It’s April, everyone, and you know what that means – it’s National Poetry Month ! Each year, the Academy of American Poets "highlights the extraordinary legacy and ongoing achievement of American poets" by celebrating with a host of readings, events, and activities. Check out their fun, thoughtful ways to participate… continue reading Celebrate National Poetry Month
By written by Autumn M. April 3, 2018
Just in time for Easter, perhaps the largest collection of "Easter Eggs" to ever be assembled on film debuts in theaters today— Ready Player One . The film is adapted from Ernest Cline's 2011 novel , a nod to all things '80s nostalgia and a cornucopia of media references across the genres of movies, music, television,… continue reading The Pop Culture Apocalypse of Ready Player One
By written by Peter SM March 29, 2018 1
Did you know the Free Library has trained mental health professionals on site at Parkway Central Library to help patrons who are in need of social services and other referrals? Because of all the great work being done, and in honor of National Social Work Month in March, we took a few moments to catch up with Michael Rabb, one of our onsite… continue reading Spotlight on Michael Rabb for National Social Work Month
By written by Autumn M. March 15, 2018 6
2018 marks the 38th time little golden statues have been awarded to films of a certain competence... and no, I'm not talking about the Oscars—I'm referring to the Razzies ! The awards, which consist of gold spray-painted raspberries atop reels of film and boast a cost of $4.97 each, are given out to the best of the worst in… continue reading Best of the Worst in Film: The 2018 Razzie Awards
By written by Peter SM March 9, 2018 1
At long last, Hoopla , our popular source for streaming television and movies (as well as graphic novels , ebooks , music , and audiobooks ) is now available to use on Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, and Android TV! View the following video tutorials below to add Hoopla to your digital media player of choice. For written instructions, visit… continue reading Now Showing: Hoopla on the Big(er) Screen!
By written by Jamie W. March 6, 2018 2
Every Monday at the Falls of Schuylkill Library around 4:15 p.m., our Children’s Department welcomes two special visitors. Wally and Orchid, while there to hear some stories and make new friends, are not your regular storytime attendees—they are both trained therapy dogs! They visit the library to help our school-age readers become… continue reading Therapy Dogs Encourage Reading at Neighborhood Libraries!
By written by Meredith M. March 5, 2018 6
Another year, another Academy Awards. This Sunday, March 4 marks the 90th(!) Oscars ceremony, sure to have plenty of pomp , pageantry , and now more than ever, politics . Some will tune in for the glamour , some for the gossip . Some will throw parties , while others may try to win it all and make a quick buck in an office pool. Oh yeah, and… continue reading Oscars 2018: From Book to Screen and Back Again
By written by Peter SM March 2, 2018
Through May, the Teen Center is partnering with the Philly Slam League to host its 8th season at Parkway Central Library . The program will draw hundreds of teens and their supporters from week to week to host a friendly and supportive poetry competition. Teen poets from 22 area high schools will perform under the guidance of teacher… continue reading Teen Central hosts the Philly Slam League for Poetry!
