Another Summer of Wonder is here and The Rosenbach is again excited to offer free admission for families to the museum ! Once you step through the museum’s stately front doors, you’ll find a house filled with weird, wacky, and wonderful things that will delight and enchant the entire family. Pick up a copy of the Journey Around the… continue reading Summer of Wonder at The Rosenbach
By written by Emilie P. June 25, 2019
On Saturday, June 29, join us in Germantown's Vernon Park from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for the inaugural Unity Day ! On Unity Day, the North Central Philadelphia community will to come together to recognize unsung heroes and celebrate our strengths. The event’s history is rooted in recent and vibrant collaborations happening in the… continue reading Join Us for Unity Day on June 29!
By written by Andrea S. June 20, 2019 2
You Can’t Kill a Poet is a Philadelphia-based reading series for LGBTQ readers which just celebrated its 5th anniversary! The series is held at different locations throughout the city, including Tattooed Mom , South Philadelphia Library , and formerly The Wooden Shoe . From attending You Can’t Kill a Poet, I can attest to the… continue reading You Can’t Kill a Poet
By written by Link R. June 19, 2019 1
2019 has been a great year for children’s books so far. We are seeing so many own-voices books, although there is still a long way to go. Some of my favorites from the first half of the year have a common theme—LGBTQ+. I host a bi-weekly Baby & Toddler Storytime so I am always on the lookout for new board books. I’m also… continue reading New LGBTQ+ Children's Books for 2019!
By written by Mary W. June 18, 2019 2
Our Five Senses , a new exhibition in Parkway Central Library's Dietrich Gallery opened last month, and we have the honor of sitting down with some of the authors and illustrators who appear in the show. This month, we'll discuss the artist book Dinner Table with its creator, Eriko Takahashi. Eriko, Dinner… continue reading Our Five Senses - A Conversation with Book Artist Eriko Takahashi
By written by Chris B. June 14, 2019 1
Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery, on June 19, 1865, when the Emancipation Proclamation was enforced by Union soldiers and the last remaining slaves were freed in Galveston Texas. To honor the significance of this historical event, celebrations are held every year around the country. This year, on June 22, West Philadelphia will be the… continue reading Juneteenth is in the Air on 52nd Street and in the House at Blackwell Regional Library!
By written by Barbara B. June 6, 2019
Welcome to another Pride Month, friends! After this season of RuPaul’s Drag Race , I’m sure we're all ready to keep the amazing times rolling with more exploration of performative gender with some rollicking young adult novels. Or is that just me? Okay fine, just me. Either way, take off your wig and make up and settle in… continue reading Don’t Be a Drag, Just Be a Queen: Exploring and Celebrating Gender Roleplay in Young Adult Books!
By written by Rachel F. June 6, 2019 9
Today marks the last day of classes for School District of Philadelphia teachers and students and the beginning of summer break! Most thoughts and activities will turn to the outdoors, and when it's time to keep cool from that sweltering sun, you'll want to know where your nearest neighborhood pools and spraygrounds are located. This… continue reading School's Out for Summer! Keep Cool at a City Pool, Sprayground, and Your Neighborhood Library!
By written by Peter SM June 4, 2019 3
Summer is finally here – and that means it’s time for another Summer of Wonder with the library! Visit your local neighborhood library or visit us online to earn prizes for reading and completing learning challenges. But that’s not all!: We’re excited to introduce a series of FREE summer camps and workshops to keep the… continue reading Attend Free Summer Camps and Workshops in August at Your Neighborhood Library!
