Blog Articles
Edible Alphabet is a free English language learning program offered to adults by the Free Library's Culinary Literacy Center . The mission of the program is to teach English language and… continue reading Food Insecurity, English Language Learning, and Community Conversations in North Philadelphia
By written by Lindsay S. January 3, 2020
A new year and decade has arrived; time to take stock of where we are and begin anew. May we suggest some inspirational children’s titles, and a new book by Martha Stewart to help you… continue reading New Titles Coming to the Free Library in January!
By written by Paul A. January 2, 2020
For over 50 years, Mae’s Millinery (definition: "the art of hat-making") was a fixture in Philadelphia, a destination for women from up and down the East Coast in search of the… continue reading A History Minute: Who was Mae Reeves and Why is She in the Smithsonian?
By written by Administrator December 26, 2019 5
"The wound that was made when white people came and took all that they took has never healed. An unattended wound gets infected. Becomes a new kind of wound like the history of what actually… continue reading #OneBookWednesday | Intergenerational Trauma
By written by Hannah B. December 18, 2019
The Free Library is excited to announce that Trapeta Mayson has been appointed the 2020-2021 Philadelphia Poet Laureate . A committee of poets, educators, and arts-organization professionals… continue reading A New Poet Laureate for Philadelphia...
By written by Andrew N. December 12, 2019 2
Never having been much of a history buff, and possessing a wholly striking inability to memorize dates, my cultivation of Philadelphia history has been mostly through passive absorption. I have… continue reading #OneBookWednesday | Regional Lenape History
By written by Hannah B. December 11, 2019
Guess what, Philadelphia? We have great news! Drumroll, please... Today, the Free Library of Philadelphia Board of Trustees voted to approve a measure that will eliminate most overdue fines… continue reading We're Going Fine-Free!
By written by Administrator December 11, 2019 9
I’m so thrilled that the One Book, One Philadelphia selection this year is There, There by Tommy Orange. I’m so thrilled that it features Indigenous folks with complicated, modern… continue reading #OneBookWednesday | Indigenous Voices for Young Adults
By written by Rachel F. December 4, 2019
From the mid-1930s to the early 1940s, artists working for the Federal Art Project’s Poster Division of the Works Progress Administration (WPA, later renamed Work Projects Administration)… continue reading Spotlight on Special Collections: WPA Posters in the Print and Picture Collection
By written by Laura S. December 2, 2019
What is ‘Black Friday,' and why do we do it? I did some digging... "In 1621, colonists invited Massasoit, the chief of the Wampanoags, to a feast after a recent land deal.… continue reading Did You Know?: Black Friday was Born in Philly
By written by Brittanie S. November 29, 2019
As the weather changes, there's no better company than reading a good book in a cozy space. Running from November 25 to February 29 , our Winter Reading Challenge invites readers of all ages… continue reading 'Tis the Season for the Winter Reading Challenge
By written by Gennifer R. November 25, 2019 3
" If you want to understand today, you have to search yesterday" Pearl S. Buck Putting the contents of libraries and museums on the web makes wonderful, hidden art accessible. The… continue reading The Free Library's New Center for Digitization | Sharing Treasures Through Technology
By written by Iryna G. November 25, 2019
Marisa McClellan is a food writer, canning teacher, and dedicated farmers' market shopper who lives in Center City Philadelphia. She is the author of Food in Jars: Preserving in Small Batches… continue reading Serve Up This Apple Cranberry Jam at Your Harvest Feast!
By written by Liz A. November 20, 2019
While reading There There — Tommy Orange ’s award-winning novel and the 2020 One Book, One Philadelphia featured selection—I was repeatedly struck by how many references Orange… continue reading #OneBookWednesday | Some History and Terms from There There
By written by Clare F. November 13, 2019
Squash is one of those wonderful, hearty foods that last throughout the colder seasons, and comes in many intriguing shapes and sizes. It serves as a point of literary intrigue, a cultural… continue reading The Pumpkin on the Plate
By written by Gennifer R. October 30, 2019
One of my favorite poetry presses recently printed out bookmarks that said: "Who needs poetry?" This question was a little tongue in cheek, but I think, in earnest, a valid question.… continue reading Poetry Comes to the Free Library This Fall
By written by Hannah B. October 28, 2019 1
If Blk Girl Soldier by Jamila Woods has been your anthem for the past few years... then you might be ready for the following booklist! Feeling telepathic? Step into this selection of *Black Girl… continue reading Black Girl Magic
By written by Gennifer R. October 23, 2019
by Peter SM and Dena H. Imagine stepping into an alternate universe where not everything is as it seems, animals—known as dæmons —can talk and act like humans, and a mysterious… continue reading His Dark Materials Screenings and Scavenger Hunts!
By written by Administrator October 21, 2019 1
There’s a new book in town! This morning, in partnership with the Office of the Mayor, the Free Library announced the title of the 2020 One Book, One Philadelphia featured selection. Are you… continue reading Announcing the 2020 One Book, One Philadelphia Selection!
By written by Hannah B. October 17, 2019 1
September is Library Card Sign-Up Month , and while we all know that a library card grants you instant access to a treasure trove of books, DVDs, and audiobooks from our catalog , we wanted to… continue reading Library Card Sign-Up Month | You Can Get WHAT at the Library?!
By written by Kate C. September 27, 2019