Summer is the perfect time to explore the world around us, to play and be active, and to learn about new things for fun! This summer, students entering grades 2–6 will have the chance to enjoy all the best parts of summer while learning about five different health scientist careers with GSK and the Franklin Institute ’s… continue reading

By Kayla H.    June 2, 2025   

What is your favorite summertime activity in Philadelphia? Do you hike through Wissahickon Park? Do you spend all day at your local Parks and Rec. swimming pool with your friends? Do you read new books at your neighborhood library? Whether you keep it local or jetset to places near or far,  Summer of Wonder  with the Free… continue reading

By Administrator    May 19, 2025    2

The Ants on a Log Library Tour is coming to many neighborhood Free Library locations  this spring, bringing feel-good, fun live music for the whole family! Ants on a Log plays music for children and other childlike people. Their award-winning music centers positivity, social justice, and silliness and has been featured widely in… continue reading

By Administrator    April 21, 2025    1

Get ready for an exciting adventure as we bring the magic of storytelling to life at our Family Bilingual Spanish/English Storytime ! As part of the Languages of Philadelphia series, this special event celebrates bilingualism, cultural diversity, and the power of stories to connect us across borders. When: Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at… continue reading

By Mary Marques    February 26, 2025   

Ramadan, Islam’s holiest month, begins on February 28 this year. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Muslim lunar calendar and all over the world Muslim families celebrate with daily fasting and prayer. For families that observe the holiday and for those who want to learn more about it, here are four books to share with your… continue reading

By Rachel F.    February 26, 2025   

The first week of February is Children’s Authors and Illustrators Week, an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of the writers and artists who play an integral part in the literacy journey of children worldwide. Philadelphia’s vibrant literary community has its share of wonderful and talented… continue reading

By Anthony T.    February 4, 2025   

What did we read in 2024?  From "Most 2024" to "Terrible Schools and Awesome Adventures," Parkway Central Children’s Department has all the extremely specific book awards you never knew you needed!   Cedar (he/him) - Library Assistant   Cedar's Awards Retellings of Fairytales, Folklore, and… continue reading

By Administrator    December 19, 2024   

It’s almost time to bundle up warm and join the Free Library for festive storytimes at the Christmas Village in LOVE Park! Every year, LOVE Park is transformed into an authentic German-style outdoor holiday market, presented by Bank of America. With sparkling lights, delicious food, hot beverages, and unique vendors,… continue reading

By Kayla H.    December 2, 2024    1

Children’s Book Week, a “celebration of books for young people and the joy of reading,” was established in 1919 and is “the longest-running national literacy initiative in the country,” as noted by Every Child a Reader . Taking place biannually in the spring and fall and administered by the… continue reading

By Free Library Foundation    November 1, 2024   

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    2

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