

• Fleisher Collection
• Music
• Digital Media

Many Philadelphians are struggling to feel secure and confident when it comes to controlling personal finances. Especially in these current times of uncertainty, financial empowerment and literacy are vital to achieving goals, maintaining preparedness for unexpected events, and feeling comfortable with your financial status! Through Money… continue reading Money Mondays at the Free Library!

By written by Kalela W.    May 4, 2020   

• Community Events
• Financial Literacy
• Virtual Programs

For more than 25 years, libraries have been digitizing their collections, and the Free Library has digital collections in abundance—providing the opportunity to browse through roughly 50,000 images or to take a deep dive into the topic of your choice, be it Medieval Manuscripts, Historical Images of Philadelphia , or Pennsylvania German… continue reading Diving into Digital Collections

By written by Janine P.    May 1, 2020   

• Archives
• Digital Collections
• Rare Book Department
• Manuscripts
• Print and Picture Collection
• Photography
• Special Collections

by Marija G. , Alyssa V. , and Kalela W. With uncertainty amid the COVID-19 pandemic, many are preparing for the primaries with a short walk to their mailbox. Deadlines have been postponed, anyone in Pennsylvania can take advantage of mail-in voting! In order to protect the health and safety of all voters, poll workers, and election… continue reading Skip the Polls for the Post Office: Everything You Need To Know About Mail-In Voting

By written by Administrator    May 1, 2020   

• Government Information
• Elections

Are you missing out on the latest issue of your favorite magazine or looking for a way to read today’s copy of the Inquirer without leaving your house? The Free Library is here to help! Our online selection of magazines and newspapers is a great way to stay on top of current events, learn a new skill, or even occupy the kids—all… continue reading Enjoy Online Periodicals from the Comfort of Your Couch

By written by Leigh U.    May 1, 2020    1  

• Databases
• Reading
• Digital Media

Across Philadelphia, businesses are experiencing unexpected challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic . If you’re currently thinking about entrepreneurship for the first time or you’re an established business owner, the Business Resource and Innovation Center (BRIC) has resources to help support your current needs.  … continue reading At Home with BRIC: Access Business Resources Anywhere!

By written by Gillian R.    April 30, 2020   

• Databases
• Online Learning
• Digital Media
• Business Resource and Innovation Center
• Teachers

As we close out April and National Poetry Month, while many of us are in slow-down mode and many others of us are working extremely hard, let’s give ourselves a moment to pause and breathe and hear something good.  You may have seen recent articles and comments about the restorative power poetry can have in moments of crisis and… continue reading Listen to Poetry

By written by Autumn M.    April 30, 2020   

• Ebooks
• Podcasts
• Poetry
• Digital Media
• Audiobooks