The peaceful transfer of power from one presidential administration to the next is a hallmark of our democracy—and something that Americans take great pride in. The occasion is particularly bittersweet when one of our two major political parties must yield to the other. By all accounts, the transfer of power from Republican George W. Bush… continue reading Presidential Inaugural Stories and Anecdotes
By written by Richard L. January 17, 2017 1
As you may still be reflecting back on last year, the Free Library is also looking back at our most borrowed books of 2016. It should come as no surprise that The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins reigned supreme in traditional book borrowing, but some other top titles may surprise you. Our top ebook download from 2016 was Me Before You… continue reading Most Borrowed Books of 2016!
By written by Jen W. January 17, 2017 1
I have weird memories of being a teenage girl—I’m pretty sure that I thought I was right about everything when maybe I was in actuality not so swift on the uptake. It’s refreshing for me now to read graphic novels in which the teenage female protagonist is so much stronger and sometimes has more superpowers than I could have… continue reading Teen Girls in Comics: The People I Wish I Would Have Been
By written by Rachel F. January 11, 2017
Philadelphia is a wild and weird city. There’s so much to love, to hate, to love to hate, and to hate to love. There’s also so much that we, as every day Philadelphians, have somehow forgotten or never learned about our city’s past. As a history lover and a wildly weird one myself (or so I fancy), I quickly became engrossed in… continue reading Philadelphia: City of the Uncanny and the Arcane
By written by Sarah M. January 5, 2017
While our 2017 One Book, One Philadelphia selection is often speculated to be a book about Autism Spectrum Disorder or Asperger’s Syndrome (something we've discussed in a previous #OneBookWednesday blog entry ), this year’s middle-grade companion book Temple Grandin: How the Girl Who Loved Cows Embraced Autism and Changed the… continue reading #OneBookWednesday: Companion Books about Children with Disabilities
By written by Joy K. January 4, 2017
Every year I read a lot of books. This year I’m at 329 and counting (I still have a day left...). This isn’t a strange statement coming from a librarian since it’s pretty much part of the job description—especially for us fiction librarians. And because I’m a librarian, I also enjoy making lists and organizing what… continue reading Dena's Favorite Books of 2016
By written by Dena December 30, 2016 1
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
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
Incarcerated mothers and fathers face many challenges to maintain bonds with their children in the face of difficult circumstances. Limited time in prison visiting rooms is not always enough. Using videoconferencing technology, the Free Library’s Stories Alive program offers an opportunity for a different kind of visit. Children come to a… continue reading One Year of Stories Alive: Looking Back and Planning Ahead
By written by Micaela G. December 28, 2016 2
It's winter! It's the holiday season! You know what would be a great idea right now? Escaping into a collection of Young Adult wintery/holiday themed novels while your mom tries to get you to wash the dishes and your weird cousin says weird things and everyone else is taking a nap in front of the tv. We’re going to take it to the… continue reading Winter Holiday-Themed Short Story Collections
By written by Rachel F. December 23, 2016
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
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
The library is a great resource for families trying to provide educational opportunities for their children during the long winter break! If you are able to get out to your neighborhood library, you can check out books, music, or movies. Many of our lirbaries also have manipulatives for the preschool crowd like wooden trains and tracks, play… continue reading Fun Winter Break Activities
By written by Elizabeth K. December 19, 2016
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
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
Do you have a favorite YouTuber? Maybe you love John and Hank Green and their community of Nerdfighters ? Are you more of a Vine (RIP) enthusiast? Whomever your fave and on whatever platform, there is a really good chance that a ton of followers turned into a book deal. Obviously, I love John Green’s whole canon of moody and angsty… continue reading Social Media Stars Write Books, Don't They?
By written by Rachel F. December 13, 2016
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
Some of the Free Library's talented staff will be conducting storytimes at the Christmas Village at City Hall on Fridays at 3:00 p.m. starting on November 25 and going until December 23. These storytimes will be held in the North Broad Street Arcade area of the Christmas Village and will include fun stories and songs that can be… continue reading Free Library Storytimes at Christmas Village in Philadelphia
By written by Elizabeth K. November 25, 2016
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
What is a dystology? It's a made-up word (made up by author Neal Shusterman , of course); a portmanteau of dystopian and ______-logy, as in a series of books. Is that cheesy? Maybe, but the books are so good! Part of my job title is Teen Librarian. This does not mean that I'm a teenager who is a librarian, but rather a librarian who… continue reading #FLPNoShameNovember: The Unwind Dystology by Neal Shusterman
By written by Becky S. November 22, 2016
