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    2  

• 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

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  

• Events at the Library
• Family Programs
• Teens
• Summer Reading
• Literacy
• Online Learning
• Summer
• Neighborhood Libraries

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  

• Recommendations
• Film
• Digital Media
• Summer
• Pop Culture

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   

• Central Senior Services

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   

• Recommendations
• Comics and Graphic Novels
• Comic Con

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   

• Recommendations
• Comics and Graphic Novels
• Sci Fi

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   

• Recommendations
• YA Literature
• Comics and Graphic Novels

“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   

• Childrens Books
• Recommendations

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   

• History