By written by Kris L. March 2, 2018
Thanks to a generous grant from the William Penn Foundation, the Free Library is embarking on a series of fun programs for babies , toddlers and their families called Read, Baby, Read , using new library spaces and materials to help develop language and literacy. Research now suggests that by 18 months, less‐advantaged kids are already six… continue reading Read, Baby, Read Helps Develop Language and Literacy at the Library
By written by Sarah S. February 26, 2018 1
It may not have seemed remarkable. In 1895, at a college in Ohio, during a memorial service, students and faculty paid tribute to a man they held in high esteem. They recited the Lord’s Prayer, they heard hymns—perhaps spirituals that the man being honored would have remembered, were he still living among them. University… continue reading Wisdom, Bravery, Trueness: Frederick Douglass and W.E.B. Du Bois
By written by Kalela W. February 23, 2018 2
As Head Designer of Horace Trumbauer’s architecture firm, Julian Abele designed the Free Library and the Philadelphia Art Museum and set the tone for the entire parkway. He designed buildings and palatial estates throughout the Philadelphia region as well as in New York City, Boston, and Newport, R.I. But there was more to this… continue reading A History Minute: 11 Things You Didn't Know About Julian Abele, Architect of the Parkway
By written by Administrator February 7, 2018 10
Here at the Free Library, we often have parents ask us, "How can I help my child learn to read?" Of course, we know that sharing books with children helps to develop a love of reading, but beyond that, there are lots of things you can do to support your child's language and literacy development. We are happy to announce that the… continue reading Ready4K and Vroom: Early Learning Tips for Young Children
By written by Sarah S. February 2, 2018 2
Saturday, February 3, 2018, 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Leonard Bernstein (1918–1990). Overture to Candide (1957) Gustav Mahler (1860–1911). “Ich atmet einen Lindenduft,” from Rückert-Lieder (1901) Mahler . Adagietto from Symphony No. 5 (1902) Ned Rorem (b. 1923). Symphony No. 3 (1958) Bernstein . Presto barbaro,… continue reading Discoveries from the Fleisher Collection: Bernstein’s 100th
By written by Fleisher Collection January 31, 2018 1
Black History Month begins this week, and we have a packed February full of programming for all ages here at the Free Library. Neighborhood libraries across the city are hosting everything from craft workshops and quizzos to performances, film screenings, and discussions highlighting the struggles, successes, and contributions of African… continue reading Black History Month at the Free Library
By written by Julie B. January 30, 2018 1
Excited for the release of the movie adaptation of A Wrinkle in Time this spring? I know I am! Can’t wait for Black Panther ? Yes! Obviously you should read the books first, but did you know that a ton of other Young Adult books are headed to screens both big and small in 2018? Definitely get a leg up on your friends and be able to… continue reading Coming Soon from the Pages of a Book to a Screen Near You: YA Movies and Television Shows
By written by Rachel F. January 26, 2018
The Free Library Passport Acceptance Facility, normally located at Northeast Regional Library, is popping up at Tacony Library . The Northeast Regional Library will be closed through January 28, 2018 due to a building emergency; the Tacony Passport Office will be open January 19 through at least January 28, 2018. The Tacony Library Passport… continue reading Free Library Passport Acceptance Facility at Tacony Library!
By written by Victoria G. January 19, 2018 1
The Free Library's Rare Book Department prides itself on making historical and beatiful artifacts available to the general public. An award of $500,000 from the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR), which is made possible by funding from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation , will make some of its collection more accessible to… continue reading Rare Book Department Awarded Digitization Grant for Muslim-World Artifacts
By written by Julie B. January 11, 2018 4
The Free Library's Center for Public Life is thrilled to announce the 2018–2019 Philadelphia Poet Laureate— Raquel Salas Rivera , a Puerto Rican poet and translator who writes in both English and Spanish. Raquel will kick off their tenure—joined by current Youth Poet Laureate Husnaa Hashim, a senior at Mastery… continue reading The Free Library Announces Philadelphia's Next Poet Laureate
By written by Julie B. January 8, 2018 1
Beginning December 15, 2017, the Free Library will host an all ages online Winter Reading Challenge. The program encourages participants to continue reading all winter long, and also provides ideas for other fun activities. How do I sign-up? Visit https://freelibrary.beanstack.org on or after December 15 to sign-up. If you already have a… continue reading Announcing the Free Library’s All Ages Online Winter Reading Challenge!
By written by Barbara T. December 14, 2017 6
So it’s almost time for another installment of the Star Wars franchise, an event which many of us are treating as a holiday. It’s been a roller coaster ride for fans these last two decades since The Phantom Menace . I don’t know about you guys but I’m still wary of getting my hopes up each time a new film comes out. Can… continue reading Pro-Porg and Proud: A Discussion on Star Wars Creatures Cute and Small
By written by Rachel F. December 14, 2017
