The Free Library Book Bike program is now entering its 4th season! The Book Bikes are bicycle-powered mobile libraries that go to local events, bringing a piece of the Free Library outside of our brick and mortar locations. When visiting one of our Book Bikes you can check out a book with your library card, sign up for a card if you don’t… continue reading The Book Bike Gears Up for Its 4th Season!
By written by Link R. February 8, 2019
We've said it before and we'll say it again, we owe it all to Billy Penn! Err, wait, that was a lyric my music teacher wrote for our elementary school choir. But...Ms. Moore was on to something. (And that was such a great original tune she composed that I remember it 40 years later!) The Free Library has said it before, and we'll… continue reading Spotlight on Unique Lending | Bus Busy Bags!
By written by Jenn D. February 7, 2019 1
Happy Birthday, Charles Dickens! The celebrated author was born February 7, 1812 in Landport near the city of Portsmouth, England. Dickens professional writing career began in the early 1830s and continued for nearly four decades until his death in 1870. He was internationally successful, and twice visited the United States on… continue reading Happy Birthday to You, Charles Dickens!
By written by Joe S. February 7, 2019
It’s Laura Ingalls Wilder's Birthday today, February 7, and like many people born in the 1970s and who grew up in the 1980s, I read (and by read, I mean devoured) the Little House on the Prairie book series. I know it's not just, me because the books spawned a whole industry: a television show , cookbooks , and… continue reading Problematic Favorites | Laura Ingalls Wilder and the Little House on the Prairie Series
By written by Rachel F. February 7, 2019 6
Teens at the Philadelphia City Institute (PCI) Library are diving deep into big issues this month through the Teen Reading Lounge (TRL) program . Program participants are reading and talking about this year's One Book, One Philadelphia selection for young people, Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes,… continue reading Teen Reading Lounge at PCI Library Tackles Big Social Issues Through Book Discussions
By written by Erin H. February 4, 2019
Julius Bittner was born in Vienna in 1874, growed up just outside of his hometown, and died in that same town in January 1939. He was pretty much immediately forgotten after his death. Well, in 1939, Austria, Europe, and the world at large did have some other things on their minds, as World War II began that September. But it's remarkable… continue reading Fleisher Discoveries | Mahler's Friend, Julius Bittner
By written by Fleisher Collection February 1, 2019
by Erme C. Maula, Read by 4th Reading Captain Heading into my Reading Captain training, I didn’t know what to expect. I had wanted to get involved in my community by doing something that I could fit into my busy schedule. The Reading Captain training introduced me to information, resources, and messages that could be easily shared with… continue reading Checking in with a Read by 4th Reading Captain!
By written by Administrator January 30, 2019 1
The newest batch of must-read titles for children and young adults has been chosen once again to receive the Youth Media Awards ! The American Library Association's yearly event , held this year in Seattle, WA, is often called "The Oscars for Children's Literature." We at the Free Library of Philadelphia are especially excited… continue reading And the 2019 Youth Media Award Winners Are...
By written by Peter SM January 29, 2019
Changes are coming Today, January 28, 2019, marks the start of the new tax season. With the full roll out of P.L. 115-97, the new federal tax law , you will need to prepare for some significant changes in how you file. Here is a brief summary of what to expect: The new Form 1040 – Gone are Forms 1040A, 1040EZ and the old 1040. This… continue reading It’s Tax Season... Are You Ready?
By written by Marija G. January 28, 2019 6
The Free Library’s Musical Instrument Collection (MIC) celebrated its second birthday back in September 2018 and our collection keeps rolling on! It’s been a big 2 years for the MIC, culminating in a Philadelphia Magazine's Best of Philly Award for "Best Reason to Go to the Library" , coverage from WHYY's … continue reading The Free Library’s Music Department Celebrates Two Years of Instrument Lending!
By written by Perry G. January 24, 2019 7
Long ago, Philadelphians had the opportunity to escape the congestion of the city by ferrying to two islands in the middle of the Delaware River, across from what is now Penn’s Landing. These islands were known as Smith’s and Windmill Islands, and have a complicated history that resulted in their eventual destruction in the 1890s.… continue reading An Island Retreat Off the Shores of Philadelphia
By written by Megan M. January 22, 2019
The current exhibition in the Rare Book Department ’s Dietrich Gallery, entitled Philadelphia - The Changing City , offers a look at centuries’ worth of local transformations illustrated with materials mostly sourced from the library’s Map and Print and Picture Collections. One of the maps on display is a "Local Cycling… continue reading Philadelphia - The Cycling City | Part 1: Paving the Way
By written by Alina J. January 18, 2019
As long as there has been war, there’s been writing about war, whether in poetry or prose, exploring not only its glory and valor but its brutality and cost. "The Great War" — what we now call World War I—as no different in that it birthed many war poems and war poets such as Wilfred Owen , Siegfried Sassoon , Robert… continue reading The Poets of WW1
By written by Alex B. January 10, 2019
2018 was a super busy year for YA books being adaptated into movies: The Hate U Give , To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before , Dumplin ’ , and so many others . (p.s. I have some Read-a-Like lists for The Hate U Give , To All The Boys & Dumplin ’ if you’re interested, no pressure.) The good news is, it looks like… continue reading Read These YA Books Before They Debut on Movie Screens in 2019!
By written by Rachel F. January 7, 2019
The late and great Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell once sang, "Ain’t nothing like the real thing baby." These words hold true for how to best experience our material culture. People who have visited the Rare Book Department will often describe the exhilaration they feel when seeing the writing of authors in the library’s… continue reading Take History in the Palm of Your Hand with this New Series from the Free Library's Special Collections
By written by Joe S. January 7, 2019 1
As we go to air it’s the beginning of January, which means we’re still in the Christmas season, which also means I have no compunction about playing some Christmas music for you—especially since this is Christmas music I’m pretty sure you’ve never heard before. Not unless you’re an American music history… continue reading Fleisher Discoveries | William Henry Fry (1813-1864) - Santa Claus: Christmas Symphony
By written by Fleisher Collection January 4, 2019 1
What is a concept book? Concept books are a type of picture book that introduces basic ideas, or concepts, to young children. They are sometimes described as informational picture books for preschoolers. These books present single, concrete concepts such as alphabet, colors, numbers and counting, shapes and opposites. Concept books play… continue reading Concept Books | Learning about the Alphabet
By written by Monica C. January 3, 2019
Update: The Free Library’s At These Crossroads exhibition was honored as an Adobe Government Creativity Awards finalist in the ‘Multichannel Campaign – Museum of Park Exhibit’ category! Come see this exhibition at the Parkway Central Library before it closes this fall! Born in 1868, just shortly after the Union’s… continue reading At These Crossroads: The Legacies of Frederick Douglass and W.E.B. Du Bois Exhibition
By written by Administrator December 20, 2018 3
We’re about a month away from kicking off the One Book, One Philadelphia 2019 season. After the official Kickoff Event , eight weeks of discussions, films, performances, and more take place across the city! Even if you haven’t read the book, that still gives you a bit of time to catch up! And, if you don’t tackle it before the… continue reading #OneBookWednesday: It's Time to Discuss!
By written by Lo I. December 19, 2018
2018, it’s been quite a year, am I right? I know that by this point every year we’re all like, “WOW, what a year!”, but this year especially feels like we are on track for record length. So in this, possibly the longest year ever, it feels like it's time for some light entertainment. Maybe you are the kind of person… continue reading Love Hallmark Christmas Movies? Give These Teen Holiday Reads a Look!
By written by Rachel F. December 18, 2018
