The Free Library Mobile Services page has recently been updated!

There are new step-by-step instructions and screenshots illustrating how to access and bookmark the Free Library's mobile website on your mobile device of choice. By adding our mobile app icon to your mobile device's home screen, you can access all the great books, music, movies, information, resources, and services available to you from the Free Library with a tap of your finger!

You can sign in and manage your library account, search our vast catalog and databases, download ebooks and podcasts, browse through thousands of images in our extensive digital collections, view the calendar of events at your neighborhood library, and even access and read this very blog.

Leave a comment below and let us know how you use our mobile website and any features you might like to see in a future update!

Tags: How To, mobile, tech, website

Another resource and ally in the Open Data movement (as I've written about in previous blog posts) has popped up online as of last week: CultureBlocks.com.

CultureBlocks is a free web-based mapping tool that collects cultural data and assets throughout Philadelphia (i.e. schools, rec centers, public transportation, parks, and libraries) which can be combined with economic, demographic and geographic census data (i.e. neighborhoods, council districts, and school catchments) to create detailed and robust maps to inform individuals and organizations on arts initiatives, investments, and neighborhood revitilization.

The Free Library is an integral part of neighborhoods in Philadelphia and invaluable cultural asset in the city that promotes literacy and the arts.

The site was launched by the City of Philadelphia Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy; the City of Philadelphia Department of Commerce; The Reinvestment Fund’s (TRF) Policy Map; and the Social Impact of the Arts Project (SAIP) at the University of Pennsylvania; and is supported by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and ArtPlace.

The web-tool is being managed by the Office of Arts Culture and the Creative Economy, which will coordinate the use of CultureBlocks among City agencies and provide technical assistance to public users. Moira Baylson, Deputy Cultural Officer of the OACCE, says, "The vision of CultureBlocks is to use data to foster economic and social vitality in Philadelphia neighborhoods."

Overall, CultureBlocks it is a very robust site and great tool to learn more about the arts and how they relate to the neighbrohoods that make Philadelphia a vibrant, exciting, and interesting place to live, work, and visit.

In related news, be on the lookout for some new map updates and features from Free Library in the coming weeks!

Tags: art, databases, maps, tech

Here are the Top 10 ebooks downloaded from Free Library's OverDrive Digital Library in April 2013.
There were more than 850 ebooks checked out and downloaded for the month!

This following list comprises fiction and nonfiction titles from across all genres.
 

1.		The Best Man (fiction) by Kristan Higgins A humorous romance novel from bestselling author and two-time winner of the Romance Writers of America RITA Award Kristan Higgins.
2.		Bite Me, Your Grace (fiction) by Brooklyn Ann New paranormal romance series from author Brooklyn Ann.
3.		Starting Now (fiction) by Debbie Macomber A heartfelt tale of friendship, renewal, and discovering what's truly important in life in this newest Blosom Stret novel from Debbie Macomber.
4.		Tapestry of Fortunes (fiction) by Elizabeth Berg Four women venture into their pasts in order to shape their futures, fates, and fortunes in this New York Times bestseller.
5.		Lean In (nonfiction) by Sheryl Sandberg Sheryl Sandberg, Chief Operating Officer of Facebook, examines womens' current state in the modern workplace, offering compelling, commonsense solutions that can empower women to achieve their full potential.
6.		Sealed With A Kiss (fiction) by Carly Phillips Latest contemporary romance novel from award-winning writer Carly Phillips.
7.		All That Is (fiction) by James Salter A coming of age tale in a post-World War II setting by PEN/Faulkner winning author James Salter.
8.		A Chance Worth Taking (fiction) by Carrie Weaver Drama screeches its tires and burns rubber all over the pages of this NASCAR-themed romance novel.
9.		Cover of Snow (fiction) by Jenny Milchman Stylish suspense thriller from first time novelist Jenny Milchman.
10.		The Reluctant Lark (fiction) by Iris Johansen New York Times bestselling author Iris Johansen pens a story of classic love and loss in this romance novel.

Want to begin e-reading but don't know where to start?
Check out our comprehensive ebook guide!

Tags: ebooks, tech

If you attended any of the recent Philadelphia Book Festival events, or are planning on attending any of the remaining Philadelphia Science Week or Philly Tech Week events, you've probably stopped by one of our 54 branches.

Want to continue to find out about exciting, educational, and enlightening events at your local neighborhood library?
Have a Facebook account?

Surf on over to our Facebook page and at the top you will see a tab for "Branches and Departments".

Click on that tab and you will be able to access links to all of our branches and departments that have Facebook pages.

Find your local neighborhood library branch's page and "Like" it, check out the latest bestsellers and DVDs available in Philbrick Hall by "Liking" its department page or "Like" our Summer Reading page to get ready for this summer's reading challenge!

Comment and interact with other Free Library Facebook followers, post a suggestion or question on a branch or department page, and share posts and pictures with your friends from the Free Library pages you "Like"!

Tags: Branches, Departments, Social Media, tech, website

Calling all tech enthusiasts, digital strategists, web entrepreneurs, online editors, software developers, web designers, engineers, bloggers, hackers, gamers, students, and gadget geeks all throughout the Philadelphia area: Philly Tech Week is almost here!

Philly Tech Week begins a week-long celebration of technology and innovation in Philadelphia kicking off Friday, April 19th and running through Sunday, April 28th. In its third year, the annual week of events is as varied, interesting, educational, and sometimes geeky as ever with hackathons, TEDTalks, tech summits, digital arts galleries, robotics expos, green technology seminars, 3D printer demonstrations, app building tutorials, and probably the coolest "geek out!" event of Tech Week: A Pong video game tournament played on the 430-foot Cira Center skyscraper in University City utilizing the building's LED light array (spectators will be able to watch from Art Museum).

Of course, Philly Tech Week is not only for seasoned techies; there are numerous informational events, seminars and tutorials aimed at novices, students, families and anyone else who wants to learn something new.

The Free Library of Philadelphia is proud to be a signature sponsor and partner for this year's Philly Tech Week and will be hosting two events at Parkway Central, helping to bridge the "digital divide":

EveryoneOn Launch
Monday, April 22 @ 2:00 p.m.
Free Library of Philadelphia will help kick off the EveryoneOn initiative, which is working to bridge the "digital divide" and reach families, students, and others throughout the Philadelphia area and get them online access.

Blackout: Reinventing Black Media in the Digital Age
Monday, April 22 @ 5:00 p.m.
Free Library President and Director Sibohan A. Reardon will be on hand to introduce this event, along with special keynote speaker Federal Communications Commissioner Mignon Clyburn. The event will explore and examine how three local and longstanding African-American businesses within the communications and telecommunications industries in Philadelphia have dealt with the "digital divide".

Our Techmobile team will also be out in full force for Philly Tech Week on Wednesday, April 24th from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at Presby’s Inspired Life, 2050 S. 58th Street. "All Hands On Technology: A Senior Learning Event" will help adults 55+ explore their hobbies and interests online in a comfortable, senior-focused learning environment.

All three of these events are free and open to the public with the intent to give access to technology tools, information, and services—all of which the Free Library strives to give our customers to help guide learning and inspire curiosity.
 

Tags: Events at the Library, Parkway Central, Siobhan A. Reardon, tech