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. And bonus: we will actually be talking about two books today! We are all feeling a bit stir crazy at home. So how about using all that pent-up energy for some fun reading… continue reading Picture ebooks Highlights | Dancing Feet and Farmyard Beat

By written by Monica C.    May 21, 2020    1  

• Ebooks
• Childrens Books
• Recommendations
• Picture Book Highlights

This is the 4th in an ongoing series of family 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… continue reading Family Self-Care and Private / Public Space in the Time of Social Distancing

By written by Bryan B.    May 20, 2020    1  

• Family Programs
• LEAP
• Self Care

If you’re like me, you already love Hoopla for streaming movies, music, and audiobooks. But did you know that Hoopla also has a great selection of comics and graphic novels? I particularly love the range of graphic novels available for middle-grade readers. Tweens at home will love that their favorite series are only a few clicks away.… continue reading Digital Comics and Graphic Novel Series for Tweens on Hoopla

By written by Leigh U.    May 20, 2020    1  

• Ebooks
• Childrens Books
• Recommendations
• Comics and Graphic Novels

This month brings new World Language additions to the Free Library's  Overdrive  ebook collection. Fiction and nonfiction titles are available for children, teens, and adults. You can find books in almost every genre, from Romance to Cookbooks. Check out these titles and more with your library card and PIN !… continue reading New World Language Titles Coming Your Way in May

By written by Rachel H.    May 19, 2020   

• Ebooks
• Languages
• Recommendations
• Digital Media
• Languages and 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: Thai Citrus Salad

By written by Lindsay S.    May 19, 2020   

• Digital Collections
• Culinary Literacy
• Recipes
• Health
• English Language Learners
• Languages and Learning
• Virtual Programs

With current stay-at-home orders and social distancing precautions in place, I find myself more eager to spend time outside and walk (or jog if I’m feeling really motivated) around the neighborhood. This has sparked a growing curiosity about the history of the area—both its past and present. Using our Digital Collections ,… continue reading Explore Your Neighborhood Virtually with Digital Collections

By written by Megan M.    May 18, 2020   

• Digital Collections
• Maps
• History
• Print and Picture Collection
• Photography
• Library Resources
• History of Philadelphia

by Nourishing Literacy  staff members Shayna M. and Carolyn After reading a New Yorker article a few weeks ago, our curiosity and interest grew in how to use kitchen scraps in resourceful ways. Tamar Adler, the highlighted chef and cookbook author in the article, is passionate about creating wholesome, satisfying dishes with foods… continue reading Making Sense of Food Scraps

By written by Shayna M.    May 18, 2020   

• Childrens Programs
• Ebooks
• Family Programs
• Gardening
• How To
• Digital Media
• Culinary Literacy
• Recipes
• DIY
• Crafts and Hobbies
• Nature
• Library Resources

It's been another long week and with the weekend upon us, hopefully some rest and relaxation are on the agenda. For kids of all ages (and the perpetually young at heart), Saturdays imparticular were once looked forward to as a simpler time when all you needed was a bowl of sugary cereal and your favorite cartoons. Good thing Hoopla has lots… continue reading Saturday Morning Cartoons with Hoopla

By written by Peter SM    May 15, 2020   

• Recommendations
• Television
• Digital Media
• Pop Culture

Wishes have been on my mind more than usual these days. Wishes for family to be safe and healthy, wishes for friends to keep in good spirits, and a wish to be able to visit my favorite bakery, look through the display case, and pick a quick sweet treat. When it comes to wishes, these are pretty basic with a good chance of coming true. … continue reading Three Wishes for the Days Ahead

By written by Jeff B.    May 15, 2020   

• Ebooks
• Childrens Books
• Recommendations

It's been 8 weeks since Philadelphia schools closed amid the COVID-19 pandemic , leaving parents and caregivers pivoting back and forth between work schedules and full-time childcare, amongst other concerns. Last week was the first official week of online learning , and homeschooling may be feeling like this excerpt from Dave Eggers'… continue reading Tips and Suggestions for Juggling Work from Home and Homeschooling Duties

By written by Peter SM    May 14, 2020   

• Digital Media
• Health
• Digital Learning
• Library Resources
• Self Care

This is the 3rd 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 Exercise in the Time of Social Distancing

By written by Bryan B.    May 13, 2020    1  

• Family Programs
• LEAP
• Self Care

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 . In 2005, author and illustrator Anna Dewdney introduced an endearing new character: Baby Llama. Since then, we've fallen in love with the character. In the… continue reading Picture ebooks Highlights | Llama Llama Red Pajama

By written by Monica C.    May 13, 2020   

• Ebooks
• Childrens Books
• Recommendations
• Picture Book Highlights

Check out some of our favorite business resources, accessible from anywhere with your library card number and PIN. Most of BRIC ’s business resources are also available from anywhere.   10. Gale ebooks Do you find yourself wishing you could check out those big fancy hard-backed reference books? Here’s your chance to read them… continue reading Top Ten Business Resources You Can Access Anywhere with Your Free Library Card

By written by Gillian R.    May 12, 2020   

• Databases
• Online Learning
• Digital Media
• Business Resource and Innovation Center
• 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: Chana Masala

By written by Lindsay S.    May 12, 2020   

• Digital Collections
• Film
• Digital Media
• Culinary Literacy
• Recipes
• Cooking

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