With Mother’s Day coming up this Sunday, we wanted to share a classic no-bake, no-heat recipe that can be made by children in honor of this auspicious holiday. Who remembers bringing crispy toast, over-sweetened cereal, and lovingly prepared fruit cups on a tray to their mother on a sleepy Sunday morning? If you want to join in the fun… continue reading A Mother's Day Recipe for Kids (of All Ages)!
By written by Suzanna U. May 10, 2019
Summer is right around the corner and the Culinary Literacy Center is looking forward to another season of Summer Thyme Cooks! This year we are offering a week-long library and cooking program for youth entering grades 5-12 , presented by the Nourishing Literacy Kitchen Team. Summer Thyme students will participate in one full week of… continue reading Summer Thyme Cooks!
By written by Shayna M. May 8, 2019 1
Ah mothers and motherhood – such a beautiful and serene time, where everything is so easy and uncomplicated, right? Ha! All of the moms I know, including my friends, coworkers, and even my own mother have assured me that it is… well, more complicated that the pictures often presented. Not being a mother myself, my entry point into… continue reading Graphic Novels about Motherhood
By written by Rachel F. May 8, 2019
This past week, the Culinary Literacy Center piloted our very first Spanish-language cooking class: Edible Alphabet en Español! In this class, we used the model of Edible Alphabet: Learn English through Cooking to create a hands-on educational experience for adults interested in learning and practicing Spanish. Participants learned new… continue reading Learn and Practice Spanish at the Free Library!
By written by Lindsay S. May 7, 2019 1
This Saturday marks that most intergalactic of wordplay holidays... May the 4th Be With You ! Did you know that " Star Wars Fiction " is a subject heading in our online catalog ? It’s hundreds of pages of items in our collections, which I for one think is AMAZING! We have everything from easy readers and picture books for… continue reading May the 4th Be With You | Star Wars Fiction
By written by Rachel F. May 3, 2019
This year, Free Library Comic Con celebrates its 5th anniversary with our annual event at the Parkway Central Library on May 11, 2019! When you arrive, you’ll first encounter our Vendor Hall which will be chock full of an array of local businesses, colleges and universities, and other organizations. Artist Alley is where you can find all… continue reading The 5th Annual Free Library Comic Con!
By written by Kris L. May 2, 2019 2
Here's some exciting news to close out National Poetry Month : Philadelphia Poet Laureate Raquel Salas Rivera has been selected by the Academy of American Poets as one of 13 recipients of a new fellowship award ! Rivera, who was appointed to their two-year term as Poet Laureate in 2018, is one of 13 poets in nine states receiving the… continue reading Raquel Salas Rivera Receives Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellowship
By written by Kate C. April 30, 2019
Here at the Culinary Literacy Center, we use food as a lens to see and experience the world around us. Unfortunately, the food system we take part in can also mirror larger societal inequities. For far too many Philadelphia residents young and old, everyday experiences with food include inconsistent access to adequate nourishment. According to… continue reading Help to Fight Food Insecurity at the Annual Good Food For All Conference
By written by Suzanna U. April 29, 2019 1
On May 13, the Free Library's Special Collections Division will present Our Five Senses , the first family friendly, fully-interactive exhibition at the Free Library. The exhibition connects the science of the senses with the mind and the literary experience. Unique materials in the exhibition cross three centuries of human discovery. … continue reading Our Five Senses | A New Family Friendly, Fully-Interactive Exhibition
By written by Chris B. April 29, 2019 5
In my version of a perfect world, there are two kinds of fiction readers: Those who have already read (and loved) multi-award-winning author N.K Jemisin 's work and those who will. Soon. If you find yourself in neither category (!), perhaps a peek inside this author's extraordinary mind will provide just the push you need. Obviously her… continue reading Are You an N.K. Jemisin Fan Yet?
