Free Library Blog - Posts by Eileen O.

Announcing The Rosenbach of the Free Library Foundation

Eileen O. — 2013-04-17T09:17:00-05:00

The Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation is incredibly excited to announce their intent to merge with The Rosenbach Museum & Library, creating The Rosenbach of the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation. This extraordinary partnership will bring together two of Philadelphia’s premier cultural institutions, creating wonderful new opportunities to showcase both organizations’ rich literary treasures.

The Rosenbach of the Free Library will be maintained as an independent entity under the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation and will be funded through private philanthropic support.

This exciting new venture will formally connect The Rosenbach Museum & Library and the Free Library, highlighting the already shared history between the two institutions. Dr. Rosenbach served as a Trustee and as an advisor to many of the Library’s Rare Book Department donors, helping to solidify the Library’s early Americana, British, and Judaica collections. By joining these extraordinary complementary holdings, we can engage a wider audience than ever before with an exceptional assemblage of Shakespeare folios, Dickens ephemera, medieval and renaissance manuscripts, and much more.

We’re enthusiastic about the future of this partnership, and can’t wait to explore the potential programmatic and exhibition partnerships with our new colleagues at The Rosenbach of the Free Library!

To read more about this opportunity click here.

Winter Entertainment

Eileen O. — 2013-01-25T10:19:00-05:00

The following, I’m sure, comes as no surprise to any Philadelphia resident: it’s freezing outside. I know we’ve escaped a huge chunk of winter with milder weather, but that doesn’t mean I like the fact that I can’t feel my toes after my morning commute. For the next week or so, I plan on spending all of my free time staying inside and huddling under blankets.

If you have similar plans, but you also want some entertainment outside of endless House Hunters re-runs, the Library’s got you covered. Of course there are plenty of ebooks and audiobooks to download from the comfort of your own home, but I’d like to shed a little light on some of my favorite digital activities on freelibrary.org (and I promise you won’t have to leave your blanket fort to use them).

Digital Collections
I could spend afternoons browsing our digital collections and online exhibitions and still not discover every hidden gem. From vintage film stills in the Theatre Collection to Rembrandt etchings in the Fine Arts Collection and everything in between, there’s plenty to be amazed by. And don’t miss our online exhibition on 200 years of Pride and Prejudice!

Online Databases
There are dozens and dozens of online databases on freelibrary.org that cover every topic imaginable. Do you want to learn a new language? Are you researching best small business practices? Are you trying to keep your kids from going stir crazy during this deep freeze? Well, there’s a database for all of that and more. Check ‘em out here.

Author Podcasts
There are more than 1,000 Author Events podcasts available on freelibrary.org and you can listen to them all for free! That’ll certainly keep you busy until the warmer weather makes an appearance!

Celebrate Black History Month!

Eileen O. — 2013-01-16T10:25:00-05:00

The Free Library of Philadelphia is celebrating Black History Month throughout February with programming in our neighborhood libraries. From storytimes to poetry readings, drumming workshops to scavenger hunts, there are plenty of ways to honor important Africans and African Americans in history. For a complete listing of more than 40 Black History Month events throughout the Library system, click here. Below are just a few highlights of our programming:

Underground Railroad Quilt

Monday, February 4, 7:00 p.m. | Lovett Memorial Library

Listen to amazing stories from the days of the Underground Railroad with Mama Carla Wiley while making a personal quilt square.

Black History Family Storytime

Tuesday, February 5, 6:30 p.m. | Blanche A. Nixon/Cobbs Creek Library

Join Ms. Sarah for a family storytime celebrating Black History.

Poetry of the Harlem Renaissance

Thursday, February 7, 4:00 p.m. | Logan Library

Children in grades six and under are invited to celebrate Black History Month by bringing new life to the poetry of the Harlem Renaissance. Program participants will illustrate a poem of their choice and be entered to special prize. Light refreshments will be provided.

Veterans of Color: Film Screening

Saturday, February 9, 12:00 p.m. | Wynnefield Library

Join us for a screening of the film, Veterans of Color directed by Mark Parry. This film gives voice to the stories of the African American men and women who served in our nation’s Armed Forces and spans the period from World War II through Vietnam and our more recent armed conflicts. A panel discussion by local African American veterans will follow the film. Light refreshments will be provided.

Pride and Prejudice at 200!

Eileen O. — 2013-01-04T10:34:00-05:00

January 28, 2013, marks the 200^th publication anniversary of Pride and Prejudice. In honor of the special occasion, the Free Library is hosting Pride and Prejudice at 200, a day-long celebration of the novel at Parkway Central Library, neighborhood libraries, and online at freelibrary.org!

The Library is proud to advance literacy, guide learning, and inspire curiosity through our literary celebrations like Pride and Prejudice at 200 and Year of Dickens 2012. See below for a listing of events, and stay tuned to freelibrary.org for more information on the day’s activities.

Digital Exhibition
freelibrary.org
The Print and Picture Collection at Parkway Central will curate a digital exhibition on freelibrary.org with images of Jane Austen and illustrations depicting the time period.

Special Twitter Feed
twitter.com/digitalmrdarcy
Follow @DigitalMrDarcy on Twitter as he makes his way to Philadelphia while observing modern life (which he often finds vexing).

Film Screening
Lobby, Running Throughout the Day 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Throughout the afternoon in Parkway Central, the 2005 film adaptation, Pride & Prejudice, will be projected on screens in the lobby. Free and open to the public.

First Editions at Rare Book Department
Rare Book Department, 3rd Floor, 11:00 a.m.
The Rare Book Department celebrates Pride and Prejudice at 200 by displaying the first American editions of other Austen classics, Mansfield Park and Northanger Abbey during Monday’s public tour of the department.

