Five Free Library locations are offering children and youth aged 18 and under ready-to-eat meals this summer: Haverford Library , Joseph E. Coleman Northwest Regional Library , McPherson Square Library , Oak Lane Library , and Queen Memorial Library . No IDs are required for youth to receive a free meal. Meals must be eaten on-site. Dates… continue reading Library Locations Acting as Student Meal Sites
By written by Administrator June 30, 2025
The Edwin A. Fleisher Collection of Orchestral Music , in partnership with Play on Philly (POP), is thrilled to announce the second installment of our Edwin A. Fleisher Scholarship! We love this partnership because POP echoes Edwin Fleisher’s original concept in 1909 of assisting young Philadelphians with their musical education… continue reading Second Fleisher Collection Scholarship Awarded to Philadelphia Tubist, Keith Holmes
By written by Gillian R. June 27, 2025 1
The Free Library is pleased to announce the graduation of 13 patrons from the Digital Skills Program, taught by Beyond Literacy . This eight-week course covers computer and internet basics, and students must pass assessments in eight topics to complete the program. This week, the 13 graduates will join 75 graduates in celebrating their… continue reading Beyond Literacy Honoring Digital Skills Graduates from Five Libraries
By written by Lu F. June 25, 2025
Explore something new with one of these titles coming to the Free Library in July! Young Children (up to 2nd Grade) A Sky that Sings by Anita Sanchez Mia, a blind girl who enjoys identifying birds by their distinctive calls and songs, leads her aunt on a bird-listening adventure through the park. Mia and her tía are spending a sunny… continue reading New Titles Coming to the Free Library in July
By written by Rachel F. June 24, 2025
More books are written by and for trans and nonbinary people than ever before, and the Free Library wants YOU to read them with us! Join us on the third Tuesday of each month for a virtual citywide book club for trans and nonbinary adult readers. Each month, we will read books written by trans and nonbinary authors and… continue reading Join the Trans By Trans Book Club
By written by Flan P. June 24, 2025 7
The Free Library of Philadelphia’s Special Collections is excited to present a free catalog of items that can be used to supplement Dungeons and Dragon s and other tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs)! Each in-game item was inspired by a real-life object in the Library's Special Collections. Check out the Oddities and Wonders: A… continue reading Oddities and Wonders: A Selection of Unusual Artifacts for TTRPG Players
By written by Kelly D. June 24, 2025 3
Attention teens aged 14–19! Are you passionate about social justice? Are you looking for a unique learning and service opportunity? Philadelphia City Institute Library will be holding a Teen Social Justice Fellowship program this fall, and you could be a part of it! We will select three Philadelphia teenagers between the ages of… continue reading Seeking Teen Applicants for the 2025 Social Justice Fellowship
By written by Administrator June 23, 2025
The Free Library is proud to announce the implementation of Homosaurus , a linked data vocabulary of LGBTQ+ terms. Homosaurus enhances LGBTQ+ discoverability within the catalog by offering patrons a broader range of search terms. In the catalog, we use the Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) controlled vocabulary to… continue reading Incorporating Homosaurus Into the Free Library's Catalog
By written by Clint F. June 23, 2025
Being Black and LGBTQ+ means navigating multiple dimensions of identity, each with its own unique set of challenges and triumphs. For some, the intersection of the LGBTQ+ and Black communities is a rich legacy of resilience, culture, and community that has shaped generations. It means embracing the complexity of love, identity, and… continue reading Black and Queer: 10 Powerful Reads at the Crossroads of Identity
By written by Dr. Guy Sims June 18, 2025
The Free Library is thrilled to welcome the community back to its recently renovated and reopened branches: Lawncrest Library , Blanche A. Nixon/Cobbs Creek Library , Kingsessing Library , and Frankford Library ! After much anticipation, each of these branches has been thoughtfully modernized to include improved ADA accessibility features,… continue reading Welcoming You Back to the Free Library's Improved Branches!
By written by Administrator June 17, 2025 8
What do the TTRPG (tabletop role-playing game) community and the LGBTQ+ community have in common, besides long acronyms? It turns out, a whole lot; there is a significant overlap between the two communities! Tabletop role-playing games, or TTRPGs, are cooperative, narrative-based games typically played with a group. They involve… continue reading Rolling for Identity: The Intersection of TTRPGs and LGBTQ+ Communities
By written by Kelly D. June 17, 2025 1
The Go Birds: Appreciating Our Avian Friends exhibition is on view in the Second Floor West Gallery at the Parkway Central Library from June 2 – August 30, 2025 . Birds have long captivated humankind with their graceful flight, unique plumage, and enchanting songs. Adapting to natural and built… continue reading Go Birds: Appreciating Our Avian Friends - An Exhibition from Special Collections
By written by Kelly D. June 16, 2025
Queer people and video games have gone hand-in-hand since the days of Pac-Man . Who among us hasn’t made their Sims get gay married? Or dreamt about rescuing Princess Zelda from the clutches of evil? Or built the perfect village on Animal Crossing ? Thankfully, the Free Library of Philadelphia is home not just to books, but video… continue reading Pride in Video Gayming
By written by Collin K.-H. June 16, 2025
The Free Library is pleased to announce that the Rare Book Department in Parkway Central Library will reopen to the public on Monday, June 16 , following the successful completion of a major renovation and HVAC replacement. This essential upgrade provides better climate control to support the long-term preservation of our… continue reading The Rare Book Department Reopens on Monday, June 16
By written by Administrator June 13, 2025
The Free Library of Philadelphia is excited to offer access to the Oxford English Dictionary Online , a historical dictionary and thesaurus providing everything you need for a deep dive into the complex histories of over 500,000 words. In some cases, the information provided by OED Online goes back 1,000 years to the time of Old English. Far… continue reading The Oxford English Dictionary Online
By written by Tyler S. June 12, 2025
Juneteenth is a powerful celebration of freedom, resilience, and putting the "unity" in community. The Free Library is proud to honor this important day with a series of vibrant cultural events for all ages. From storytelling and crafting events to cooking classes and live music, the library offers something for everyone to… continue reading Juneteenth at the Library: Freedom, Culture, and Community
By written by Administrator June 10, 2025
The Free Library's physical and digital shelves have been alive with the excited energy of the impending summer reading season. While patrons check their to-be-read lists and stock up on beach reads, the Library embarks on its flagship Summer of Wonder program, where all ages can track their summertime reading… continue reading What's Philly Reading? May 2025
By written by Bridget G. June 9, 2025
The art and artifacts of Queer women artists archived in the Free Library's Special Collections — specifically, the Print and Picture Collection , the Theatre Collection , and the Children's Literature Research Collection — testify to the existence and artistry of these women and continue to inspire today. … continue reading Queer Women in Free Library Special Collections
By written by Andrew W. June 9, 2025
The Free Library Board of Trustees will be holding its last meeting of FY25 on Thursday, June 12, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The meeting will be held in person in Rooms 405/406/407 at Parkway Central Library (1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103). View the upcoming meeting agenda. Public Comment at Board of Trustees Meetings… continue reading Free Library Board of Trustees Public Meeting on Thursday, June 12 at 4:00 p.m.
By written by Administrator June 9, 2025
On this page, we will have roof and ceiling repair updates on the Richmond Library every two weeks until the library is reopened. The estimated date for the library’s reopening is summer 2025. June 18, 2025 - Interior plaster repair and painting is complete. Cleaning has begun, and the remaining furniture is in the process of moving back… continue reading Richmond Library Construction Updates
By written by Mark G. June 6, 2025 10
