Free Library Youth Services

Summer of Wonder in your neighborhood library may be coming to an end, but you can still join the online summer reading challenge through the end of August. Earn points, badges, and be automatically entered into our final raffle drawing each time you log your reading or complete an activity related to our special Philly stickers!

To sign up, download the free Beanstack Tracker app on your phone or tablet, or head to https://freelibrary.beanstack.org.

And don’t forget, we have online reading challenges all year long so you can always keep track of your virtual bookshelf and your reading streaks!

This Summer, the Eagles Eye Mobile, powered by Vision to Learn, is providing no cost eye exams and glasses for kids (grades K-12) who have previously failed a vision screening or have vision issues.

There are plenty of appointments available at Durham Library - Free Library of Philadelphia in Southwest Philadelphia and Free Library of Philadelphia, Greater Olney Branch in the Northeast!

To schedule an appointment for your child, email [email protected], go to https://eem.intakeq.com/booking or call 215-339-6770. Appointments will be scheduled during the hours of 10 AM through 2:30 PM.

We are so excited to host five visits with Kah Yangni next week! This series kicks off at Philadelphia City Institute Free Library on Monday 6/3 at 11:15am.

Visits will continue at Independence Branch Free Library, Free Library of Philadelphia Haverford Avenue Branch, Walnut Street West Library (Free Library of Philadelphia), and Fishtown Community Library, Free Library of Philadelphia.

To view all visits and locations, please follow this link: https://libwww.freelibrary.org/calendar/?q=yangni

Our LAST Spring 2024 Saturdays on Stage performance is next week!* Don’t miss The Brave Little Tailor with Enchantment Theatre on May 18 at 2pm! As always this performance will take place in the Montgomery Auditorium at Parkway Central Library.

These Saturday performances are FREE. Seating is on a first-come, first-seated basis. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. and performances begin at 2:00 p.m.

View the full line-up at https://freelibrary.org/onstage


*Sadly our May 11 performance with Thembi Palmer has been postponed until the fall. Please stay tuned for information about our next season!

The Summer of Wonder officially begins in 1 month! Until then, you can flex your reading muscles by joining our online Spring Reading Challenge.

Download the free Beanstack Tracker app to your smartphone or tablet, or head to https://freelibrary.beanstack.org/ to sign up.

Catch us here NEXT weekend, Saturday, April 27 from 10am-3pm. We can't wait to meet Philadelphia youth and families and share all the wonderful programs and services available at the Free Library of Philadelphia ✨📚💕

📅SAVE THE DATE: Join us on Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for a Citywide Parent & Youth Resource Fair!

💟Giveaways
🆓refreshments
🎵A live DJ
🖊️Parent workshops and more

Registration is encouraged but not required! https://ow.ly/wOKS50RhtFv

We are thrilled to share our April line-up for Saturdays on Stage! These FREE performances will take place on April 13 and April 20 in the Montgomery Auditorium at Parkway Central Library.

On April 13 enjoy the magic, humor, and joy of The Give & Take Jugglers. On April 20, celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month with The Lady Hoofers!

These Saturday performances are FREE. Seating is on a first-come, first-seated basis. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. and performances begin at 2:00 p.m.

View the full line-up at https://freelibrary.org/onstage

Spring Into Reading with the Free Library of Philadelphia's online reading challenge! Join us all season long to earn points and badges just by reading your favorite books. Every minute you log will be added to the citywide reading goal. Let's meet the challenge, Philly!

This challenge is open to readers of any age. Join by signing up through your web browser at https://freelibrary.beanstack.org or download the free Beanstack Tracker app for your smartphone.

Happy reading!

Spread the word: Sundays on Stage is back this spring…on Saturdays! This season we will host live performances on Saturdays in the Montgomery Auditorium at Parkway Central Library.

These Saturday performances are FREE. Seating is on a first-come, first-seated basis. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. and performances begin at 2:00 p.m.

First up: Spread the love with City Love on March 2. We cannot wait to kick off this season with you!

View the full line-up at https://freelibrary.org/onstage

Find your hero in the City of Brotherly Love! Join us throughout the month of February for a special online reading challenge that explores the amazing lives of Black Philadelphians who have given our nation heart and soul.

Sign up through the Free Library of Philadelphia's online reading challenge homepage at www.freelibrary.beanstack.org or by downloading the free Beanstack Tracker app on your smartphone.

Winter snow is beautiful when you're curled up with a book! Spend the weekend reading, playing in the snow, and streaming videos through Kanopy. Tell us how you escaped the storm to earn points and badges as part of Philadelphia's citywide reading challenge. You can even get points for catching snowflakes on your tongue!

Sign up for the Free Library of Philadelphia's Winter Reading Challenge through the free Beanstack Tracker app or at https://freelibrary.beanstack.org.

The Free Library is closed today in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.

The Free Library will be closing at 2 pm today in honor of Monday's holiday celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. We will reopen on Tuesday, January 16th.

Happy New Year! Looking for ways to jump-start new habits for your family? Read on for some helpful tips. What are your goals for the new year? Let us know in the comments! ⭐️

Blog: New Year, New Habits The new year is traditionally a time to start fresh, make resolutions, and name your hopes and dreams for the year ahead. Some share this tradition with friends and family and even introduce it to…

Celebrate the first day of winter by joining our Winter Reading Challenge! Curl up late into the night with your favorite book, then tell us all about it.

Sign up using the free Beanstack tracker app or online at https://freelibrary.beanstack.org

Check out this amazing Youth Kwanzaa program happening at the Central Library on the second day of Kwanzaa! Details in the calendar event and in the image, along with contact information if you have any questions!

https://libwww.freelibrary.org/calendar/event/132394

Today at 12:30 pm! It's your last chance to catch a Free Library storytime at Christmas Village!

Join Parkway Central Children's Department, Free Library of Philadelphia & Field Teen Center for a celebration of the new Percy Jackson Disney series & beloved books! This event will feature a book discussion, trivia, and snacks & giveaways while supplies last. Space is limited.

Date/Time: December 20, 3:30pm-4:30pm
Location: Parkway Central Library (1901 Vine Street), on the ground floor between the Children's Department & the Field Teen Center

Tomorrow, join us for an afternoon storytime at Christmas Village! 12:30 pm.

Today! Come to Christmas Village for a holiday season storytime at 12:30 pm.

The Free Library just added Saturday services to an additional 14 library locations! Read on below to find a participating library near you.

Blog: Six-Day Service Beginning at More Neighborhood Free Library Branches The Free Library of Philadelphia is actively restoring six-day service to more of our neighborhood library locations throughout the city. Saturday hours are being rolled out in waves, so more…

You read that right! Our library patrons are invited to view a screening of the first two episodes of Percy Jackson and the Olympians. This event takes place on Tuesday, December 19 at 6pm at PFS East (125 S 2nd Street, 19106). RSVPs are nontransferable and on a first come, first serve basis: https://tinyurl.com/PercyRSVP-FLP

Stay tuned for information about a special event co-hosted with Parkway Central Children's Department, Free Library of Philadelphia about the book series.