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

by Kalela W. and Andrew N. Celebrate Pride by standing up against racism. Black lives Matter. freelibrary.org/pride Fifty years ago, in June 1970, LGBTQ+ people in cities across the United States took to the streets in protest. They marched up Christopher Street in New York and down Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles. They marched past… continue reading Pride, Black Lives Matter, and Solidarity

By written by Kalela W.    June 4, 2020    3  

• Black Lives Matter
• Free Library of Pride

Dear Free Library community, We are enraged and heartbroken.  The murder of George Floyd at the hands of the police—and the senseless murders of Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor, among many others—has once again revealed the anti-Black racism that continues to afflict our nation. Communities across the country, including our… continue reading The Free Library Stands Against Racism

By written by Siobhan Reardon    June 3, 2020    6  

• Black Lives Matter
• Community
• Diversity Equity and Inclusion

This is the final installment 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.… continue reading Do-It-Yourself Family Self-Care

By written by Bryan B.    June 3, 2020   

• Family Programs
• LEAP
• Self Care

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: Haitian Pikliz

By written by Lindsay S.    June 2, 2020    2  

• Ebooks
• Culinary Literacy
• Recipes
• English Language Learners
• Languages and Learning

It's Primary Election Day in Philadelphia! If you've signed up in Pennsylvania to vote by mail , you should have already received your ballot with its easy-to-follow instructions, enclosure envelope, and mailing envelope. The only thing not included was your "I voted" sticker. That's okay⁠—the Special Collections… continue reading "I Voted" Stickers from Our Special Collections

By written by Chris B.    June 2, 2020   

• Elections
• Politics
• Special Collections
• Languages and Learning

Though it’s hard to imagine LGBTQ+ Pride month in Philadelphia without being able to gather in person as a community to celebrate, the Free Library is marching online and taking the celebration virtual this year with a month of programs  exploring LGBTQ+ lives, stories, and histories. The first Pride march was organized in 1970 as a… continue reading The Free Library of Pride Goes Virtual Throughout June 2020!

By written by Andrew N.    June 1, 2020    1  

• LGBTQ
• Free Library of Pride

Voting in the  Pennsylvania Primary Election on Tuesday, June 2, is going to be different in Philadelphia this year, as the Philadelphia Inquirer   recently noted , because of COVID-19 . Despite the unique circumstances, five of our neighborhood libraries will again be designated as voting locations. These libraries remain… continue reading Five Free Library Locations to Serve as Polling Places in Primary Election

By written by Jenn D.    June 1, 2020   

• Elections
• Neighborhood Libraries

Feeling at a loss for learning this summer? Looking for fun ways to expand your mind and keep your summer fresh and engaging—even indoors? The Free Library has a new virtual Summer of Wonder experience for you! What’s Your Story? From artistic inspiration to STEAM building projects, from writing groups to world exploration, connect… continue reading Find Your Story with the Free Library’s Virtual Summer of Wonder!

By written by Emily S.    May 29, 2020    2  

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

Are you looking for some binge-worthy reading that has nothing to do with the quasi dystopian reality outside your front door? Look no further than the literary comfort food that is the Cozy Mystery! Here is Goodreads' excellent explanation of this beloved genre: Cozies very rarely focus on sex, profanity or violence. The murders take place… continue reading Curl Up with a Cozy Mystery

By written by Kim B.    May 29, 2020   

• Ebooks
• Reading
• Recommendations
• Fiction

Blog post author Amy Honisett is the Learning and Development Specialist for Multnomah County Library. Multnomah is the public library system for Portland, Oregon and a national partner in the Free Library of Philadelphia’s Skills for Community-Centered Libraries initiative. There is a lot of interest in community engagement at Multnomah… continue reading Community-Centered Libraries: Another National Partner Perspective

By written by Community-Centered Libraries    May 28, 2020   

• Community
• IMLS

We are back with another Picture ebook Highlights blog, 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 time, it’s a book that has two of my favorite things: dogs and books! I am extremely fond of books with dog characters and in this case, we have one… continue reading Picture ebooks Highlights | Dog Loves Books

By written by Monica C.    May 28, 2020    1  

• Ebooks
• Childrens Books
• Recommendations
• Picture Book Highlights

This is a time of great uncertainty and anxiety for everyone. But if you're a teenager, you may be feeling especially vulnerable. The Free Library is bringing you a series of workshops over the next several days to help you process your thoughts and emotions surrounding the pandemic . High school seniors should be celebrating traditional… continue reading Workshops and Resources for Teens Navigating Uncertain Times

By written by Erin H.    May 28, 2020    1  

• Teens
• Health
• Virtual Programs

This is the 5th 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 Family Self-Care and Emotional Vocabulary

By written by Bryan B.    May 27, 2020   

• Family Programs
• LEAP
• Self Care

Updated June 29, 2020 10:00 a.m. On Friday, June 26, 2020, Mayor Kenney signed a Mandatory Mask Order , which requires masks to be worn in any indoor public spaces and outdoors if there is less than six feet between people from different households. Original blog post by Hans Kellner, Philadelphia Department of Public Health, posted on May 12,… continue reading #MaskUpPHL: Why, When, and How to Use a Mask

By written by Administrator    May 27, 2020    1  

• Health

Like me, you may already use RBdigital for its great selection of magazines for adults. But did you know that all four magazines in the Highlights family are available to read online? With kids unable to access the latest issue of their favorite magazine at the library right now, RBdigital allows young readers and their caregivers to read… continue reading Magazines for Kids on RBdigital

By written by Leigh U.    May 26, 2020   

• Ebooks
• Childrens Books
• Early Literacy
• Digital Media

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: Spicy Panzanella Salad

By written by Lindsay S.    May 26, 2020   

• Culinary Literacy
• Recipes
• Cooking
• English Language Learners
• Languages and Learning

As the unofficial beginning of summer starts this weekend, this is usually when I write a blog post about all the summer movies that are coming to theaters over the next 3 - 4 months... but this year, COVID-19 had other plans... [Cue the "In a world..." voiceover] Since the middle of March, the majority of movie theaters (along with… continue reading The Free Library Has Your Ticket for Summer Movie Streaming!

By written by Peter SM    May 22, 2020   

• Film
• Digital Media
• Summer
• Pop Culture

You know that feeling of finishing a movie or television show, and not knowing what to do with yourself now that it’s over? We get it! But just because the sequel or next season isn’t out yet, doesn’t mean the fun has to stop. Let us recommend your next read based on the Netflix television series or movie you loved.  … continue reading Teen Book Recommendations Based on Your Favorite Netflix Series and Movies

By written by Megan J.    May 22, 2020    1  

• Reading
• Teens
• Recommendations
• Television
• Film

In the age of social distancing, virtual meetings have become commonplace. Almost overnight we’ve had to learn new technologies in order to have a doctor’s appointment, a work meeting, a class, or even a birthday party. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by learning how to use the different virtual meeting platforms, you’re… continue reading Stay Connected: Virtual Meeting Basics

By written by Jamie B.    May 21, 2020   

• Databases
• Digital Learning