Teens often come into McPherson Square Library during the summer months looking for jobs, which inspired the library staff to host their first Teen Job Fair in 2021. Three years later, this has become an annual event. Teens and caregivers are looking for something for youth to do to keep them out of trouble, gain valuable life experience, and make money. However, it's not always easy to find such positions. Often, even when a teen finds a position there is a lot of paperwork and a time crunch that makes following through even more difficult. Hiring youth is not an easy task as it involves ..read more

Languages and Learning is the Free Library of Philadelphia's department for adult education support, connecting patrons seeking Adult Basic Education, English Language Learner, and World Language support to the appropriate resources. There are many reasons that adults continue learning! Whether you want to sharpen your algebra skills or learn to read for the first time, the Free Library is ready to support you. In addition to programs like GED Math at Parkway Central Library or Adult Basic Literacy at Nicetown-Tioga and Lucien E. Blackwell Regional libraries, the Free Library also has sho ..read more

From classics like In Cold Blood and Helter Skelter to recent bestsellers like In Light of All Darkness and If You Tell, readers love true crime. In addition to generating chills and thrills, a good true crime account sheds light on the society and the era in which the crime took place. That’s certainly true of Murder in a Mill Town: Sex, Faith, and the Crime That Captivated a Nation, by Swarthmore history professor Bruce Dorsey, which details the scandal around the 1832 death of a pregnant "factory girl" widely presumed to have been murdered by a Methodist "circuit rider." Dorsey de ..read more

Looking for free and low-cost summer activities that are safe and adult-supervised for children, teens, and families? The 2024 City of Philadelphia Parent and Youth Resource Fair will be held Saturday, April 27 from 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. at the Pennsylvania Convention Center G Hall at Broad and Race Streets. Connect with dozens of City agencies and service providers to learn about their programs, resources, and services. Attendees can: Discover summer jobs for teens and young adults Find a great summer camp or late afternoon/evening activities for your child Connect with mentoring, emotional s ..read more

Baseball: for over a century, the game has been known as "America’s favorite pastime." During the early parts of the 20th century, tuning in to a baseball game on the radio after a long day at work became a ritual of the American working class, beloved by citizens of all races. But while Black citizens loved baseball, the Major and Minor Leagues did not return the sentiment. Following the conclusion of the Civil War and amidst Reconstruction, former Black soldiers formed their own baseball communities in the eastern regions of the United States. Despite the 13th Amendment abolishing ..read more

Primary Election Day is Tuesday, April 23, 2024, and 28 of our neighborhood libraries will serve as designated voting locations. Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Remember: anyone in line by 8:00 p.m. is able to vote — so stay in line! Most Library voting locations will also provide library services on Election Day — a few, however, will be closed for non-voting services due to space constraints. To find information for all of our buildings, visit our Locations page or call 1-833-TALK FLP (825-5357). Of course, we are always open at ..read more

Every April, people all over the world celebrate Autism Acceptance Month! You might’ve heard of this annual event called Autistic Awareness Month before. Thanks to the work of Autistic advocates, the focus has shifted from general awareness and understanding to one of more active acceptance, towards a forward-thinking mindset about autism, putting the voices of Actually Autistic individuals at the forefront.  Autism falls under the neurodiversity umbrella that represents one in five people whose brain works differently, to put it very simply. Being neurodiverse doesn’t mean someone i ..read more

The Free Library’s mission is to advance literacy, guide learning, and inspire curiosity for all Philadelphians. You’re probably familiar with our many branches and departments, along with the incredible resources and programs offered to our communities. Did you know the Free Library has an entire department dedicated to adult learning? Languages and Learning is the Library’s home for adult education! Established in 2019, the Languages and Learning Department started as a physical space at Parkway Central Library where adult learners could access educational materials at an actual Languag ..read more

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 to provide Philadelphia’s youth with skateboarding lessons, where kids can learn all the tips and tricks and experience their own adrenaline rush. Participants aged 10–17 can join us at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center (2101 Cecil B ..read more

National Library Week is April 7–13, 2024, and we encourage everyone to visit the Free Library of Philadelphia to celebrate this year’s theme: Ready, Set, Library! But first, let’s take a look at some local literacy statistics. The Pennsylvania Department of Education reports that 13% of adults in our state lack basic literacy skills. In the city of Philadelphia, that number jumps to 52%. According to Read by 4th, a Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation division, Philly schools rank fourth from the bottom in reading of the 26 big-city districts, and 71% of 4th graders in ..read more