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 selected Trapeta from a wildly impressive group of applicants. Her two-year term begins on January 1, 2020. As Philadelphia’s fifth Poet Laureate,… continue reading A New Poet Laureate for Philadelphia...
By written by Andrew N. December 12, 2019 2
What do Charles Dickens, cuneiform tablets, and James Bond have in common? The answer is Hands-on History at the Free Library, which wraps up its inaugural year with a holiday program on Saturday, December 14 at 2:00 p.m., celebrating the works of Charles Dickens . Participants will explore manuscripts, original illustrations,… continue reading Hands-On History Wraps Up 2019 With Charles Dickens... and Introduces a New Line-Up For 2020
By written by Joe S. December 12, 2019
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 lived in Philadelphia long enough to have passable knowledge of the "founding fathers," the Liberty Bell, Eastern State Penitentiary, and the… 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 throughout the Free Library system! The effective date is yet to be determined, but we encourage you to check back here on our blog and social media sites… continue reading We're Going Fine-Free!
By written by Administrator December 11, 2019 9
The Languages and Learning Center is excited to announce the Free Library of Philadelphia’s first tutoring program for adult learners. We are creating a tutoring program to support the estimated 550,000 Philadelphia adults who desire to secure wage sustaining employment, complete their high school education, learn English, or to simply… continue reading Languages and Learning Center Launches Tutoring Program for Adult Learners
By written by Rachel H. December 10, 2019 3
As the days get shorter, stay cozy at home with one of these December selections coming soon to a neighborhood library near you. Young Children (Up to 2nd Grade) The Cool Bean written by John Jory and illustrated by Peter Oswald From the creators of The Bad Seed and The Good Egg comes a new adventure. Everyone knows the cool beans.… continue reading New Titles Coming to the Free Library in December!
By written by Tara M. December 6, 2019
Here at Donatucci Library, we are thrilled to welcome back Alycia Larson also known as "the Geography Lady" to present an inclusive holiday program called Lights Around the World today, Thursday, December 5 at 4:30 p.m. Alycia was previously an Afterschool Leader here and has since been offering geography-related programming at… continue reading Donatucci Library's Lights Around the World and Holiday Book Recommendations
By written by Sunita B. December 5, 2019
The Kingsessing Library has served the Southwest Philadelphia community now for a full century ! All are invited to our Centennial Celebration today, Thursday, December 5, from 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.,1201 S. 51st Street, between Chester and Kingsessing Avenues. Funded as part of Andrew Carnegie’s endowment to build public libraries… continue reading Kingsessing Library Celebrates Its 100th Birthday!
By written by Ben R. December 5, 2019
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 lives. And I’m so thrilled that it’s an excellent and moving read! Similarly, I could not be more excited about the selection of If I Ever Get… continue reading #OneBookWednesday | Indigenous Voices for Young Adults
By written by Rachel F. December 4, 2019
On December 7, the Art Department at Parkway Central Library will host the 12th annual Book Paper Scissors event, a fair designed for artists who create book-and paper-based work. As usual, numerous local artists and organizations will be on hand showcasing their work and visitors will be able to browse or purchase items directly from… continue reading Book Paper Scissors: 12th Annual Artists' Book Fair at Parkway Central Library
By written by Alina J. December 3, 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) created thousands of designs for posters in workshops across the United States. You may be familiar with iconic WPA poster images promoting United… continue reading Spotlight on Special Collections: WPA Posters in the Print and Picture Collection
By written by Laura S. December 2, 2019
The Experience Pass program is currently paused. We are investigating options to restart the pass in the future. Philadelphians ages 18 and above can use their Free Library card to check out FREE digital passes to cultural institutions and other attractions in the Philadelphia area. From science centers and botanical gardens to art museums and… continue reading Announcing the Experience Pass—Your Key to Free Philadelphia Museums, Attractions, and More!
By written by Jamie B. December 2, 2019 38
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. Massasoit came with ninety of his men. That meal is why we still eat a meal together in November. Celebrate it as a nation. But that one wasn’t a… 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 to register and earn badges as they gather reading minutes, reach reading goals, try out new activities, and write their own book reviews! This year,… 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 Free Library of Philadelphia has digitized over 51,340 items from our extensive collections and is constantly adding more every day. Here, at 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 Year-Round and Preserving by the Pint: Quick Seasonal Canning for Small Spaces . She has written for the Vegetarian Times , USA Today , the Food… continue reading Serve Up This Apple Cranberry Jam at Your Harvest Feast!
By written by Liz A. November 20, 2019
NaNoWriMo, or National Novel Writing Month , is a creative exercise in perseverance for writers everywhere. It is a challenge to write 50,000 words of a novel during the 30 days of November. That's around 12,500 words per week or around 1,700 words per day! The goal is to end November with a complete, or at least mostly complete, novel… continue reading NaNoWriMo = National Novel Writing Month!
By written by Kelly D. November 18, 2019 12
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 was able to weave into a single, cohesive story. Wars, movements, treaties, bands, brands, places, people, concepts, books, actors, artists, songs: all… continue reading #OneBookWednesday | Some History and Terms from There There
By written by Clare F. November 13, 2019
On Saturday, November 9 at 12:00 p.m., world-renowned violist Adriana Linares of ArcoNet (The Arts & Community Network), an incorporated nonprofit organization committed to offering high-quality music educational, cultural, and intellectual activities, will lead a string trio in performing classical and Latin pieces at the Lawncrest Library… continue reading Viola, Violin, and Cello Family Concert at Lawncrest Library
By written by Marcela F. November 7, 2019
Prints were popular in American colonial homes. Among the decorative luxuries available, they were the most affordable. They would be hung in hallways, entrance halls, stairwells, and kitchens. They represented people, places, and events, prior, during, and following the American Revolution. They included portraits honoring those who fought… continue reading Spotlight on Special Collections: Five Unstudied Prints from the American Revolutionary War
By written by Joe S. November 7, 2019
