Posts in “rare-book-department” (63)
Blog Articles
The Free Library’s popular rooftop beer garden series, Brews & Views , held in conjunction with Brûlée Catering , is headed back to the Parkway Central Library for a… continue reading The Free Library’s Rooftop Beer Gardens Are Back!
By written by Kate C. September 28, 2018
Hypnosis, using its power to heal or influence others, has captured our public imagination long ago. It is a popular and often misunderstood technique that has been used for a variety of things,… continue reading Hypnosis & Your Health
By written by Joe S. September 21, 2018
In a world of "fake news" and "alternate truths", the importance of critical thinking is more important than ever. Educators and librarians have replaced old-school teaching… continue reading Back to School, but Not Old School: Information and Primary Source Literacy
By written by Joe S. September 12, 2018
Philadelphians and people worldwide will eventually be able to view and download entire Islamic manuscripts, consisting of both images and texts, from the Free Library of Philadelphia’s… continue reading Updates From the Manuscripts of the Muslim World Project
By written by Joe S. September 5, 2018
A recent article and video at the University of Pennsylvania's Penn Today highlights the work taking place to digitize all of the medieval manuscripts at Philadelphia area… continue reading Bringing Philadelphia's Rare Manuscripts to the World
By written by Janine P. August 20, 2018
Want to explore the outdoors? Start inside—here at the Free Library! Now through September 15, the Free Library of Philadelphia, with an exciting new exhibition and programs, is your pathway… continue reading A Field Guide to Exciting Programs and Special Exhibitions at the Free Library!
By written by Kalela W. August 2, 2018 2
When I first found out that we had a James Bond collection in the Rare Book Department , I was so surprised. James Bond amongst medieval manuscripts and cuneiform tablets—how the heck did… continue reading How 007 Got His Name
By written by Karen K. May 16, 2018 3
Throughout Spring and Summer, every corner of the Free Library of Philadelphia will be taking inspiration from In Our Nature: Flora and Fauna of the Americas - an exhibition taking place in our… continue reading The City of Arborly Love: Flora, Fauna, and Free Trees at Parkway Central Library!
By written by Adam F. March 27, 2018 3
The Free Library's Rare Book Department prides itself on making historical and beatiful artifacts available to the general public. An award of $500,000 from the Council on Library and… continue reading Rare Book Department Awarded Digitization Grant for Muslim-World Artifacts
By written by Julie B. January 11, 2018 4
Come join us in the Rare Book Department for our newest exhibition, where you will discover a world of books big, small, round, long, clay, flat, wearable, and more! As you make your way through… continue reading Big and Small, Books for All: An Exhibition Open Now in the Rare Book Department at Parkway Central Library
By written by Grace D. November 2, 2017
Much has been written in academic journals about the need to increase access to special collections in public libraries, museums, and universities. This topic is particularly relevant to the … continue reading Traveling Treasures: A Special Collection Worth Touching
By written by Joe S. May 5, 2017
His wasn’t an auspicious beginning and his end remains shrouded in mystery... 208 years ago today, Edgar Allan Poe was born to actors David Poe Jr. and Elizabeth Arnold Hopkins Poe, in… continue reading Celebrate Poe's Life with Our Rare Book Collection
By written by Allison F. January 19, 2017 1
Philadelphia is a wild and weird city. There’s so much to love, to hate, to love to hate, and to hate to love. There’s also so much that we, as every day Philadelphians, have somehow… continue reading Philadelphia: City of the Uncanny and the Arcane
By written by Sarah M. January 5, 2017
To celebrate the landmark papal visit to Philadelphia, the Rare Book Department at Parkway Central Library has opened a new exhibition of rare religious texts. Running through January 30,… continue reading Sacred Stories: The World's Religious Traditions
By written by Janine P. August 31, 2015
Purim is celebrated every year on the 14th of the Hebrew month of Adar. It is a day of feasting and rejoicing, commemorating the deliverance of the Jewish people from a plot to annihilate… continue reading Purim and a Medieval Cutting in the Free Library of Philadelphia
By written by Joe S. March 4, 2015
bardolatry n. idolatry or excessive admiration of William Shakespeare 1 There is an exhibition going on in the Rare Book Department right now that you really need to see. It’s called… continue reading Bardolatry in the Rare Book Department
By written by Janine P. April 9, 2014
The doorbell rings. I walk through the hallway to answer it. Although I’ve done this walk repeatedly over the years, this time something is different. This one book catches the corner of my… continue reading A Book Rediscovered
By written by Joe S. October 3, 2013 2
By Edward G. Pettit The conviviality of the Dickensian world is nowhere more apparent than in Dickens’s Christmas books and stories. From Mr Pickwick celebrating at Dingley Dell to… continue reading A celebration of the Victorian conviviality of Charles Dickens
By written by Janine P. December 10, 2012
This is the first of many blog posts about The Borneman Pennsylvania German Manuscript Collection, which has been part of the Rare Book Department at the Free Library of Philadelphia (FLP) since… continue reading The Borneman Pennsylvania German Manuscript Collection Soon Available Online
By written by Janine P. March 9, 2012
Yesterday marked 200 years since the death of Elizabeth Arnold Hopkins Poe (1787–1811), mother of Edgar Allan Poe. Edgar was just 2 years-old when his mother died. Born in… continue reading Eliza Poe
By written by Janine P. December 9, 2011 2