The South Philadelphia Library has added a new collection: the Health Lending Library . The first items in this new collection are electronic blood pressure monitors and food scales. These items will now be available for checkout in addition to the robust health collection on our shelves at South Philly Library. Check out our list to see some… continue reading Health Lending Library Now Available in South Philadelphia

By written by Katie D.    August 28, 2017    2  

• Healthcare
• Health
• Neighborhood Libraries

2 + 2 = 4 The Earth is round. Frankenstein is the name of the doctor, not the monster. These are all indisputable facts. Unfortunately, we are currently living in some bizarro, post-truth world where certain people try to dispute and argue about facts like the one's listed above. And if there is any term more misconstrued and misunderstood… continue reading Library Resources to Help Spot Fake News

By written by Peter SM    August 25, 2017   

• Databases
• Digital Literacy
• Digital Media
• Newspapers
• Library Resources

by Emma Seeley The Free Library of Philadelphia recently opened a new office, the Center for Public Life (CPL), to coordinate cultural and civic programs for adults across the library system. At the head of this new initiative is Andrew Nurkin. With a B.A. in English and History, an M.F.A in Poetry, a master’s degree in Divinity, and a… continue reading A Conversation with Andrew Nurkin, Head of Our New Center for Public Life (CPL)

By written by Administrator    August 24, 2017    3  

• Free Library Staff

A little over a week ago, on the same day that a hate-fueled gathering was taking place in Charlottesville, Virginia, a group of teenagers was gathering at a small library in Philadelphia to talk about combating hate. The Philadelphia City Institute hosted the Free Library's second annual Social Justice Symposium for Teens on Saturday,… continue reading Second Annual Social Justice Symposium Wrap Up

By written by Erin H.    August 23, 2017    1  

• Social Justice
• Black Lives Matter

As adults, it’s our job to help the children in our lives make sense of the world around them. After the events in Charlottesville this past weekend, and events around the country in recent months, there seems to be more need than ever to begin the conversation about responding to hate. The Free Library of Philadelphia is a welcoming and… continue reading Resources for Responding to Hate

By written by Rachel F.    August 17, 2017   

• Social Justice
• Black Lives Matter
• Racism
• Equality
• Diversity Equity and Inclusion

by Annette Mattei Did you know that close to 30 percent of adults who visit the Free Library come here to look for jobs? Moreover, That’s according to a Pew survey conducted in 2012 , 40 percent of adults who use our library computers are doing so for career or employment purposes. Starting with our online resources , the Free Library has… continue reading Job Readiness Labs: Supporting Job Seekers in Southwest Philadelphia

By written by Administrator    August 11, 2017    3  

• Careers
• Job Fairs
• Job Readiness Lab
• Job Seekers

Almost 100 years before Ellis Island, Philadelphia established The Lazaretto Station. It became the point of entry for all ships and passengers arriving during the quarantine season of June through October. The Lazaretto is the oldest surviving quarantine hospital in the western hemisphere.   Maritime quarantine stations were first… continue reading A History Minute: What is The Lazaretto?

By written by Administrator    August 7, 2017    5  

• History

Zinio, our digital magazine service, is now RBdigital Magazines . The great selection of currnet newsstand magazines including the New Yorker , the Economist , Bon Appetit , National Geographic , OK , Star , and many more, hasn't changed. It's still easy to use, still has no late fees, and is always free with your library card . If… continue reading Changes Coming for Zinio, Digital Magazines, and Digital Audiobooks

By written by Jamie W.    August 4, 2017    1  

• Digital Media

This year, the Summer of Wonder program has teamed up with the Rosenbach Museum to offer family-friendly fun for the whole season! The Rosenbach is a quirky little place located near Rittenhouse Square. In the 1940s and 50s, it was the home of brothers Abraham and Philip Rosenbach, who were crazy about collecting things—especially… continue reading Free Rosenbach Museum Admission for Summer of Wonder Participants!

By written by Emilie P.    July 28, 2017   

• Exhibitions
• Family Programs
• Teens
• Summer Reading
• Summer

Eastwick Library is excited to announce our new Family Fun Literacy Backpacks. Our backpacks are a pilot program selected by the Library’s Strategic Initiatives Office to support the City of Philadelphia’s citywide Read by 4th initiative. Read by 4th works hard to help children read at grade level by the 4th grade. The eight… continue reading New Family Fun Literacy Backpacks at Eastwick Library!

