The mission of the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation is to "provide resources and advocacy to advance the mission of The Free Library while stewarding and promoting our special collections for the benefit of all Philadelphians and beyond." If you follow us on social media, you know about the recent Artnet News article titled, "Two Halves of a Medieval Manuscript Page Are Reunited After More Than a Century." It tells the incredible story of Hours of Louis XII, a 15th-century illuminated prayer book created for the king by court painter Jean Bourdichon, and how two halves of a missing image were miraculously reunited. The article notes, "Around 1700, the manuscript ended up in England, where it was pulled apart, its pages dispersed to various collections. Today, only 16 miniatures from the book are known to survive; fragments of it are preserved at the British Library and V&A Museum in London, the Free Library of Philadelphia, and the Louvre in Paris, among other institutions."

The City of Philadelphia is steeped in history, and the Free Library, an important educational and cultural institution, is a haven for significant rare books and special collections. Join us as we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Rare Book Department, and take a moment this October to discover all there is to explore!

Galleries and Daily Tour

Established in 1949, the Free Library’s Rare Book Department is one of the largest public library special collections in the United States. In addition to an incredible and varied assortment of rare books and manuscripts, visitors will find antiques, artifacts, artwork, letters, photographs, and more on display. Visitors are welcome to explore the galleries on their own, housed on the Third Floor of Parkway Central Library, or join a guided tour with a hands-on introduction to some of the rare books and artifacts in the collection. Two annual large-scale exhibitions can be viewed at the William B. Dietrich Gallery, while the Hallway Galleries feature a rotating selection of treasures. Research appointments are also available upon request, or search for over 40,000 items via the Free Library's catalog and digital collections, including:

• Historical Collections
• Manuscripts and Handwriting
• History of the Book
• Children's Books and Illustrators
• English and American Literature

More to Explore

Special Collections enhances the Free Library of Philadelphia's educational mission by curating and making accessible historic materials and offering instructional programs and Exhibitions that promote an understanding of history and culture. In addition to the Rare Book Department, the Parkway Central Library is home to the Edwin A. Fleisher Collection of Orchestral Music, the largest lending library of orchestral performance material in the world, the Chamber Music Collection, and the Drinker Collection of Choral Music. Other Special Collections supported by the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation include:

• The Map Collection (Parkway Central Library, Second Floor)
• The Print and Picture Collection (Parkway Central Library, Second Floor), including the Philadelphiana Collection (Parkway Central Library, Second Floor)
• The Children's Literature Research Collection (Parkway Central Library, Third Floor)
• The Theatre Collection (Parkway Central Library, Third Floor)

An Important Reminder

Climate control is of the utmost importance for rare books and special collections. Therefore, the Third Floor of Parkway Central Library will close this year for the installation of a new HVAC system. While necessary, this closure will disrupt the usual activities of the Rare Book Department, the Children's Literature Research Collection, and the Theatre Collection, including regular in-person programming, tours, and research appointments. The last day to visit will be November 2, 2024. This will allow time to ensure that objects, artwork, and historical fittings are safely secured before construction begins on November 18. Completion of the project is estimated for April 2025. We will keep you updated on the progress and any changes to the timeline in our Winter 2025 newsletter.

Please help us in our mission to collect and preserve cultural heritage materials and make them accessible to the public by donating to the Free Library Fund today, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter/X, and LinkedIn!

The Free Library is one of Philadelphia's most important educational and cultural institutions. While the City of Philadelphia provides public funds for the operations of the Free Library, it is through the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation and the generosity of private funding from individuals, foundations, and corporations that the Free Library can offer many of the Library’s incredible programs and activities that advance literacy, guide learning, inspire curiosity throughout the region, and help deliver on the promise of an equitable future for all of Philadelphia’s children, families, and communities.