By written by Shari K. June 4, 2019 13
If you’ve ever lived in a city like Philadelphia, you’re familiar with falafel. The vendors on practically every corner have mastered the art of turning chickpeas into a delicious savory meal. In June, celebrate this dish found across the Middle East (and on the street corners of Philly) with us! Falafel can be enjoyed as an… continue reading Eid al-Fitr | Falafel (Chickpea Patties) Recipe
By written by Suzanna U. June 3, 2019
National Gardening Week starts on June 2 and I, for one, will celebrate by staring obsessively at the Grandpa Ott morning glories that I planted a few weeks ago. Grandpa Ott is a gorgeous deep-purple flower with a magenta pink center. It is accompanied by a fast-growing leafy vine that can climb trellises, pergolas, or in my case, a… continue reading Celebrate National Gardening Week with These Books and Gardening Tips!
By written by Kamilah C. May 31, 2019
Take a free tour of Our 5 Senses , a fully-interactive exhibition that connects the science of the senses with the mind and the literary experience. Tours begin at 3:00 p.m.and finish at 3:45 p.m. Visitors may view the exhibition on their own from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday - Saturday. Tours are free but registration is… continue reading Take a Free Family Tour of Our Five Senses, a Fully-Interactive Exhibition
By written by Joe S. May 30, 2019 3
June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month , and the Free Library is celebrating with events, speakers, drag queen storytimes, exhibitions, movie screenings, and more, all across Philadelphia! You can find everything with the #FreeLibraryofPride tag on our events calendar . Here's just a sample of what we have planned throughout June: It has been 50 years… continue reading LGBTQ+ Pride Month 2019 Programs and Events
By written by Joel N. May 30, 2019 3
Parkway Central Library Senior Services will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Coretta Scott King Awards for excellence in African American children’s literature with a five-part discussion series called Conversations In Color . These conversations take place throughout the month of June and center around the influence that images… continue reading Conversations in Color: The Coretta Scott King Awards Celebrate 50 Years of Excellence
By written by Lisa-Jane E. May 29, 2019 2
In a recent CNN article titled, "Why touching art is so tempting — and exciting," Fiona Candlin, a professor of museology at Birkbeck College in London and author of Art, Museums, and Touch , argues that touching is fundamental to the way we learn and connect with artifacts from within special collections.… continue reading Learning Through Touch: Connecting with Objects in Our Special Collections
By written by Joe S. May 28, 2019
The unofficial start of the summer season begins again this Memorial Day weekend and there will certainly be plenty of activities available for your attention, including all the new blockbusters and cineplexes ready to bombard your senses. As seems to be the norm nowadays, there will be a plethora of sequels, reboots, and adaptations. As of… continue reading Summer Movies 2019: Cool Celluloid for a Sweltering Summer
By written by Peter SM May 24, 2019
I celebrate myself — When lilacs last — I contain multitudes — O Captain! my Captain! What other U.S. poet’s work can be recognized by so few words—and by so many people—as that of the self-proclaimed "American bard"? Two hundred years after the birth of Walt Whitman , his verse still rings,… continue reading We Celebrate Him: Walt Whitman at 200
By written by Clare F. May 22, 2019
The Free Library of Philadelphia's Summer of Wonder program is almost here! Read and explore all summer long with our free activities and programs that support reading, learning, exploration, and fun. This program is designed for children and teens from birth to 12th grade, as well as adults, and there are multiple ways to get involved.… continue reading Read and Explore with the Free Library this Summer!
By written by Elizabeth K. May 21, 2019 1
May, among other things, is Mental Health Awareness Month —so this is a great time to discuss and reduce the stigma around mental illness. Millions of people in the United States and around the world cope with depression, anxiety, bipolar, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and other issues. Luckily, there are resources available to help.… continue reading May is Mental Health Awareness Month
By written by Rachel F. May 15, 2019
In preparation for the opening of Our Five Senses , a new exhibition running now through November 2 in Parkway Central Library's Dietrich Gallery , we've had the honor of sitting down with some of the authors and illustrators who appear in the show. It seems fitting to start the converstaion with Aliki Brandenberg , the inspiration… continue reading Our Five Senses | A Conversation with Author and Illustrator Aliki
By written by Chris B. May 14, 2019
