Michael Solomonov will sign copies of his new cookbook 'Israeli Soul' tonight
Chef Michael Solomonov and Steven Cook, CookNSolo restaurant partners and co-authors of the new cookbook Israeli Soul, will be at the Free Library of Philadelphia's Parkway Central branch tonight. They...
View ArticlePhilly chess teacher wins $10,000 on 'Today' show
A West Philadelphia man who teaches chess to elementary school students won $10,000 on Tuesday morning’s The Today Show.
View ArticleTom Hanks will be in Philadelphia on Halloween night
On Halloween, most people will be handing out candy to trick-or-treaters, attending a costume party or binging scary movies, but Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks has other plans. The Hollywood superstar...
View ArticleAttend a Lunar New Year celebration at the Rail Park
Welcome in the Year of the Pig at a big Lunar New Year celebration on Saturday, Feb. 9. The event will be held at the Rail Park in Callowhill. There will be food trucks, calligraphy lessons and a lion...
View ArticleWhat you can borrow at Philly libraries besides books: baking pans, blood...
The Free Library of Philadelphia's branches have some unusual and unexpected resources of their own available to anyone with a library card. Public libraries have transformed into more than just quiet...
View ArticleParkway Central Library opening 41,000 square feet of new space
On Friday, April 12, the Free Library of Philadelphia will open 41,000 square feet of new public space in the Parkway Central Library on Vine Street. It's the largest renovation since Parkway Central...
View ArticleBrews & Views at Free Library to return for third season
The Free Library of Philadelphia on Vine Street is bringing back its rooftop beer garden for another season of Brews & Views. The beer garden will be open Tuesday, May 21, through Thursday, May 23,...
View ArticleTouring book truck to stop at Free Library this week
A touring bus tour called Poetry to the People bringing accessible books and poetry to underserved communities is making a stop at the Free Library of Philadelphia this Friday.
View ArticleWatch BalletX perform excerpt from 'The Little Prince' on Free Library rooftop
On Friday, June 28, BalletX to perform free show on rooftop of Free Library of Philadelphia's Parkway Central branch.
View ArticleThis weekend includes ice cream, fireworks, outdoor movies and more
Things to do in Philadelphia this weekend, June 28-30, include a Wawa Welcome America fireworks show, The Philly Ice Cream Scoop, Cinema in the Cemetery and The Pynk Affair at Yards. Also, at the Shore...
View ArticleRooftop beer garden at Free Library of Philadelphia back for fall
The pop-up beer garden on the roof of the Free Library of Philadelphia's Parkway Central branch will return for the fall season. Brews & Views will be back Tuesday, Sept. 17, through Thursday,...
View ArticleFree Library to display Shakespeare first folio in rare book department
It was recently discovered that a Shakespeare first folio in the Free Library of Philadelphia's rare book department likely belonged to the English poet John Milton.
View Article10 things to do in Philadelphia this weekend, Sept. 20-22
This weekend in Philadelphia is filled with fall activities, including three Oktoberfest celebrations. It's also the first weekend of "Terror Behind the Walls" and Candytopia. For all the details on...
View ArticlePhilly councilwoman supports eliminating Free Library late fees
Philadelphia City Councilwoman Cherelle Parker would like to see an end to late fees imposed on overdue books at the Free Library of Philadelphia.
View ArticleTommy Orange's 'There There' selected for 2020 One Book One Philadelphia
Tommy Orange's "There there," which follows the lives of 12 characters from Native communities in California, was selected for this year's One Book One Philadelphia program.
View ArticleFree Library showing advance screening of HBO's 'His Dark Materials'
The Free Library of Philadelphia will screen the first episode of HBO's "His Dark Materials," on Saturday, Oct. 26. The show is based on the popular book series by Philip Pullman that includes "The...
View ArticleFree Library's new 'Experience Pass' grants free entry to museums, historical...
The Free Library's brand new "Experience Pass" service turns a Free Library card into a digital pass which grants free access to a dozen current participating art museums, historical sites, and...
