By Tuesday C., Kate G., and Sara P. Hola, bonjour, dzien dobry, ni hao! Welcome to the Kensington / Fairhill / Riverwards Community Cookbook : a treasure showcasing the cultural diversity of our neighborhoods. Food is a great tool for connecting people, and the Free Library of Philadelphia has historically promoted literacy through… continue reading The Kensington / Fairhill / Riverwards Cookbook: A North Philly Community's Labor of Love

By written by Administrator    January 24, 2024    5  

• Languages
• Culinary Literacy
• Cooking
• Community

The Free Library is pleased to announce the addition of three full-time social workers to its Social Services roster. The newly formed Social Services team will provide open office hours in neighborhood libraries, lead public programs, support frontline staff through professional development, and connect patrons to… continue reading Social Services Offered by the Free Library

By written by Administrator    January 8, 2024   

• Business Resource and Innovation Center
• Community
• Neighborhood Libraries
• Library Resources
• Social Services

The holidays are a great time to support local businesses! No matter who you're shopping for this holiday season, Philly's commercial corridors are the perfect place to check off your list. What is a commercial corridor? Whether you live in South Philly or the Far Northeast, you are most likely near at least one commercial corridor.… continue reading Shop Small in Philly for the Holidays

By written by Birch M.    December 12, 2023   

• Holidays
• Recommendations
• Business Resource and Innovation Center
• Business
• Community

Thanksgiving is only a week away! In the spirit of the holiday, here are some local Thanksgiving-related community events that include turkey drives, giveaways, and free Thanksgiving meals for seniors, families in need, and people experiencing homelessness. Note that many of these are first-come, first-served events and that some require… continue reading Local Thanksgiving Food Drives and Shared Meals for Those in Need

By written by Bridget G.    November 16, 2023    2  

• Community Events
• Holidays
• Community
• Social Services

The Free Library of Philadelphia is excited to announce the return of six-day service at 10 of our neighborhood library locations throughout the city. Saturday hours are being rolled out in waves, so more libraries will be added soon. Beginning November 18, 2023 , the following branches will be open on Saturdays from… continue reading Six-Day Service Beginning at 10 Neighborhood Free Library Branches

By written by Administrator    November 15, 2023    9  

• Community
• Neighborhood Libraries
• Free Library Announcements

October is National Women’s Small Business Month! Women business owners and entrepreneurs are invaluable to our economy and necessary for it to flourish and thrive. This month, and all months, we celebrate the women who strengthen our communities by providing the goods and services on which we rely.  Want to learn more from women… continue reading Women-Authored Books on Business and Entrepreneurship

By written by Birch M.    October 16, 2023   

• Recommendations
• Business Resource and Innovation Center
• Business
• Community

Did you know that Pennsylvania makes it easy for you to register to vote? You can find voter registration forms at public libraries, state park offices, state-run Veterans Homes, and many other places. This is part of a big effort to help the roughly 1.7 million Pennsylvanians who can vote but haven't registered yet. If you want to vote in… continue reading Don't Forget to Register to Vote by Monday, October 23

By written by Bridget G.    October 12, 2023   

• Politics
• Community
• Library Resources
• Voting and Elections

October is National Women’s Small Business Month. This month we’re highlighting 15 women-owned small businesses in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas. From board games, to books, to baked goods, to graphic design, these women-owned businesses have it all! Read on to discover some amazing businesses worth supporting this and… continue reading 15 Philly Small Businesses To Support For National Women-Owned Small Business Month

By written by Birch M.    October 10, 2023    1  

• Recommendations
• Business Resource and Innovation Center
• Business
• Community

Reading and discussing books is powerful! The connections we make with stories, with ourselves, and with others can bring us closer together and help us understand more about those who experience the world differently than we do. At the Philadelphia City Institute Library this fall, we're launching a new program for curious,… continue reading Join Something New: The Intergenerational Teen Book Club at PCI Library

By written by Erin H.    September 19, 2023    1  

• Events at the Library
• Teens
• Community
• Book Clubs

If you receive a random phone call from an individual who says they are with the library and that you owe money: this is a scam . Hang up the call immediately and block the number if possible. Remember, the Free Library of Philadelphia will never ask you to give out your financial information over the phone.  The Free… continue reading Warning: Library Scam Phone Call

