Reading self-help books usually throws me into a pit of despair where I refuse to follow any advice, feel deeply inadequate and then ashamed for even reading the book to begin with. (Examples one , two , three , four ... ). It’s not only the shame of not being the person the self-help book wants me to be, but, further, the shame of even… continue reading #FLPNoShameNovember: Self-Help and Shonda Rhimes
By written by Link R. November 18, 2016
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
"I don’t read books written for readers above fourteen," is a constant phrase I use in conversations when discussing books. It’s a truthful statement; as the curator for the Children’s Literature Research Collection , I have to keep abreast of the latest publications for readers between the ages of zero and fourteen.… continue reading #FLPNoShameNovember: A Tale of Children's Books and Drag Queens.
By written by Chris B. November 17, 2016 2
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
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
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
by Ned Scharff As the United States begins restoring its historic ties to Cuba, the Free Library of Philadelphia is reaching out as well—by sharing its unique collection of some of the island nation’s nearly forgotten classical music compositions. "Cuba has a priceless musical tradition that is integral to its national… continue reading Resurrecting Cuba’s Forgotten Musical Treasures
By written by Administrator November 7, 2016 1
November is Native American Heritage Month , a great time to read books by and about Native Americans! This month’s book recommendations are by Native authors like Sherman Alexie , Cynthia Leitich Smith , and Joseph Bruchac , who have contributed hundreds of children’s books that feature contemporary, realistic Native children. This… continue reading November 2016 Early Literacy Calendar
By written by Sarah S. November 3, 2016
I’m the children’s librarian who hosts weekly Storytime for babies. The librarian who voraciously reads early chapter books about aliens and graphic novels about unicorns and their humans. But I also devour romance novels, bodice rippers, and smut books by the page. I blame library school for this obsession. For years, all I read… continue reading #FLPNoShameNovember: Confessions Of A Children’s Librarian
By written by Mary W. November 1, 2016 1
We here at the Free Library, along with Drexel University, love to celebrate and honor our local partners who are dedicated to promoting high-quality children’s literature and championing children’s literacy. One way we celebrate them is with the Free Library of Philadelphia / Drexel University Children’s Literature… continue reading The 2016 Free Library of Philadelphia / Drexel University Children’s Literature Citation Recipients Are...
By written by Sarah S. November 1, 2016 4
Last year, the Free Library introduced an interactive social media and digital campaign during the month of November in which we encouraged one another to stop hiding the covers of our books and hunching over our Kindles because of presumed embarassment about what we're reading, watching, or listening to. To shed the… continue reading Join the Free Library for #FLPNoShameNovember!
By written by Kate C. October 31, 2016 2
The Free Library of Philadelphia’s IT department has just completed a wireless upgrade throughout all our 53 neighborhood libraries! To paraphrase an old sci-fi show , "We have the technology. We can make it better than it was. Better, stronger, faster." What does that mean for you, our customers? Faster WiFi speeds, easier… continue reading WiFi Upgrades: Better, Stronger, Faster
By written by Administrator October 24, 2016 10
Get HYPE Philly! team and teen participants alike learn new things all the time about the benefits of different foods and how to prepare them. At a recent HYPE program with culinary educator Lauren Nixon , participants learned about the many benefits of avocado—particularly, what makes it a healthy fat. I won’t lie; I’m not… continue reading For the Love of Avocado!
By written by Khyra L. October 13, 2016 17
It’s that time of year again—the beginning of fall when temperatures start to fall and the pumpkin spice must flow. That means it’s almost Teen Read Week —the week of the year with no forced reading for teens, just fun reading! (Well, that’s the dream anyway—who knows what projects your schools have… continue reading Teen Read Week Is Upon Us!
By written by Rachel F. October 11, 2016
The "King of the Monsters" roars back onto movie screens next week when Shin Godzilla (a.k.a. Godzilla Resurgence ) premieres for a limited-run of U.S. screenings October 11 - 18 . The film is the first new entry in the Godzilla mythos in twelve years from the legendary Toho Studios , who have created 28 films starring the big green… continue reading Monsters as Metaphors: Godzilla Resurgence
By written by Peter SM October 7, 2016
This week marks my one-year anniversary working for the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation, the non-profit organization that supports the Free Library. I was hired as the system’s social media manager, to use the digital space to tell the Free Library’s story, to promote its wonderful and far-reaching programs and services, and… continue reading What I've Learned in a Year at the Free Library
By written by Kate C. October 7, 2016
Does the 2016 election have you feeling anxious? Are your news and social media feeds just too much for you some days? Are you randomly and for no reason starting fights with family members? Yeah, me too. But don't lose hope—you're allowed to check out of the election/news cycle for a bit for the sake of your mental health.… continue reading The Patriot's Guide to Taking a Break from the Election
By written by Rachel F. October 6, 2016 2
As the Free Library’s Prison Services program enters the second half of its first year running the Stories Alive program, we are very happy to report the program’s continued success! In partnership with the Philadelphia Prison System (PPS), the Free Library has been able to offer an increasingly popular opportunity for… continue reading Stories Alive: Family Story Hour for Incarcerated Parents and Their Children
By written by Micaela G. September 28, 2016 3
This week, as we join the American Library Association (ALA) in recognizing Banned Books Week , we are reminded that the Free Library of Philadelphia—and all public libraries—serves as a beacon of informational freedom in the communities we serve. Our institution’s mission to advance literacy, guide learning, and inspire… continue reading Banned Books Week with the Free Library
By written by Kate C. September 26, 2016 2
We’re thrilled to announce that musicians at any skill level, from those just plucking their first notes to virtuosos, will now be able to borrow the tools of the craft from the Parkway Central Library Music Department . Starting September 26, the Musical Instrument Collection (MIC) launches. You’ll be able to check out six… continue reading Opening Notes of Instrument Lending at the Free Library
By written by Perry G. September 21, 2016 10
