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Tue, December 11, 2012
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The Free Library of Philadelphia has released the newest version of our mobile site!
The new mobile site (version 3.0) uses responsive web design and provides an optimal viewing experience on all browsers and most mobile devices, regardless of screen size. The site was built using jQuery mobile framework and HTML5.
FLP Mobile Website 3.0 Features:
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New layout design for easier access and downloading speeds.
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My Account - Sign in to your account from anywhere, all you need is your library card and PIN number.
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Find a Location - Quickly see what's open Today, This Morning, This Evening, This Saturday, search branch locations by zip code, or view entire list of branch locations in alphabetical order.
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Calendar of Events - See what’s going on at Parkway Central Library and all branch libraries, or browse by event subject.
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Databases - Use our subscription databases to find magazine, journal, and reference articles, improve your resume, find a job, study a new language, take practice SAT tests, or research the topic of your choice.
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Podcasts - Download and listen to more than 900 podcasts, recorded at various author events and lectures that take place at the Parkway Central Library.
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Digital Downloads - View our resources for you to download ebooks, audiobooks, music, videos and much more!
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Blog - Read our blog with posts from our own library staff on a variety of topics
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Book Reviews - Reviews from our catalog by our librarians and staff.
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Digital Collections - Browse through most recent images from our ever-expanding digital collections.
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Support The Library - You can show your support for all of the important services the Library provides by becoming a supporter of the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation.
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Social Media - View quick links to our social networking sites.
Just like on the full version of our website, you can access your Free Library account, search our extensive catalog, find the nearest branch location, view our calendar of upcoming events, download podcasts and ebooks, read the latest book reviews, and view the latest additions to our ever expanding digital collections.
We're always striving to give you the best user experience we can and hope to offer additional features designed especially for mobile devices in the near future!
http://www.freelibrary.org/mobile
Tags:
Events at the Library,
Reviews,
Support,
databases,
digital collections,
ebooks,
mobile,
music,
podcasts,
tech
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Mobile site 3.0 on iPad |
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Mobile site 3.0 Podcasts Menu on iPad |
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Mobile site 3.0 on iPhone |
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Fri, July 20, 2012
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The Library of Congress, in celebration of National Book Festival has an exhibit featuring "Books That Shaped America." They curated a list of 88 books which they feel are influential and shaped our nation. The list is below and we provide links so you can view the books in our catalog and hopefully read.
So what do you think of the list? What book would you add to the list?
Tags:
Reviews
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Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving book cover (image from The Library of Congress) |
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Alcoholics Anonymous book cover (image from The Library of Congress) |
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Beloved by Toni Morrison book cover (image from The Library of Congress) |
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Wed, February 22, 2012
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As I’m sure many of my fellow readers do, too, I have an extensive and ever-rotating list of favorite authors. I look forward to reading their new works and enjoy exploring their back lists of novels and stories. Frequently, I’ll discover a new writer I enjoy and immediately want to read everything he or she has ever written. (Bonus: The Library feeds my addiction, for free!)
At the same time, I have a very finite, fixed list of my “hardback favorites”—authors for whom I will rush out and buy the hardback copy of their newest work as soon as it is published, sometimes counting down the days until its pub date on my desk calendar. Their books live in a special bookcase at my house, and I re-read them not infrequently, always noticing something about the story or the writing that I did not notice before (a mark, I think, of a great book).
One of my “hardback favorites” is the Scottish-born writer, Margot Livesey. I’m just about finished with her newest novel, The Flight of Gemma Hardy, and I already want to heartily recommend it! Inspired by Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre, The Flight of Gemma Hardy follows its namesake character as she struggles to make her own way and find her place in the world in late-1950s and early-1960s Scotland, as second-wave feminism is just starting to influence an increasingly modern, post-WWII society. You don’t have to take my word for how great this novel is: Check out these reviews from the New York Times Book Review and the Seattle Times.
What I appreciate so much about Livesey’s writing is its thoughtfulness—you get the sense that each word is deliberately and carefully chosen. Her descriptions are rich and evocative without being effusive, flowery, or overwrought. Her characters are strong-willed and complex, her plots carefully crafted. What I appreciate most about Livesey’s writing is its quietness. She’s not a flashy writer, but each sentence is important, each detail holds meaning, each character--however minor--is memorable. As a reader, finishing a paragraph, a chapter, a whole book of hers is incredibly satisfying. As much as I admire linguistic acrobatics and inventive toying with structure, a classically well-told story with emotionally resonant and honestly drawn characters will get me every time.
