Perry Genovesi & Adam Feldman | Movers & Shakers 2015—Change Agents
Libraryjournal.com
Music librarians Perry Genovesi (seated, l.) and Adam Feldman of the Free Library of Philadelphia tap teens’ passion for music to introduce them to criticism and help them to develop research and information literacy skills. “If you’re a librarian, and you want to know your teens better, have them share the music they’re passionate about!” Genovesi says. Starting in summer 2014, Feldman and Genovesi invited teens to bring their music to the Parkway Central Library. The Music Critics Round Table (MCRT) met weekly all summer. “It doesn’t take much prodding to get teens to go beyond ‘I love this’ or ‘I hate this,’ ” Feldman says.

Kamishibai isn’t a City in Japan (no digital link)
Children & Libraries: the journal of the Association for the Library Service to Children
Children’s librarian Kate Eckert is on the cover of Spring issue of Children & Libraries. She also wrote the article about using Japanese paper theater in storytimes.

REFORMA-Promoting Hispanic Culture with Library Services
New Professionals Special Interest Group blog
Librarian Mary Marques at Northeast Regional Library wrote a guest post for REFORMA, the division of ALA that deals with Service to Hispanic populations.

Obituary: Ann Dougherty, 57, librarian who wrote love letters for patrons
Philly.com
ANN DOUGHERTY used to say she felt like Cyrano, the fictional character who wrote love letters for a fellow soldier in the famous French play by Edmond Rostand. Ann did the same for a number of male patrons of the Free Library's Rodriguez branch, including a Spanish-speaking man who wanted to woo an English-speaking woman. Ann helped him write the love letter, and the man got his first date.

Foundations partnering to enable railroad viaduct park
Philly.com
The partnership, which is being called "Re-Imagining the Civic Commons," will provide $1.75 million to refurbish the Lovett Memorial Library and Lovett Park on Germantown Avenue in Mount Airy. It was chosen because it straddles the border between the neighborhood's prosperous west side and the less affluent east side.

Looking for something other than Wilkes-Barre and Scranton parades? Head to Philadelphia for these events.
Timesleader.com
For the literary crowd, the Rosenbach Museum and Library just off of Rittenhouse Square is featuring a special exhibit on Irish playwright Oscar Wilde, focusing on his relationship with Philadelphia. Wilde presented several lectures in the Philadelphia region in 1882.

Ireland’s No. 2 official, Joan Burton, visits Philadelphia
Philly.com
Burton also visited the Commodore Barry Club in Mt. Airy, met with cancer researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, and - a highlight she called "extremely moving" - saw the original manuscript of James Joyce's "Ulysses," housed at the Free Library's Rosenbach museum.

11 Things to Do in Philly This Week
Phillymag.com
One Book, One Philadelphia Grand Finale: The city-wide celebration of reading comes to a close at the Free Library of Philadelphia, where Christina Baker Kline, author of this year's "One Book, One Philadelphia" selection Orphan Train, will be on hand. She'll be joined by cellist Udi Bar-David, member of The Philadelphia Orchestra, and percussionist Rolando Morales Matos for an evening of music, celebration, and song.

Where to celebrate Pi Day in Philly
Philly.com
Make your own pie at the Free Library of Philadelphia’s Central Branch (1901 Vine St.) with Susan Quinn, baker at Greensgrow Farms. Using local ingredients, families can prepare the freshest fruit pies starting at 9:30 a.m.

#PhillyFive Things to Do: March 6, 2015
Philly.com
For a lesson: Get schooled in the seasoning, fermenting and packaging of cabbage into a jar — which will eventually result in yielding sauerkraut at this 6 p.m. workshop at the Free Library of Philadelphia’s Central Branch.

Reimagining Civic Commons initiative
ABC
Video clip
 

William Penn, Knight foundations donate $11M for public space project
Philadelphia Business Journal
The two foundations will invest $11 million to activate five new public space projects in the city, including the elevated train tracks at the Reading Viaduct. The funds will go toward "Reimagining the Civic Commons," an initiative led by the Fairmount Park Conservancy. Lovett Memorial Library and Park — The renovation and expansion of an existing library by The Free Library of Philadelphia and Mt. Airy USA.

Lovett Library renovation efforts boosted by additional $1.75 million
Newsworks.org
The ongoing renovation and expansion of one of that neighborhood's most essential resources by The Free Library of Philadelphia and Mt. Airy USA is getting a boost of $1.75 million… Lovett Library is one of four branch libraries in the Free Library system that has been designated for renovation and expansion through the 21st Century Libraries Initiative. The driving force behind the project is the creation of a new hub of community activity.

