The following, I’m sure, comes as no surprise to any Philadelphia resident: it’s freezing outside. I know we’ve escaped a huge chunk of winter with milder weather, but that doesn’t mean I like the fact that I can’t feel my toes after my morning commute. For the next week or so, I plan on spending all of my free time staying inside and huddling under blankets.

If you have similar plans, but you also want some entertainment outside of endless House Hunters re-runs, the Library’s got you covered. Of course there are plenty of ebooks and audiobooks to download from the comfort of your own home, but I’d like to shed a little light on some of my favorite digital activities on freelibrary.org (and I promise you won’t have to leave your blanket fort to use them).

Digital Collections
I could spend afternoons browsing our digital collections and online exhibitions and still not discover every hidden gem. From vintage film stills in the Theatre Collection to Rembrandt etchings in the Fine Arts Collection and everything in between, there’s plenty to be amazed by. And don’t miss our online exhibition on 200 years of Pride and Prejudice!

Online Databases
There are dozens and dozens of online databases on freelibrary.org that cover every topic imaginable. Do you want to learn a new language? Are you researching best small business practices? Are you trying to keep your kids from going stir crazy during this deep freeze? Well, there’s a database for all of that and more. Check ‘em out here.

Author Podcasts
There are more than 1,000 Author Events podcasts available on freelibrary.org and you can listen to them all for free! That’ll certainly keep you busy until the warmer weather makes an appearance!