Pop-Up Performances
Parkway Central, Two performances, 1:30 and 3:30 p.m.
Customers at Parkway Central will be entertained by pop-up performances by the Old Academy Players, directed by Carla Childs. Actors will perform scenes from Pride and Prejudice.

Literary Salon
Room 108, 5:30 p.m.
Bring along your copy of Pride and Prejudice and participate in our Literary Salon. Open to long-time Austen fans and newcomers alike!

The Three Elizabeths
Room 108, 6:30 p.m.
Carrie Rickey, longtime film critic for The Philadelphia Inquirer, will talk about how Elizabeth Bennett is framed in three different versions of Pride & Prejudice, the 1941 version starring Greer Garson, the BBC version starring Jennifer Ehle, and the 2005 version starring Keira Knightley.

Pride and Prejudice: Past, Present, and Future
Room 108, 7:30 p.m.
Elizabeth Steele, Vice-President for Conferences of The Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA) and member of Board of Directors for both JASNA and the local region, leads a talk on the importance of Pride and Prejudice throughout its 200 years.

Note: At the Literary Salon, The Three Elizabeths presentation, and the Pride and Prejudice: Past, Present, and Future presentation, attendees will have a chance to walk away with a set of Austen-inspired books courtesty of our friends at Quirk Books!

In addition to the events at Parkway Central, the following will take place at our Oak Lane neighborhood library:

Film Screening
Oak Lane Library, 5:45 p.m.
Stop by Oak Lane Library for a screening of Pride and Prejudice and enjoy hot tea and biscuits as you watch!

A Special Birthday

Eileen O. — 2012-12-21T12:01:00-05:00

Mirabel Horton didn’t want the latest gadget or expensive toy for her 4^th birthday. Instead, she wanted to give to others.

A frequent customer at the Parkway Central Children’s Department, Mirabel loves the Library. Her parents, Alicia and Todd, have been teaching their daughter about sharing and giving, and when Mirabel got the chance to give back, she did. On her birthday, she didn’t ask for gifts from friends and family. Instead, Mirabel suggested that her loved ones give a little something to the Free Library.

In total, she collected $200 for the Children’s Department! With a little birthday card, Mirabel presented the money to the Free Library President and Director, Siobhan A. Reardon. We are honored by her selfless donation and proud to have such a thoughtful young donor. Thank you, Mirabel!

Litte Dog Lost Finds a Home with the Best Books of 2012!

Eileen O. — 2012-12-17T10:44:00-05:00

The Free Library is proud to announce that our very own Children’s Librarian Mônica Carnesi and her picture book, Little Dog Lost, were chosen for Horn Book's list of the best books of 2012: Horn Book Fanfare 2012! Each year, the editors and reviewers of Horn Books choose a selection of the best books for children and young adults. Little Dog Lost, along with only eight other picture books, made the list for 2012. Visit the Horn Book Fanfare website to see Mônica’s book and the other selections for 2012.

A big congratulations to Mônica, and we can’t wait to see what she has to come!

The Free Library Shop

Eileen O. — 2012-12-07T09:54:00-05:00

Racking your brain for the perfect holiday gifts? Well, rack no more because the Free Library Shop is here! Launched earlier this week, the Free Library Shop has a slew of great literary and Library gifts like signed copies of Author Events books, FLP T-shirts and totes, and lots of items based on our beautiful Library collections (think cool stationary, iPhone covers, and magnets). The best part is that proceeds from all shop sales benefit the Free Library of Philadelphia, so you can feel good about all those holiday purchases!

Happy shopping!

Why Support Your Local Library?

Eileen O. — 2012-10-12T11:02:00-05:00

Now, more than ever, libraries are a vital resource in our communities. From job searches to homework help, libraries provide a wealth of services that are especially important given today’s economic outlook. Check out the infographic below to find out why it’s important to support your local library.

FIND A LIBRARY NEAR YOU

FIND YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY
INFORMATION INTEGRATED
WITH GOOGLE MAPS

DATA SOURCE: IMLS

Sources:

Thank you to StateStats.org
for providing this infographic and other free web guides and tools.

Bond, James Bond

Eileen O. — 2012-10-04T09:04:00-05:00

October 5, 2012 marks the 50^th anniversary of when the first Bond film, Dr. No, based on Ian Fleming’s novel, premiered in London. With that half-century marker, the world celebrates Global James Bond Day. And 007 is one popular 50-year-old agent. Events around the world include a special Christie’s auction of Bond memorabilia from more than 20 films in the franchise; an exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York; and in Belgium and South Africa, offices are encouraging their employees to embrace the Bond-themed day and wear tuxedos and gowns to work.

But, if you’d rather just stay home and celebrate quietly, we understand. Luckily, the Library has lots of ways to bring a little 007 to your day:

Can't get enough of that classic Bond theme? Take a listen to the Best of Bond!

Before the 23rd edition of the Bond franchise,Skyfall, hits theatres in November make sure you've caught up on the rest of the films.

Seen all the movies? Then try reading some of the novels!

So whether or not you show up to work in a tuxedo, we wish you a Happy Global James Bond Day.

A Free Library Minute: Reveal Your Inner Nerd

Eileen O. — 2012-10-03T08:39:00-05:00

In this edition of A Free Library Minute, Web Developer Camille Tomlin proves that being a nerd is cool.

We want to hear from you: Who would you like to hear from in our next video? Is there something you've always wanted to know about Library behind-the-scenes? Share your ideas below!