It’s starting to feel like summer here at the Free Library of Philadelphia. And with the start to the best season of the year, we’re excited for three months of activities, games, dancing, crafting, and, of course, reading! Summer of Wonder begins at neighborhood Free Library locations on June 12 th and goes through August 4 th .… continue reading Welcome to the Summer of Wonder!
By written by Becky F. May 26, 2017 1
As the weather turns warmer, schools begin to let out, and people head out of town on vacation, another summer slate of movies is being rolled out in theaters across the country. The "summer blockbuster" is now a perennial event, as each year filmmakers and Hollywood studios try to outdo their past offerings, in both attendance… continue reading Summer Movies 2017: Sequels and Retreads and Adaptations, Oh My!
By written by Peter SM May 25, 2017 1
The month of May is that glorious transitional time of the year that phases out spring and ushers in summer. It reminds us to stop and smell the roses. It is the time for celebrating mothers and college graduates. And it is also the time for celebrating older Americans, in the form of Older Americans Month ! This year, like every year, the Free… continue reading Age Out Loud at The Free Library!
By written by Lisa-Jane E. May 17, 2017
One of my favorite days of the year is coming up this Saturday: Free Comic Book Day ! Way better than Christmas, definitely better than another candle on a birthday cake, but maybe not as good as Halloween. Nonetheless, any day devoted to comic books is a great day in my not-so-humble opinion! I've been reading comics since I was a little… continue reading Every Day Is Free Comic Book Day at Free Library!
By written by Peter SM May 5, 2017
So... I love Star Wars. I have always loved Star Wars. My friends and I would routinely marathon Star Wars , The Empire Strikes Back , and Return of the Jedi at sleepovers when we were younger. (Or maybe we still do - who among you will judge me?) So, for fans like me, May 4th is a special day - it's Star Wars day! Why do you ask?… continue reading May the 4th Be With You!
By written by Rachel F. May 4, 2017
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month , so I thought I would share some exciting developments in the world of Asian American superheroes! There's a brand new Hulk in town, and his name is Amadeus Cho ! Get ready for gamma-fueled entertainment as the newly-empowered kid genius decides he's gonna be the best… continue reading Asian American Superheroes
By written by Rachel F. May 3, 2017
“My child loves mysteries and solving riddles. What’s a good series?” Oh how I love this question. Mystery readers can be a difficult group to please. The books recommended have to have the right combination of elements – the author has to play fair and give the reader a chance to match wits with the detective; the book… continue reading #MysteryMonday: Children's Mysteries
By written by Chris B. May 1, 2017
In the spring of 1776 , the British began a blockade of American ports, throwing coastal shipping into disarray and sending many captains back to the more secure European routes. But a young French captain, Stephan Girard, saw an opportunity . He slipped up the Delaware River into Philadelphia on the eve of revolution and spent the next few… continue reading The Richest Man in America
By written by Administrator April 27, 2017
A baker browses through dozens of cake pans to plan confectionary creations of her wildest imagination. Meanwhile, a man chooses the perfect tie from more than 60 to wear to his graduation. Elsewhere, a musician slated to play a wedding gig picks out an acoustic guitar from a batch of 25 other instruments. Although it might seem like these… continue reading Focus On: Unique Lending
By written by Samantha M. April 26, 2017
A year ago we kicked off the Paschalville Partnership , a Free Library-led collaboration of 11 organizations working to transform services for job seekers in Southwest Philadelphia. This community experiences significant barriers to employment; the city has deemed the area a “service desert,” where the needs of the residents far… continue reading The Paschalville Partnership: Transforming Services for Job Seekers in Southwest Philadelphia
By written by Julie B. April 25, 2017
The NFL Draft is coming to Philadelphia! And it is happening on the front lawn of the Parkway Central Library —the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. But perhaps the American football craze isn’t your thing, in which case you may be feeling a little left out of the party. We’ve got you covered! While 200,000 fans will be checking out… continue reading NFL Draft Not Your Thing? Check Out These Worldly Alternative Footballs!
By written by Julie B. April 24, 2017
Wow, what a success that was! 2017 marked our third annual Free Library of Comic Con and it was our biggest yet! To all of you who came—Thank You! You are the reason we’re able to do great programs like Free Library of Comic Con that are fun for everyone and empowering to local artists, publishers, and performers. Without you and… continue reading Free Library of Comic Con 2017 Wrap-Up!
By written by J. Matthew C. April 19, 2017 1
Imagine this: Your friends, and your associates, and the people around you, and the environment that you live in, and the speakers around you, and the communicators around you are the poetry makers. If your mother tells you stories, she is a poetry maker. If your father says stories, he is a poetry maker. If your grandma tells you stories, she… continue reading There's Poetry Everywhere!
By written by Autumn M. April 12, 2017
Katherine Milhous (1894-1977) wore many hats in her time: a supervisor for the Federal Art Project ; an artist for the Pennsylvania Art Project (a subsidiary of the Federal Art Project, which itself was formed under the Work Projects Administration, or W. P. A. ); a book designer; and an author and illustrator. As an illustrator, Milhous… continue reading The Art of Katherine Milhous
By written by Chris B. April 7, 2017
This Women’s History Month , we’ve been reflecting on the women who came before us. This list is by no means exhaustive but showcases just a few of those who paved the way here at the Free Library of Philadelphia, and in many ways, broke the glass ceiling in terms of what was possible for women in the library world. Join us in… continue reading Dynamic Women of the Free Library
By written by Kate C. March 28, 2017 2
I admit it: I’ve developed a slight obsession with baking pies. It all started last spring, when I took a hands-on pie class at the Free Library’s Culinary Literacy Center with Holly Riccardi, a baker who runs Magpie , South Street’s "artisan pie boutique." Holly taught a fail-safe dough recipe for both sweet and… continue reading Pi(e) Day
By written by Samantha M. March 14, 2017
Note: The scheduled Saturday, March 18 Migrate to Discovery and Adventure event has been rescheduled to Saturday, April 1, due to inclement weather. While books, CDs, and DVDs are still among the Free Library’s most checked-out materials, we’re proud of the many non-traditional items our customers can borrow across the system, from… continue reading Experience Nature Close-Up with Our Birding Backpack Program!
By written by JoAnne W. March 13, 2017 9
The Eighth Wonder of the World roars, stomps, and swings his way into a new film this weekend with Kong: Skull Island , a modern-day retelling of the King Kong mythos and the second installment in a much larger planned cinematic MonsterVerse . Needless to say, my Saturday-Afternoon-Monster-Movie-Double-Creature-Feature-UHF-Watching Inner Child… continue reading Man vs. Monster? Kong is King!
By written by Peter SM March 10, 2017
Happy Women’s History Month ! All throughout the month of March, we’re joining in the nationwide celebration of the vital role of women throughout American history. We hope you’ll join us for one (or more!) of the following inspiring events across the Free Library system: Monday Poets Monday, March 6, 2017, 6:30 p.m. Free… continue reading Women’s History Month at the Free Library
By written by Kate C. March 3, 2017
You'll have to excuse me today, I'm a little tired after watching this weekend's wild awards ceremonies. And no, I don't mean The Oscars (although, #envelopegate would get my vote for "Best Dramedy"!). I'm referring to The Golden Rasberry Awards, or The Razzies as they are affectionately (and sarcastically)… continue reading Best of the Worst: The 2017 Razzie Awards
By written by Peter SM February 27, 2017