By written by Administrator    August 23, 2023   

• Community

August is National Black Business Month! This August, we are highlighting a handful of Philly-based, Black-owned small businesses that are definitely worth checking out. From books, to coffee, to art, and even professional coaching: Black business owners have it all! Read on to discover just some of these fantastic local shops and… continue reading Celebrating National Black Business Month: 20 Black-Owned Philly Gems

By written by Birch M.    August 2, 2023    2  

• Recommendations
• Business
• Community

Residents can get out of the heat and into an air-conditioned space at a neighborhood library with access to books, computers, wireless internet, and other library amenities. The following neighborhood library locations will serve as cooling centers from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday July 27, Friday July 28, and Saturday July 29,… continue reading Cooling Centers Open at Select Libraries from July 27–29, 2023

By written by Bridget G.    July 26, 2023    1  

• Cooling Centers
• Community
• Neighborhood Libraries

The Free Library of Philadelphia is thrilled to announce Saturday hours at 10 of our neighborhood library branches for the summer. Beginning Saturday, July 8 to August 26, 2023 , the following branches will be open from 10 a.m.–5 p.m : Cecil B. Moore Library 2320 Cecil B. Moore Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19121-2927 215-685-2766… continue reading 10 Neighborhood Free Library Branches Will Be Open on Saturdays

By written by Administrator    June 29, 2023    37  

• Community
• Neighborhood Libraries
• Free Library Announcements

Due to unsafe air quality levels we have canceled tonight's event. Following the recommendation of the Philadelphia Department of Public Health to limit outdoor activities, we have made the difficult decision to cancel this evening's Community Impact Awards, which were planned to be held on the terrace at Parkway Central Library. The… continue reading The Community Impact Awards Are Canceled Due to Unsafe Air Quality Levels

By written by Administrator    June 8, 2023   

• Awards
• Events at the Library
• Literacy
• Community

Early in our Interior Chinatown unit, my co-teacher and I talked to our students about the idea of interior and exterior — an important contrast that structures Charles Yu ’s novel. What did we mean by interior and exterior? In the book, the interior is associated with lived experience, personal perspectives, and a deep… continue reading Teaching Interior Chinatown — With Appropriate Supports

By written by Administrator    April 10, 2023    2  

• One Book, One Philadelphia
• History
• School
• Community
• Racism
• Teachers
• Students

It’s National First Responders Day! Every day is a great opportunity to honor the people in our community who have dedicated their lives to helping others in times of distress. These people are invaluable to society, and they deserve our recognition and praise. My uncle and his son (my cousin) are current firefighters for Philadelphia and… continue reading National First Responders Day

By written by Kamilah C.    October 28, 2022   

• Careers
• Holidays
• Community
• Job Seekers

A few years ago, I had a bit of a crazy thought. In 2020, I considered running for office in my town. I didn’t know how far I should aim. Mayor? Councilwoman? I felt I needed to get involved. I felt some of the decisions that were being made were the result of longstanding relationships and backdoor handshakes. I suppose that is what… continue reading National Civics Day

By written by Kamilah C.    October 27, 2022   

• Elections
• Community

Little Free Libraries have been around since the early 2000’s and many are familiar with their communal “leave a book, take a book” nature. In 2016, Portland artists Erinn Kathryn and Jen LaMastra created the Little Free Gallery Project. Their project temporarily converted twenty Little Free Libraries into art galleries for a… continue reading The Big Deal about Small Art: No Small Artists, Only Small Artworks

By written by Jeanette C.    August 29, 2022    1  

• Art
• Free Library Staff
• Community

Philadelphians, we need to talk! Join your neighbors at eight Free Library of Philadelphia libraries between May 23 and June 30th, to watch and discuss individual episodes of the award winning PBS documentary series Philly D.A. . We seek to learn from you, and from each other the answers to several pressing questions. Do you and your neighbors… continue reading Let's Talk: Philly D.A.

By written by Adam F.    May 12, 2022    1  

• Television
• Politics
• Community
• Racism
• Law

In 2026, the country will commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence. All eyes will be on Philadelphia as we recognize the historic events that occurred here in 1776. The Free Library of Philadelphia is proud to be a part of PHILADELPHIA250 , the nonprofit organizing the City of Philadelphia’s 250th, and its growing… continue reading Get Ready: 2026 Starts Now!

By written by Janine P.    April 8, 2022   

• Remembrances
• Nonprofit
• Community
• History of Philadelphia