The Art Department of the Free Library of Philadelphia maintains a collection of artist files going back to the 19th century. Our artist files are folders that include article clippings, gallery announcements, artist statements, exhibition catalogs, and other ephemera related to artists and art subjects with a focus on the Philadelphia area.… continue reading Art Department Celebrates Black History Month with African American Artists from Philadelphia

By written by Alina J.    February 23, 2017   

• African American
• Black History Month

Looking for something heartfelt and inspiring to read while supporting a worthy cause this Valentine's Day? Check out Love is Love , a 162-page graphic novel from IDW Publishing and DC Comics , honoring the victims, supporting the survivors, and celebrating the LGBTQ community affected by the senseless Pulse Nightclub tragedy in Orlando,… continue reading Love is Love

By written by Peter SM    February 14, 2017   

• LGBTQ
• Comics and Graphic Novels
• Digital Media
• Social Justice

Emphasizing the diversity and individuality expressed on the Autism Spectrum was one of the main themes that came out of the One Book, One Philadelphia panel discussion hosted at the South Philadelphia Library last Wednesday entitled "Exploring Myths and Facts about the Spectrum." Author Mark Haddon deliberately avoids diagnosing his… continue reading #OneBookWednesday: Exploring Myths and Facts about the Autism Spectrum

By written by Will T.    February 8, 2017   

• One Book, One Philadelphia

It’s February, cupid is dusting off his bow and arrow, and those chalky-but-delicious conversation hearts are lining supermarket shelves. With love already in the air, we thought it would be a great time to channel those lovey-dovey feelings and find out why you love your local library, whether it’s a Free Library location or… continue reading #LoveTheLibrary: What Do You Love About YOUR Local Library?

By written by Kate C.    February 1, 2017    24  

• Neighborhood Libraries

With a longstanding commitment to promoting new, noteworthy, and overlooked works, the Fleisher Collection of Orchestral Music has engaged in musical diplomacy as an integral part of its history. During the Great Depression, Edwin Fleisher, Collection curator Arthur Cohn, and head librarian Franklin H. Price were able to interest the… continue reading How the Fleisher Collection Engages in Musical Diplomacy with Cuba

By written by Gina B.    January 31, 2017   

• Exhibitions
• Fleisher Collection

On January 28th, we will celebrate the Year of the Rooster at the Free Library! We invite you to explore storytimes, cultural programs, and arts & crafts activities throughout Philadelphia . Chinese New Year is a fifteen-day celebration which starts on the new moon. On Chinese New Year, people participate in traditional activities such as:… continue reading Celebrate the Year of the Rooster at the Free Library!

By written by Jenny C.    January 26, 2017   

• Chinese American
• Holidays
• New Americans

Our libraries have a full lineup of programs and activities this February to celebrate the rich intellectual and cultural contributions made by the African American community. We have everything from performances and special guests to dance workshops and cooking programs scheduled for this year's Black History Month celebration!… continue reading How Will You Celebrate Black History Month?

By written by Jennifer W.    January 24, 2017    3  

• African American
• Black History Month

On Saturday, February 11, 2017, Parkway Central Library welcomes back the United Way and the Campaign for Working Families for our second annual Free Tax Prep & Resource Fair . Community organizations will be available to connect tax filers to local, state, and national resources that help individuals and families to grow their financial… continue reading Tax Time at the Free Library of Philadelphia

By written by Adam F.    January 19, 2017    8  

• Tax Information

2016 was another great year for readers and fans of comic books, specifically graphic novels. While not necessarily a "Top 10" (especially since I selected sixteen!) and definitely not in any order of importance, the following are just sixteen really cool, fun, entertaining, and thought-provoking graphic novels I read and enjoyed in… continue reading 16 Great Graphic Novels from 2016

By written by Peter SM    December 29, 2016   

• Comics and Graphic Novels

The following is a guest blog post by Frances Egler, who serves as the Director of Programming and Presentations at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts . Egler is responsible for booking the Broadway Philadelphia season for the Kimmel Center. In 2017, that series includes the stage adaptation of our One Book, One Philadelphia selection,… continue reading #OneBookWednesday: Broadway Booking and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