For ‘Alice in Wonderland’ Milestone, a Stampede Down the Rabbit Hole
New York Times
The Rosenbach Museum & Library, part of the Free Library of Philadelphia, is also getting in on the act, exhibiting the British Library manuscript in a five-day pop-up exhibition after the document’s display in New York. Through early 2016, it will also offer shows on its own Lewis Carroll holdings, among other subjects, and open an interactive room based on Carroll’s games and puzzles.

One Philadelphia, Lots of Book events
Phillyfunguide.com
In honor of the grand finale of the Free Library of Philadelphia’s 13th year of One Book, One Philadelphia we wanted to share upcoming book-centered events in and around Philadelphia. (Features One Book Grande Finale, Alexander McCall Smith author event (4/14), Terrance Hayes (4/20), Philip Glass (4/7), Cokie Roberts (4/27), and Marc Vetri (3/26).

Foundations invest $11 million in public space projects
Phillytrib.com
The initiative will also support the renovation and expansion of the Lovett Memorial Library and Park by the Free Library of Philadelphia and Mt. Airy USA and the Center City District’s development of the Reading Viaduct Rail Park. The project will turn a former rail line that runs from Broad Street southeast across 13th and 12th streets to Callowhill Street into a vibrant green park.

Winterthur exhibit looks at Pennsylvania German art
Delawareonline.com
Frakturs also are the stars of the show in two Philadelphia exhibits. At the Pennsylvania Museum of Art, "Drawn with Spirit, Pennsylvania German Fraktur from the Joan and Victor Johnson Collection" will be on view until April 26. And the Free Library of Philadelphia will offer "Framing Fraktur" through July 16.

GSK Get HYPE! Philly grant
KYW Philadelphia
Audio clip

Unique Team Bonding Activity
Mid-Atlantic Magazine
Brulee Catering at the Free Library is mentioned on page 31 of this digital version.

Author Marisa de los Santos talks about sending ‘The Precious One’ into the world
Tickettoentertainment.com
She felt it was time to pay homage to [her dogs] for all the support they provide. “They sit with me for hours as I write,” she said. They won’t be at the Author Event featuring de los Santos at the Free Library of Philadelphia on March 24, though. She’s hoping a lot of readers and writers will be. She loves speaking with people at events, especially at libraries.

#PhillyFive Things to Do: March 19, 2015
Philly.com
For a finale: The citywide literacy initiative “One Book, One Philadelphia” wraps up with a talk from Christina Baker Kline, author of “Orphan Train,” the program’s chosen novel. Philadelphia Orchestra cellist Udi Bar-David and composer and percussionist Rolando Morales-Matos will perform as well at this 7:30 p.m. event at the Free Library of Philadelphia’s Central Branch.

Table Talk: High Street sibling in Manhattan
Philly.com
Business partners Marc Vetri and Jeff Benjamin are out with books - Vetri's third (Mastering Pasta) and Benjamin's first (Front of the House). Vetri will do a Q&A at the Free Library of Philadelphia's Central Library at 7:30 p.m. next Thursday.

Final Chapter of Philadelphia’s ‘One Book’ Program for 2015
CBS Philly
The Free Library closes its “One Book, One Philadelphia” season tonight, with a grand finale featuring the author of this year’s selection — which found a lot of fans in the city. A group of students from St. Mary’s gathered around Christina Baker Klein like she was a pop star, getting her autograph on their copies of her bestseller “Orphan Train” and tell KYW Newsradio they loved it: “It was really great.”  “I think it gave more people a knowledge of what orphan trains were because I didn’t know what they were until I read this book.” “I loved her.”

Kate Mulgrew, Toni Morrison & Freeman Dyson top Philly’s literary season
Philadelphiaweekly.com
Features Free Library events including One Book Grand Finale (3/19), Kazuo Ishiguro (3/20), Barney Frank (3/23), Marisa de Los Santos (3/24), Marc Vetri (3/26), Michael Lewis (3/27), Paul Offit (3/29), Dr. Louis W. Sullivan (3/31), Frank Bruni (4/1), T.C. Boyle (4/2), Scott Simon (4/6),  Philip Glass (4/7), Candice Bergen (4/9), Lisa Genova (4/10), Alexander McCall Smith (4/14), Judith Miller (4/15), Bruce Eric Kaplan (4/16), Chris Hadfield (4/19), Terrance Hayes and Paul Beatty (4/20), Freeman Dyson (4/21), Michelangelo Signorile (4/23), Cokie Roberts (4/27), Kate Mulgrew (4/28), Toni Morrison (4/29), Gretchen Rubin (4/30), Tracy K. Smith with Elizabeth Alexander (5/4), David Brooks (5/5/), Beth Shapiro (5/7), George Bodenheimer (5/13).