View ArticleFree Library of Philadelphia eliminates late fees for overdue books
The Free Library of Philadelphia is saying goodbye to overdue fees. The measure was approved by the library's board of trustees in a vote on Wednesday.
View ArticlePhiladelphia announces student meal sites, rec centers, Free Library closures
Philadelphia officials announced the closure of Free Libraries and the locations of designated meal sites for students home from school at a briefing Saturday, March 14. There are now four confirmed...
View ArticlePhilly librarians petition against National Guard being housed in city branches
Employees of the Free Library of Philadelphia launched a petition opposing the housing of Pennsylvania National Guard members within its branches, saying doing so runs contrary to its support of the...
View ArticlePulitzer Prize winner Colson Whitehead cancels reading at Free Library of...
Pulitzer prize-winning author Colson Whitehead and other speakers have canceled upcoming events at the Free Library of Philadelphia, citing Black employees' recent critique of management. Workers...
View ArticleFree Library director resigns amid accusations of workplace discrimination
Free Library of Philadelphia President and Director Siobhan Reardon resigned from her position of 12 years Thursday amid accusations of racial discrimination within the public library system. Black...
View ArticleSelect Philadelphia Free Library locations beginning to offer limited...
Free Library of Philadelphia locations are remaining closed to the public due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but several neighborhood branches are now offering limited in-person services to patrons. Those...
View ArticleFree Library of Philadelphia taps interim director
The Free Library of Philadelphia has appointed Leslie Walker as interim director of the city’s public library system. Walker, who has served as the Free Library’s chief of staff since joining the...
View ArticleFree Library of Philadelphia to continue offering limited services despite...
All Free Library of Philadelphia locations will have to shut down to the public by Friday after city officials enacted new restrictions to slow the spread of the coronavirus. But the city’s public...
View ArticleOne Book, One Philadelphia picks poetry collection as its 2021 selection
One Book, One Philadelphia has chosen a book of poetry for 2021. "The Tradition" by Jericho Brown is a Pulitzer Prize-winning collection of poems that explores Blackness, queerness, masculinity,...
View ArticleFree Library of Philadelphia to expand in-person services after two-month...
As many as 20 Free Library of Philadelphia locations across the city will reopen to the public on Tuesday after being closed for two months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Philly's public library system...
View ArticleAdvocate group rallies to increase Free Library of Philadelphia budget beyond...
The Friends of the Free Library of Philadelphia want city officials to allot another $15 million to the library's budget for the 2022 fiscal year. The investment would let libraries hire employees,...
View ArticleNew Philly library director to take charge in aftermath of discrimination...
The Free Library of Philadelphia has selected Kelly Richards as its director and president. Richards brings more than three decades of library services experience, primarily in Michigan and Nevada. His...
View ArticleFree Library of Philadelphia's 'Books and Cooks' will feature cookie...
The Free Library of Philadelphia will host "Books and Cooks: Family Cookie Decorating, Read Alouds and Fun!" on Dec. 22 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Parkway Central Library. The event will allow families...
View ArticleFree Library of Philadelphia names Airea D. Matthews as city's newest poet...
Airea D. Matthews is Philadelphia's new poet laureate. Her two-year term began on New Year's Day. The head of the poetry department at Bryn Mawr College, Matthews is an award-winning poet and author of...
View ArticleOne Book, One Philadelphia selects Quiara Alegría Hudes' 'My Broken Language'...
Quiara Alegría Hudes' 'My Broken Language' is the selection for the 2022 One Book, One Philadelphia program. Hudes' memoir tells the story of her growing up and finding her voice in a Puerto Rican...
View ArticleSEPTA campaign seeks to improve child literacy rates through interactive...
The 'Come Aboard the Reading Promise' campaign was rolled out on Wednesday across SEPTA's subway and bus system in Philadelphia as part of an effort to improve the city's child literacy rates. The...
View ArticleMuseum of the American Revolution to host free classes for elementary school...
