Every year, one of the most anticipated parts of the One Book, One Philadelphia program is the opportunity for Philadelphians to meet an incredible author. And though we're doing things a bit differently this year with an all-virtual events season, we are so excited to welcome Jericho Brown to be a huge part of it! Since his… continue reading Upcoming Virtual Events with One Book Author Jericho Brown (and More!)

By written by Brittanie S.    March 22, 2021   

• One Book, One Philadelphia
• Virtual Programs

Today, on March 10—or Mar10 , if you will—we celebrate everything about the red-and-blue-suspendered plumber with extraordinary jumping abilities and a knack for exciting adventures— Mario ! Mario has been Nintendo 's mascot now for 35 years, after his first appearance as "Jumpman" in the 1981 arcade smash,… continue reading Digital Media Spotlight | MAR10 Day and the World of Video Games

By written by Peter SM    March 10, 2021   

• Tech
• Pop Culture
• Video Games
• Virtual Programs

‘Tis the season for thawing, Shamrock Shakes, and Spring (finally!). It’s also tax season, so we’re hitting you with some hard truths about everyone’s favorite topic: accounting! We spoke with Joey Pfluger from tax and accounting firm Bee, Bergvall & Co. , who are one of the Business Resource and Innovation Center… continue reading Ask an Accountant: Business Edition

By written by Gillian R.    March 8, 2021    1  

• Online Learning
• Tax Information
• Financial Literacy
• Business Resource and Innovation Center
• Business
• Virtual Programs

Join the Adult Literacy Book Club, presented by the Free Library's Languages and Learning Center  and the Center for Literacy . Improve your reading skills while reading and discussing interesting books! One of our book club member's commented that they "loved hearing everyone's reactions to the plot, the character… continue reading The Adult Literacy Book Club’s New Book Selection

By written by Phil K.    March 5, 2021   

• Reading
• Seniors
• Literacy
• English Language Learners
• Languages and Learning
• Virtual Programs

This blog post was written by Becky Shaknovich, Department Head of Parkway Central Library's Children's Department and Field Teen Center . Becky was a member of Cohort 7 of the Skills for Community-Centered Libraries training program. When I began the Skills for Community-Centered Libraries  training in November 2019, I had no… continue reading Storytime Pivots During COVID Times

By written by Community-Centered Libraries    March 3, 2021   

• Teens
• IMLS
• Virtual Programs

Lies. Alternative facts. Demonize and Destroy Your Opponents. Does this sound familiar? Former Senator Joseph R. McCarthy (R-Wisconsin) has been dead for 63 years, but the political tools and techniques that he pioneered are as fresh as today’s headlines. As Americans struggle to understand the long-term impact of a presidential… continue reading Trust No One: Joe McCarthy and the Politics of Fear

By written by Richard L.    March 1, 2021    2  

• History
• Politics
• Virtual Programs

“Give women more power in the government offices if the desire is for peace and prosperity." - Gertrude Bustill Mossell Become inspired by stories of perseverance and accomplishment this Women's History Month, by taking a moment to learn the names Gertrude Bustill Mossell, Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, and Carrie S. Burnham.… continue reading Celebrate Women’s History Month with the Free Library!

By written by Andrew N.    March 1, 2021    1  

• Online Exhibitions
• Women's History Month
• Virtual Programs

by Evan Guerra, LEAP Maker Mentor  Earthdate August 2020...  I crash landed on this planet. I’m in bad need of repairs. My name is Cheerio B. McBoxface. I am a robot, and I am here to bring jokes and affirmations to a pandemic. I’ve heard that there is a robotics club at McPherson Square Library . I wonder if I can go… continue reading Meet Cheerio B. McBoxface, the Free Library's First Interactive Robot!

By written by Administrator    February 18, 2021    3  

• Childrens Programs
• LEAP
• Virtual Programs

The Art Department is now hosting a virtual book and art-making club and we're excited to kick off our next topic! Art Book Club Online: Picturing Information starts Tuesday, February 2, meeting 5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. on Tuesdays  throughout February and March, for a deep dive into the various ways different kinds of artists… continue reading Art Book Club Online

By written by Alina J.    February 2, 2021    4  

• Art
• Ebooks
• Virtual Programs

Updated Wednesday, January 27, 2021 12:20 p.m. The Wednesday, January 27 Hear Me Out event is now SOLD OUT. Navigating social distancing and splintering ideological differences across Pennsylvania has not been an easy feat. Debuting in October 2020 , the Hear Me Out civic dialogue program works to get at the heart of the issues that we face.… continue reading Announcing the Upcoming 'Hear Me Out' Civic Dialogue Line-Up!

