Our fall line up for Sundays on Stage is here, and it’s packed with old favorites and new acts. This season we will again host live, free performances on Saturdays in the Montgomery Auditorium in Parkway Central Library , and we will close the season with a return of The Nutcracker on Sunday, December 15.  Several familiar… continue reading

By Kayla H.    September 16, 2024   

Since  Parkway Central Library  opened in 1927, patrons have had free and open access to its rich and unique collections, expanding services, and professionally trained and welcoming staff. The robust programs and collections available are impressive, but some patrons may not be familiar with all of them. To promote… continue reading

By Naomi S.    September 16, 2024   

The Free Library of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Zoo are two of the City of Brotherly Love’s oldest and most respected institutions, so it’s only fitting that they are teaming up in the coming months to present Animal Tales at Charles L. Durham Library . One Thursday per month from October 2024 through April 2025, a… continue reading

By Anthony T.    September 16, 2024   

In 2023, KABOOM! , the nonprofit dedicated to ending playspace inequity, brought playful learning and literacy organizations together to co-create a Story Trail — an interactive trail with story panels like a book — with McPherson Square Library ’s community.  This week, the storyboards and… continue reading

By Tuesday C.    September 6, 2024   

Math is all around us, and it’s never too early to introduce your little ones to basic math concepts. Babies and toddlers are naturally curious and can grasp foundational math ideas through play and everyday activities. By incorporating simple and fun math activities into your daily routine, you can help your child develop a… continue reading

By Kimberly G.    September 5, 2024   

The Free Library of Philadelphia’s Summer of Wonder program is a reading challenge for all ages that allows participants to attend fun Free Library events, find new books to read, and explore activities to stay engaged throughout the summer. Simply sign up at your neighborhood library to get started, or register online with… continue reading

By Free Library Foundation    July 2, 2024   

Happy Children’s Book Week, Philadelphia! Founded in 1919 — thus marking its 105th anniversary this year — Children’s Book Week is the nation’s longest-running national literacy initiative. This year, it falls between  May 6–12 . It has at its core the belief that children’s books… continue reading

By Jennifer E.    May 3, 2024   

An adrenaline rush is defined as a physical feeling of intense excitement and stimulation caused by the release of adrenaline from the adrenal glands. That’s gnarly! Do you know what else is gnarly? Learning how to skateboard! The Cecil B. Moore Library in partnership with The Philadelphia Skateboard Academy joined forces… continue reading

By Brianna V.    April 10, 2024   

The exhibition Into the Night features two paintings by N. C. Wyeth, The Admiral's Ghost and Snow-Drop . The first's title is somewhat explanatory ( It's a ghost! ), but the second is more confusing. Who or what is Snow-Drop? There's a good chance that you already know the answer — just under a… continue reading

By Chris B.    April 2, 2024   

Parenting is a journey filled with surprises, and toddlers have a remarkable knack for turning the ordinary into the extraordinary . One such memorable moment in our household occurred when our little guy unleashed his inner Picasso on the living room wall. While I met the moment with amusement, my husband, on the other… continue reading

By Kimberly G.    February 26, 2024   

Spread the word: Sundays on Stage is back this spring! This season we will host live performances on Saturdays in the Montgomery Auditorium at Parkway Central Library . After nearly four years of virtual performances, Sundays on Stage hosted our first in-person event featuring Keepers of Culture at Wynnefield Library in December 2023!… continue reading

By Kayla H.    February 20, 2024    6

Lunar New Year is celebrated in some parts of Asia, and is important to many Asian immigrants and communities around the world. Lunar New Year is called Chūnjié (Spring Festival) in China and Taiwan, Seollal in Korea, and Tết in Vietnam. This year, the Lunar New Year is celebrated on Saturday, February 10 , and 2024 is the Year… continue reading

By Megan J.    February 6, 2024   

Bright and early on January 22, while many of us were still sleeping, breakfasting, or commuting, librarians and other youth literature enthusiasts gathered excitedly in person at the Baltimore Convention Center, or virtually on the webcast, for the announcement of the American Library Association ’s Youth Media… continue reading

By Jennifer E.    January 26, 2024   

“Dance with me, baby, baby dance with me!” If you’ve ever found yourself enraptured and swaying to the rhythm with your little one, you’re onto something way more profound than just a sweet moment. Dancing with your baby is not only about fun and laughter; it’s a powerful tool that nurtures both… continue reading

By Kimberly G.    January 8, 2024   

For the last year, the shared offices of the Children's Literature Research Collection and the Map Collection have had a consistent litmus test for visitors. When a new visitor enters (either a researcher or a staff member), almost everyone has said one of two things: 1. What are those? 2. You have The Letter People! I share… continue reading

By Chris B.    January 8, 2024   

The Parkway Central Children’s Department has a fun tradition of giving our favorite books very specific awards crafted just for them, and here they are! These are our best reads of 2023. What did you enjoy reading this year?   Naomi S. - Children’s Librarian   Naomi's Awards   Most 2023 This award goes… continue reading

By Administrator    December 27, 2023    1

Pregnancy is an amazing journey filled with excitement, wonder, and the anticipation of meeting your little one for the first time. Even before birth, it’s a time when parents typically start thinking about how they can provide the best possible environment for their baby’s overall well-being and development. Did you know… continue reading

By Kimberly G.    November 6, 2023   

Join the Central Children’s Department  on Thursday, October 26 from 3:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m. (rain date: Friday, October 27) for our yearly Costume Parade! Bookmark the event on the Free Library's website event page or on Facebook . The Central Children's Costume Parade is an annual Fall event started… continue reading

By Liz G.    October 18, 2023   

Reading Promise Week is October 7–15, 2023! Philly’s fourth annual family reading festival is back and bigger than ever. Over 70 free family events are giving away 16,000 children’s books citywide!  If you haven’t heard, Reading Promise Week is a festival on a mission. Each year, community leaders raise… continue reading

By Administrator    October 4, 2023   

Is your family excited to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month with the Free Library? We are too! The mid-month heritage celebration is set from September 15–October 15  in order to include the Independence Days of Belize, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua. But of course, the… continue reading

By Emily S.    September 15, 2023