On Sunday, May 21, the Free Library’s Sunday Literacy Program ended its pilot year with a Family Celebration program at the eleven libraries hosting Sunday Literacy. At the Family Celebration, the participating children were recognized for their hard work this year and their caregivers were given tips for continuing the… continue reading Sunday Literacy Program Year In Review!
By written by Elizabeth K. May 31, 2017
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
The Free Library has recently mounted an exhibit of treasures from our collections that illustrate the history and artistry of the comic book medium. This display can still be seen on the 2 nd- floor landing and the Art Department gallery at the Parkway Central Library through June 15 and then its contents will once more be available to the… continue reading The Art of Comics: An Exhibition
By written by Alina J. May 26, 2017
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
As a librarian, who coordinates research visits to the Parkway Central Library for schools in Philadelphia and beyond, I often tell students that my colleagues constitute a corps of what one might call "intellectual detectives". Each collection and subject department is akin to a separate investigative bureau specializing in certain… continue reading #MysteryMonday: We, The Librarians, are Detectives
By written by Adam F. May 22, 2017
The Free Library’s map collection comprises thousands of maps focused on the development and history of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania. One particular map, the Plan of the City of Philadelphia and Environs, 1809, surveyed by John Hills in the summer of 1801, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, & 7 , depicts an unusual circular map that is large in size… continue reading A Rare Glimpse of Philadelphia in the Early 1800s
By written by Megan M. May 19, 2017 3
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
On Monday, May 22, catch the final concert in Mysterious Travelers 3: Internal Investigations , the series which saw musicians meeting minds with librarians to make concerts organized around the vast collections at Parkway Central Library . Ross Bellinoit plays us out of the third season – he’s a classically trained guitarist,… continue reading Mysterious Travelers 3 Closing Curtain: Ross Bellinoit Headlines | Recapping the Season
By written by Perry G. May 15, 2017
Registration for Science in the Summer began this past Friday, May 5 and to celebrate, the Franklin Institute visited the Ramonita G. de Rodriguez Library and provided a fun program for the students of Kearny Elementary School. GSK Science in the Summer is a fun and free science education program sponsored by GSK and… continue reading Science in the Summer Registration Kickoff!
By written by Elizabeth K. May 11, 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
Camille Saint-Saëns (1835–1921). Mon coeur s'ouvre aĚ€ ta voix , from Samson and Delilah (1877) Saint-Saëns. Cello Concerto No. 2, Op. 119 (1902) Saint-Saëns. Symphony No. 2 (1859) One hundred years ago, 18-year-old Francis Poulenc was looking for a composition teacher and, being recommended by the pianist Ricardo… continue reading Discoveries from the Fleisher Collection: Poulenc Couldn’t Believe What Ravel Said about Saint-SaĂ«ns
By written by Fleisher Collection May 5, 2017
Much has been written in academic journals about the need to increase access to special collections in public libraries, museums, and universities. This topic is particularly relevant to the Rare Book Department of the Free Library of Philadelphia as we continue to explore new ways in which to promote our special collections and… continue reading Traveling Treasures: A Special Collection Worth Touching
By written by Joe S. 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
As we gear up for the 3rd Annual Good Food for All Conference with the Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger on May 11 at the Parkway Central Library , the Culinary Literacy Center wants to know – what does hunger look like to you? Enduring images of anonymous people in line at the soup kitchen are certainly indelibly linked to… continue reading Good Food for All: What Does Hunger Look Like To You?
By written by Suzanna U. May 2, 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
I hear tell that April is National Letter and Card Writing month and I thought, well, you could always write to your congressperson , but in addition, you could also read some books about letter writers. While not necessarily epistolary novels (which, as I’m sure you know, is a fancy way of saying the whole book is just a bunch of… continue reading Letters of Note in YA Lit
By written by Rachel F. April 26, 2017 1
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