The Free Library has copies of nearly all of Livesey’s back list, and I encourage you to check her out, if you’re looking for a good novel to read! (The House on Fortune Street is a particular favorite of mine.) You can also check out her Q&A with this very blog from 2008 when she visited the Free Library for the Philadelphia Book Festival. And, of course, chime in in the comments with your thoughts on Margot Livesey’s writing or with your own recommendations and “hardback favorites!”
Tags:
Reviews
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Margot Livesey | credit: Rob Hann |
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Thu, November 3, 2011
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We pride ourselves on being the Free Library of Opportunity, providing the resources, services, and programs that help our users find success in whatever task they’re tackling. For job seekers, that means providing free Wi-Fi to conduct your job search; free computer access to update your résumé and cover letter; robust online resources; and even in-person assistance to help you get on the path to career success. Last year alone, some 1,000 individuals said they were able to find jobs only because of the resources at the Free Library.
For more than 20 years, Workplace Wednesdays, held at the Parkway Central Library, has provided adult job seekers with professional training to help them identify skills and find the right job “fit.” Each Workplace series contains classes that focuses on everything from interviewing skills and job-hunting tips to résumé writing and critique. For more information please call 215-686-5436.
In addition, residents in Southwest Philadelphia can find all the help they need at our Paschalville Job Readiness Center, where job seekers can make one-on-one appointments with professionals who are trained in providing information on résumé preparation, applications and interviews, and the navigation of job-hunting websites. The Center is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Tuesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Center also provides computer and internet access and a robust library of job-seeking materials. For more information or to make an appointment, please call 215-726-4587. The Paschalville Job Readiness Center is made possible with support from The Lincoln Foundation.
Tags:
Reviews,
careers
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Thu, July 28, 2011
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If you’re a movie lover, then you might be familiar with the video distribution company The Criterion Collection. This company is known for re-releasing classic and foreign films, as well as films made by celebrated directors. Many times you can only find the critically acclaimed and celebrated foreign language films in their collection.
Now, I know many people are hesitant to watch foreign language films because they don’t want to be bothered with the subtitles or they feel that reading will distract them from the action or storytelling of the film. Well, I have an easy answer for this: Borrow the DVD from the library! You can always pause and rewind if you feel you missed something. There are a lot of foriegn language gems out there that you shouldn't miss.
So today I’ll post some of my favorite Criterion Collection films the library has ready to loan (don’t worry, they aren’t all subtitled):
Click on the film title to request material from the Free Library.
Click on the trailer link to watch the film's trailer or a scene from the film.
The 400 Blows – This French New Wave film is considered a classic of French cinema by some. It portrays the story of a troubled boy in Paris. (Rating PG) trailer
Black Orpheus – This 1959 film is set during Carnival in Rio de Janeiro and adapts the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. It won the Palme d’Or (the highest prize at the Cannes Film Festival) and an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. (Rating PG) trailer
Monty Python’s Life of Brian – This hilarious film was considered controversial at the time of its release in 1979 due to the religious satire, and it was banned in many movie theatres. The film follows the life of Brian, a man who lived next door to and was born on the same day as Jesus Christ, and who spends much of his life mistaken for the messiah. (Rating R) trailer
My Own Private Idaho - The story of two friends (River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves) who start on a journey of self discovery and learn about the hardships of friendship. (Rating R) trailer
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou – This comedy by Wes Anderson stars Bill Murray (who in my opinion, is reason enough to watch any film), as Steve Zissou, a oceanographer on a quest to get revenge on a shark that ate his partner (think Moby-Dick). (Rating R) trailer
Battle of Algiers – This 1966 film depicts the guerrilla warfare that took place during the Algerian War. This film is critically acclaimed and was nominated for two Oscars. (Rating PG) trailer
Do the Right Thing - This 1989 film takes place in one day (the hottest day of the summer) and showcases racial division and bigotry in a Brooklyn neighborhood. Directed by Spike Lee, it was nominated for two Oscars. (Rating R) trailer
The Blob - This 1958 horror film stars Steven McQueen as teen on the run from a giant alien blob that terrorizes his town. (Rating G) trailer
The library currently has more than 170 items from the Criterion Collection - browse all.
Tags:
Recommendations,
Reviews
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Black Orpheus film poster © Dispat Films |
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Monty Python's Life of Brian film poster © Warner Bros. Pictures |
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Do the Right Thing film poster © Universal Pictures |
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