The Museum of the American Revolution and the Free Library of Philadelphia are hosting free classes this summer at libraries around Philadelphia. "Revolution at the Library" aims to engage elementary...
View ArticleCelebrate Kwanzaa in Philly with kinara lightings, a virtual cooking class,...
Celebrate Kwanzaa with kinara lightings, crafts, storytelling, and a cooking class in Philadelphia from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1. The African American cultural holiday is inspired by fruit harvest...
View ArticleHow to use Kanopy, the streaming service that comes with your Free Library card
Kanopy, a streaming service, is now available with a Free Library of Philadelphia card. Documentaries, classic and international films and children's shows like Sesame Street are available on the...
View ArticleCelebrate Women's History Month with special programs at Philly museums and...
Celebrate Women's History Month with author discussions, special programming, tours and craft workshops at Philadelphia's museums, historical attractions and libraries this March. Visit the Museum of...
View ArticleQuestlove to discuss his children's book 'The Rhythm of Time' at the Free...
Questlove and S.A. Cosby will discuss their children's book, 'The Rhythm of Time,' at the Free Library of Philadelphia's main branch on Vine Street on Sunday, April 16. The time travel adventure novel,...
View ArticleCherry blossoms and beers in the park: Your weekend guide to things to do in...
This Friday, April 14 through Sunday, April 16, catch movies at the Philadelphia Film Society's SpringFest or head to Azalea Garden for Parks on Tap. The cherry blossom festival also returns to...
View ArticleNew limited-edition Free Library card celebrates 50 years of hip-hop
The Free Library of Philadelphia has unveiled a new, limited-edition library card honoring the city's hip-hop culture. Philly artist Akinseye Brown created the design, commissioned to coincide with the...
View ArticleFree ways to beat the Philly heat as summer temperatures climb
If it feels like it’s hotter than ever this summer, well, that’s because it is.
View ArticleChildren can listen to Revolutionary War stories at Philly libraries this summer
Revolution at the Library is returning to eight Free Library of Philadelphia branches this summer through a partnership with the Museum of the American Revolution. Elementary school students can hear...
View ArticlePhilly's Welcoming Week celebrates immigrant communities with cultural...
Philadelphia's Welcoming Week runs from Sept. 8-17 and features cultural festivals, classes, markets and other events focused on promoting unity and raising awareness about the contributions made by...
View ArticleFree Library of Philadelphia to adjust hours, open Saturdays at all branches
The Free Library of Philadelphia will revise its hours beginning Monday, Oct. 16 and plans to open Saturdays at all of its branches in the near future. Saturday hours will resume once the Free Library...
View Article10 Free Library branches are set to resume Saturday hours
The Free Library of Philadelphia is restoring Saturday hours at 10 branches across the city, over three years after all locations cut weekend service due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The initial locations...
View ArticleThe Free Library to resume Saturday hours at 12 more branches
The Free Library of Philadelphia is adding Saturday hours at 12 branches on Jan. 6, 2024. At that point, nearly half of the library's 54 branches will offer weekend service – with more expected to add...
View ArticleFree Library community cookbook shares recipes from River Wards residents
In December, the Free Library released a community cookbook featuring over 80 recipes from residents of Kensington, Fairhill and the River Wards. Librarians who worked on the book say it documents what...
View ArticlePhilly expat and best-selling author Kiley Reid explores pettiness and money...
Best-selling author Kiley Reid will debut her second novel 'Come and Get It' on Jan. 30. Her first book, 'Such a Fun Age,' was set in Philadelphia and may soon become a movie or TV show created by Lena...
View ArticleReaders can pick up free banned books from Black authors through the Little...
Little Free(dom) Libraries will give away 1,500 banned books by Black authors throughout February in honor of Black History Month. The initiative is a joint effort from the Free Library of...
View ArticleFree Library picks 'True Biz' as this year's One Book, One Philadelphia...
'True Biz' by Sara Novic is the 2024 One Book, One Philadelphia pick, the Free Library announced Thursday. The best-selling novel is set in a high school for deaf students. All programming will include...
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