By written by Kim B. April 24, 2019
Philadelphia’s Science Festival is back for a week of all things science. The week-long festival is hosted by the Franklin Institute and offers hundreds of free and low-cost programs across the city for all ages. The Free Library will host science-based children’s programs in 10 of our neighborhood libraries throughout the week.… continue reading Celebrate All Things Science at Your Neighborhood Library During the Philadelphia Science Festival!
By written by Elizabeth K. April 23, 2019
If you had told me a few years ago that I would be fully obsessed with either ice hockey or fencing by way of comics I would have laughed SO HARD. I’m barely into watching baseball or football – and those have snacks readily available! But wow, there are some amazing sports comics out there. Or maybe I am just really into the titles… continue reading Rah! Rah! Sis Boom Bah!: Let's Hear It for Sports Comics and Manga!
By written by Rachel F. April 17, 2019 2
Dublin 2019: An Irish Worldcon announced the finalists for the 2019 Hugo Awards on April 2. The awards are the most prestigious in the science fiction genre, honoring literature and media as well as fan activities. Named for Amazing Stories editor Hugo Gernsback and awarded since 1953, they are one of speculative fiction’s biggest prizes.… continue reading Hugo Awards Finalists Announced for 2019
By written by Kim B. April 17, 2019
A Voice for Peace, Concord, and Harmony: XIII International Poetry Festival in Philadelphia will congregate poets from Latin America, Spain, and the United States in an evening of verse and music on May 1. Each poet will read one piece, and at the end of each poetry round, a short musical performance by the Matt Ford Trio will delight the… continue reading Poetry Reading Circle: Celebremos Global Peace!
By written by Mary Marques April 12, 2019 2
Dreaming of summer? We know your children and students are, too. But did you know that over the summer, students can lose three months of reading skills gained in school? This loss can make it harder to become strong readers by 4th grade. What can you do to make sure your child continues to learn throughout the summer? The Free Library… continue reading Preparing for Summer with the Summer Camp Challenge!
By written by Elizabeth K. April 9, 2019
Eight years ago, HBO debuted a trailer for a new series called Game of Thrones . (My colleague’s 2011 blog post previewed the show and highlighted the books in our collection.) I was confused and intrigued all at once. Hand of the King? Iron Throne? Ravens? House Targaryen? I was intimidated because I hadn’t read the books. I… continue reading Game of Thrones Returns
By written by Christina P. April 8, 2019
If you’ve spent time visiting any of the Free Library’s 54 neighborhood library locations or reading this blog , you know that we’ve got something for everyone. With over 25,000 events and programs offered each year across our system, access to hundreds of databases , and something to read or watch no matter what you’re… continue reading #MyFreeLibrary: What Is YOUR Free Library Story?
By written by Kate C. April 5, 2019 3
The newest superhero to take flight on the silver screen calls Philadelphia his home and viewers will be able to spot the Art Museum, the William Penn statue, the LOVE sculpture, and various Philly-centric neighborhoods in scenes throughout the movie. There's even a climatic action sequence that takes place on and around the… continue reading Look! Up in the Philly Skyline! It's a Bird! It's a Plane! It's... Shazam!?
By written by Peter SM April 4, 2019
When Julian Abele completed his design for the Parkway Central Library in 1926, he likely could not have imagined how different libraries would look in the 21st century. The expansive hallways Abele created for card catalogs are now gallery spaces where library users can learn about essential American authors or view contemporary works of art .… continue reading The Robert and Eileen Kennedy Heim Center: A Public Space Unlike Any Other in Philadelphia
By written by Andrew N. April 4, 2019 2
Game of Thrones is coming back to HBO, did you know that? I mean, how could we miss it—am I right? I’m guessing that you’ve been waiting like everyone else with baited breath to find out what happens in the final episodes. Same. Well, we’re super close now to the new season premiere, so if you’ve already read all… continue reading YA Books to Read While You Wait for Game of Thrones to Return
By written by Rachel F. April 3, 2019 2