By written by Administrator    December 28, 2016   

• One Book, One Philadelphia

Free Library Myth #3 While printed books, ebooks, and audiobooks are the most popular items to check out from the Free Library, a library card opens the door to so much more if you just know where to look! Some of the more unusual items customers can check out include ties at Paschalville Library , baking equipment at McPherson Square Library ,… continue reading #FLPMyths: So you thought you could only check out books with a library card…

By written by Kate C.    December 22, 2016   

• Free Library Myths

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times... to be a lady who likes comics. One day you get to celebrate the appearance of the first African American woman to own a comic book store on a cover of a major comic and then the next you have entitled jerks creating impossible and sexist art ( NSFW link here ). It’s a give and take… continue reading Let's Hear It For the Ladies (in comics)!

By written by Rachel F.    December 21, 2016    1  

• Teens
• Recommendations
• YA Literature
• Comics and Graphic Novels

The Free Library of Philadelphia is a welcoming, safe, and inclusive space for all members of the public. The programs and services at each of our 54 libraries are available for people of every age, ethnicity, race, religion, and sexual orientation, and for those across all economic, social, and political spectrums. During a time when many… continue reading Our Commitment to Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion at the Free Library

By written by Siobhan Reardon    December 19, 2016    8  

• Community

We’re thrilled that the Free Library’s transmogrified into one of the most exciting free venues for jazz in Philadelphia, thanks in part to our sidemen and women at the Philadelphia Jazz Project . We’re writing now to invite you to the next concert in our Mysterious Travelers 3 Series , an evening with singer Alexis Simmons… continue reading Mysterious Travelers 3 | Up Next!: Alexis Simmons | Recapping Kunu Bi

By written by Perry G.    December 16, 2016   

• Music

Did you know that December is Read A New Book Month ? That’s right, the perfect excuse to dig into something you haven’t read before, especially as the temperatures continue to drop and the idea of leaving the house and the comfort of our cozy blankets seems less and less appealing. To help you find something that’s new (to… continue reading December is Read A New Book Month!

By written by Kate C.    December 12, 2016    1  

• Reviews
• Free Library Staff
• Reading
• Recommendations

I have written of my deep and abiding love of mysteries on the Free Library’s blog many times over ( Exhibits A and B ). I just can’t help myself! So when I heard the title of this year’s One Book, One Philadelphia selection, I was really excited. “A mystery! Right up my alley!’ I exclaimed to a colleague.… continue reading #OneBookWednesday: Is Our Selection A Mystery Book?

By written by Alix G.    November 23, 2016    2  

• One Book, One Philadelphia

On Monday at 7:00 p.m. on November 21, join the Free Library and the Philadelphia Jazz Project for the next show in our acclaimed series of jazz concerts, Mysterious Travelers . Last year we explored what the  Great Migration  means to Philly music and now we’re banging on books and making music with microfiche—yes,… continue reading Mysterious Travelers 3 | Up Next!: Kunu Bi/Ed Stokes and Tom Lowery | Recapping Brent White

By written by Perry G.    November 17, 2016   

• Music

The One Book, One Philadelphia 2017 featured selection, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time , is often described as a book about a unique teen on a quest. When trying to describe that uniqueness, many readers and reviewers alike have most closely identified narrator Christopher Boone’s behaviors and mental processes with… continue reading #OneBookWednesday: Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder

By written by Julie B.    November 16, 2016    1  

• One Book, One Philadelphia

Historical nonfiction is all the rage. Erik Larson seems to have a spot reserved for him on the New York Times bestseller list; David McCullough is so much a household name, he’s verging on pop culture status; and everyone and his mother’s book club raved about Daniel James Brown’s The Boys in the Boat . It’s almost… continue reading #FLPNoShameNovember: Historical Nonfiction – The Nerdy Kind

By written by Kalela W.    November 16, 2016    1  

• No Shame November

Some days are just "one of those days", am I right? I feel like this fall has been full of "those days", so instead of hurling myself off the nearest building, I like to indulge in one of my guilty pleasures—pastoral period dramas with a strong female lead. What would fall in to that category, you ask? I’d be… continue reading #FLPNoShameNovember: When I’m Feeling Blue

By written by Rachel F.    November 10, 2016    2  

• No Shame November