By written by Irma Q.    January 19, 2021   

• Community Events
• Virtual Programs
• Diversity Equity and Inclusion

The Free Library’s Winter / Spring 2021 Author Events series is set to begin! As in the fall, all of these events will be virtual and held on Zoom. All events begin at 7:30 p.m. Most are free, and you can find all the information you need to register to view them on our website, freelibrary.org/authorevents . You can also watch almost all… continue reading Author Events Winter / Spring 2021 Schedule

By written by Author Events    January 15, 2021    1  

• Author Events
• Virtual Programs

The South Indian holiday of Pongal is a multi-day harvest festival full of music and food observed by the Tamil and Telugu community, celebrated this year per the Hindu religious calendar, starting on Thursday, January 14 and ending on Sunday, January 17. The festival marks the end of the winter solstice, and the start of the sun's… continue reading Celebrate the South Indian Holiday of Pongal!

By written by Sunita B.    January 12, 2021   

• Holidays
• Music
• Culinary Literacy
• Virtual Programs

While the days of immersing ourselves at an in-person exhibit at a favorite gallery or museum are still out of reach for so many of us, as we continue to follow health guidelines to help manage the spread of COVID-19, online versions include everything from virtual tours to live discussions and interactive, hands-on programming. The Free… continue reading Online Exhibition Experiences to Welcome in the New Year

By written by Suzanna U.    January 8, 2021   

• Exhibitions
• Community Events
• Special Collections
• Virtual Programs
• Voting and Elections

Healthy Communities just wrapped a fall series of A Taste of African Heritage with instructor Paul O. Mims, who recently spoke with Oldways about Cooking, Culture, and Community During Covid .  A Taste of African Heritage (ATOAH) is Oldways’ African diaspora culinary program. ATOAH features naturally delicious vegetarian dishes from… continue reading A Taste of African Heritage for Kwanzaa

By written by Aurora S.    December 15, 2020   

• African American
• Culinary Literacy
• Recipes
• Healthy Communities
• Virtual Programs

The Business Resource and Innovation Center ’s (BRIC) free business resources are accessible anywhere! That means you can conduct business research at your leisure from the comfort of your home. So put on some cozy clothes, grab a caffeinated beverage, and settle in. It’s time to get your research on! If you’ve been… continue reading At Home with BRIC: Take a Deep Dive Into Company and Demographic Research with Reference Solutions

By written by Gillian R.    December 9, 2020   

• Databases
• Business Resource and Innovation Center
• Business
• Virtual Programs

Updated Monday, January 4, 2021 Local author Hallee Adelman is the creator of the Way Past... books series , which helps children learn how to cope with their emotions in a literacy-focused way. Hallee will read Way Past Worried and talk about feeling worried. This story is about a child named Brock. Brock is worried. Way past worried, with his… continue reading Virtual Children’s Author Visit: Hallee Adelman

By written by Becky S.    November 24, 2020    2  

• Childrens Programs
• Childrens Books
• Virtual Programs

Join the Adult Literacy Book Club, presented by the Free Library's Languages & Learning Center and the Center for Literacy , by improving your reading skills while reading and discussing interesting books! Don't have a lot of time to read? No problem. The club only covers a few chapters at each meeting so you will have plenty of… continue reading Introducing the Adult Literacy Book Club!

By written by Phil K.    November 6, 2020   

• Reading
• Literacy
• English Language Learners
• Languages and Learning
• Virtual Programs

The Business Resource and Innovation Center’s (BRIC) free business resources are accessible anywhere! That means you can conduct business research at your leisure from the comfort of your home. So put on some comfy clothes, grab a caffeinated beverage, and settle in. It’s time to get your research on! We’ve been tackling the… continue reading At Home with BRIC: Compiling Free Sales Lists

By written by Gillian R.    November 4, 2020   

• Databases
• Online Learning
• Business Resource and Innovation Center
• Business
• Virtual Programs

The Latin American Book Fair , in partnership with the Culinary Literacy Center , will be presenting Language Through My Kitchen: Latin Cuisine , during a virtual event broadcast on Facebook on Friday, October 16, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m . The idea of this project is to explore the origins of culinary ingredients and to provide the… continue reading Language Through My Kitchen: Latin Cuisine

By written by Mary Marques    October 8, 2020   

• Family Programs
• Languages
• Childrens Books
• Literacy
• Storytime
• Culinary Literacy
• Community
• Virtual Programs
• Immigrant Heritage
• Diversity Equity and Inclusion

Do you know your fellow library patrons? Are you interested in joining an authentic learning space with fellow patrons across Pennsylvania? The Free Library is excited to introduce Hear Me Out : a digital, facilitated dialogue series that connects Pennsylvanians to each other through brave and authentic conversations. In partnership with… continue reading The Free Library Welcomes 'Hear Me Out' Dialogue Series Program!

By written by Irma Q.    September 25, 2020    2  

• Community Events
• Virtual Programs
• Diversity Equity and Inclusion