By written by Amy H.    July 21, 2017    4  

• Childrens Programs
• Early Literacy
• Literacy
• Read by 4th

Everyone in Philly is stooping this summer , and we wanted in! On the Parkway Central Library's front stoop—the newly renovated Shakespeare Park—the Free Library will present outdoor summer programming. As part of Oval+ , which is an extension of the annual joint venture between the Fairmount Park Conservancy and… continue reading Music, Storytimes, and More in the Newly Renovated Shakespeare Park

By written by Julie B.    July 20, 2017   

• Childrens Programs
• Music
• Parkway Central
• Storytime
• Shakespeare

For the members of our Military History Club, each monthly meeting leads to a passionate and well-informed discussion about the major personalities and battles of World War II. The group is led by John Hemphill, a staff member of Central Senior Services , and takes place at Parkway Central Library . While still in his 30's, John has learned… continue reading Monthly Military History Club Discusses Major Personalities and Battles of World War II

By written by Richard L.    July 17, 2017    1  

• Seniors
• History

This summer the Free Library will team up with the Knight Foundation and Niantic , maker of Pokémon , to bring Pokémon GO to five select Philadelphia libraries! PHL17 recently visited Parkway Central Library and talked with our staff to learn more about the game and initiative. Players will be invited to explore libraries and the… continue reading Ready, Set, Pokémon GO !

By written by Nate E.    July 11, 2017    1  

• Summer Reading
• Pop Culture
• Neighborhood Libraries
• Video Games

2018 Update: For the latest information on our Passport Processing and Photo Services, please visit our program page » The Free Library has always helped people explore new worlds—through fictional tales of far-off places and its international music collections, as well as through its robust foreign-language materials and travel… continue reading Passport Office Opens at Northeast Regional Library

By written by Julie B.    July 6, 2017    14  

• Government Information
• New Americans
• Neighborhood Libraries

When you think about a library and the sorts of events you might find scheduled between its walls, you may think of storytimes, lectures, maybe even job fairs and computer classes. While the Free Library of Philadelphia’s 54 neighborhood library locations DO offer those things on a regular basis (and they’re AWESOME, at that), we… continue reading Knitting and Biking and Magic, Oh My!

By written by Kate C.    July 5, 2017    1  

• Events at the Library
• Neighborhood Libraries

Did you miss the live performance of GUMSHOE ? We’re sorry! BUT, don’t fret. You can still experience the immersive adventure using your mobile phone, now through September 1 at the Parkway Central Library , the Rosenbach , and in between! If you’ve got 45-60 minutes, start in the lobby of Parkway Central Library with your… continue reading #MysteryMonday: Experience GUMSHOE On Your Mobile Device

By written by Kate C.    July 3, 2017   

• Exhibitions

It's official—summer has arrived and the Free Library is here to keep you cool, connected, and book-bound! Our summer hours went into effect on June 19, so take note that most of our library locations will not be open on Saturdays or Sundays. Saturday hours do continue throughout the summer at our three regional libraries: Joseph E.… continue reading The Heat Is On: Stay Cool During Free Library's Summer Hours

By written by Jenn D.    June 29, 2017   

• Summer
• Neighborhood Libraries

Saturday, July 1, 2017, 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Charles Ives (1874–1954). Variations on "America" (1891), arr. William Schuman Ives . Symphony No. 2 (1901) Discoveries from the Fleisher Collection starts the Independence Day weekend with that most-independent of American composers, Charles Ives. His music is wild, grand,… continue reading Discoveries from the Fleisher Collection: Charles Ives and Independence

By written by Fleisher Collection    June 29, 2017   

• Fleisher Collection
• Music

You may know him as the recipient of multiple Theodor Seuss Geisel Awards . You may know him as the author of such great books as The Watermelon Seed , Good Night Owl , and Number One Sam . Now you can add "Free Library of Philadelphia Summer of Wonder artist" to the list of ways that you know Greg Pizzoli . As an author, illustrator,… continue reading Meet Greg Pizzoli, Our Summer of Wonder Artist

By written by Becky F.    June 20, 2017   

• Teens
• Summer Reading
• Early Literacy
• Literacy
• Summer
• Neighborhood Libraries

My mom always says she knew she had trouble on her hands when, at the age of about six, I requested a Time Life series of hard-backed books about real-life murderers that I’d seen advertised on TV. Mom wisely demurred and guided me safely into the loving arms of Nancy Drew , where I could get my mystery fix without all the long-term… continue reading #MysteryMonday: Confessions of a Mystery Addict

By written by Alix G.    June 12, 2017   

• Exhibitions