One Book, One Philadelphia Grand Finale
ABC
Video clip

Pediatrician Paul Offit on his new book Bad Faith
WHYY’s Radio Times
In his new book, Bad Faith: When Religious Belief Undermines Modern Medicine, pediatrician and infection disease specialist at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, PAUL OFFIT explores the motivations and decisions of people who choose to forgo modern medicine in favor of using their faith to fight life-threatening illnesses. (appears 3/30)

Free Introduction to Developmental Biology at the Independence Branch of the Free Library
Geekadelphia.com
For the next six consecutive Wednesdays between now and April 29 at the Independence Branch of the Free Library, you can be introduced to the field of developmental biology, “including the fundamental question of how a single cell can give rise to the multitude of cell types found in complex, multicellular animals.”

Weekly almanac
Weeklypress.com
Features Free Library programs including the Mandarin Playgroup at Santore Library, SMART Readers at Central, Toddler Storytime at Blackwell, Laptop lab at Walnut Library, and more.

Business news in brief
Philly.com
Drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline, which has about 1,000 employees in the Navy Yard, said Thursday it would give $5 million to nonprofit organizations with programs designed to help children in Philadelphia eat healthier food and exercise more. The Philadelphia Foundation will administer the IMPACT grants, and the recipients are the Food Trust, Greener Partners, Common Market, Village of Arts and Humanities, Norris Square Neighborhood Project, Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA, the Free Library of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Youth Network, and the Enterprise Center Community Development Corp.

Germantown’s Coleman Library looks forward to leaky roof repairs
Newsworks.org
After two weeks, the roof leaks that forced the Northwest Regional Library's prized wooden dragon to be covered head-to-tail in plastic will be patched this week, possibly as soon as today. Staffers at the Germantown-based branch couldn't be happier.

Local organizations receive $5 million grant from GSK for a healthier Philadelphia
Aldianews.com
“With this generous funding, the Get HYPE Philly! partners will be able to reach more young people through the creation of more positive and healthy opportunities for them.” said Mayor Michael Nutter. Among the recipients of the grant funding are The Food Trust, Greener Partners, Common Market, The Village of Arts and Humanities, Norris Square Neighborhood Project, The Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA, The Free Library of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Youth Network, The Enterprise Center Community Development Corporation and Equal Measure.

GlaxoSmithKline awards $5 million grant to promote healthier lifestyles in Philadelphia
Newsworks.org
The Food Trust is one of the non-profit partners of Get Hype Philly and will serve at the backbone organization, collaborating with all the collective partners. Yael Lehmann is The Food Trust's Executive Director, and said groups combined efforts will include programs like more farmers markets, improved food in corner stores, and teaching kids out to cook and eat healthy at places like the Free Library, which offers a culinary center.

Philadelphia Launches New Program to get Schoolkids Focused on Fitness
CBS Philly
A new program that aims to help Philadelphia schoolchildren make healthier life choices was announced today at the Free Library of Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Food Trust heads the new initiative, called “Get Hype Philly.”

The Wilde Renaissance
Slate.com
On the archival side of things, Philadelphia’s Rosenbach Museum, part of the Free Library of Philadelphia, is currently showing a range of Wilde documents and ephemera, including a number of unpublished items. The exhibition, called “Everything Is Going On Brilliantly: Oscar Wilde and Philadelphia,” “focuses on the life and work of Oscar Wilde, and highlights his historic and ongoing connections and influence in Philadelphia,” where he spent time during that 1882 tour.

GSK’s $5M to Philly groups helping kids eat better
Philly.com
The announcement was made at The Free Library's fourth-floor renovated meeting room, which has a wonderful view of the city skyline. Across the hall is a new teaching kitchen to provide space for Philly kids to learn how to cook, with the hope being they will dish up for themselves and families healthy meals to help cut into the city's obesity rate.

James Carroll’s “Christ Actually: The Son of God for the Secular Age”
WHYY’s Radiotimes
​Author JAMES CARROLL uses this question as the basis for his new book Christ Actually: The Son of God for the Secular Age. He argues that it’s essential that Christ be viewed, first and foremost, as a Jew. (appeared 12/2014)

Calendar: March 18-25
Philadelphiaweekly.com
Features author events including David DeKok (3/18) and Barney Frank (3/23)