Videos
(And by that, we mean the internet.)
Click above to watch a video featuring our copy of Doll's Primer by W. L. [William Lewis] Washburn (1931), housed in the Children's Literature Research Collection.
2023
Click above to watch a video featuring our copy of The Haunted House by Barbara J. Raheb (1992), housed in the Children's Literature Research Collection.
Click above to watch a video featuring our copy of A Dark Dark Tale by Barbara J. Raheb (1995), housed in the Children's Literature Research Collection.
Presented by the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation in partnership the Free Library Special Collections Division and Print & Picture Department.
Click above to peruse the full series, Profiles in Literature, available through the Children's Literature Research Collection.
2022
Author Violet LeVoit talks about the art of fore-edge paintings, sharing a surprise from Rare Book Department's 1808 copy Paradise Lost by John Milton.
Join the Children's Literature Research Collection and the Literature Department as they welcome artists Rudy Miller, Valerie Keller, and collector and author Martha Raively for a moderated discussion about paper dolls.
Whether you are going on a date, or eating the fruit, dates brings people together. In Islam, the date is sacred. It is mentioned in the Quran more than any other fruit-bearing plant. Muslims often eat this nutritious fruit to break their fast during Ramadan. In this in-person, fun, and free cooking demonstration, chef Jamela Bilal demonstrates how to prepare deliciously nutritious meals with dates.
Join chef Jamela Bilal as she shares the Story of Islam through Food. This engaging presentation will also include the variety of halal options available in Philadelphia.
Join us as we explore the role of women also known as Muslimah's and how they have been integral in building the foundation of life as a Muslim in Philadelphia. This program presents teachings of Islam regarding the rights, roles, and responsibilities of women, with a special focus on the Nur (light), honor, leadership shown by the indigenous community.
Check out this recap of the exhibition In the Path of Islam!
Join the tour for In the Path of Islam, presented by Sistah Aisamah Muhammad-Muneer for the Jewels of Islam.
Marriage is a divine institution replete with guidelines, rules and regulations designed to give a man and a woman the healthiest human engagement. Marriage in the Islamic tradition is governed by a set of broad [spousal] rights — for both husband and wife — that essentially provides the skeleton for their engagement, while allowing the individual capacity for love, emotional intelligence and personal sacrifice to provide the clothing [for that skeleton].
Through pictures and one-of-a-kind photographs, Brother Abdul-Rahim Muhammad, Director of the New Africa Center, shares overlooked histories of enslaved African Muslims, from early America through the Reconstruction era and up to the present day.
Join author Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow as she reads aloud from Abdul's Story, a book about a little boy who loves storytelling but struggles with writing, and Mommy’s Khimar, a book about a young Muslim girl who spends a day wrapped up in her mother's colorful headscarf.
The Free Library of Philadelphia and the In the Path of Islam Project thank the Philadelphia Masjid and the Islamic Heritage Foundation for allowing us to record only three Quran reciters from the many others who competed in the competition for cash prizes.
Aziz Nathoo discusses the complex topic of Justice in Islam. This includes justice to oneself (nafs), family (‘Aila), community (Ummah), humanity (kulfis insaan), earth & animals (duniya) and, most importantly, Allah.
In this enlightening lecture Imam Suetwedien Abdullah Muhammad addresses stereotypes and misunderstandings associated with Islam. He also discusses how Islam embraces Judaism and Christianity, and how Islamic communities positively impact Philadelphia neighborhoods and communities.
Join author and illustrator Amy Ignatow and staff from the Children's Literature Research Collection, as they discuss her career, journeying from the halls of middle school in The Popularity Papers to the halls of the Jedi Temple in the Jedi Academy series.
Ramadan — the month in which the Qur’an was revealed — is considered the most blessed month of the year for Muslims. Dr. Tahir Wyatt, a published academic, researcher, and instructor of Islamic studies and comparative religion, discusses Ramadan's importance.
Hanif Fouse, Imam of United Muslim Masjid in Center City, Philadelphia, and vice-president of the QARI (Quran Arabic Reflection Institute), discusses encouraging and empowering youth.
Since its inception in 1989, the Jewels of Islam continues to provide a supportive network to Muslim women 50 years and older. Although the programs were designed to meet the needs of Muslim Women, the scope of services later designed a interfaith Initiative which builds collaborations with non-Muslim women in our community.
Join Imam Nuhu Abdulai as he discusses the African origins of Islam. Imam Nuhu Abdulai is currently the imam of Masjid Al-Wasatiyah Wal-Itidaal.
Chef Jamela Bilal, owner of Halal2gomeals will offer cooking demonstrations at Free Library of Philadelphia neighborhood libraries and other locations throughout the city. She will also lecture on the Story of Islam through Food and talk about the variety of halal options available in Philadelphia.
Join author and illustrator Mônica Carnesi and staff from the Children's Literature Research Collection, as they discuss her new book, There's a Lion in the Forest!
Join staff from the Children's Literature Research Collection and the Print and Picture Collection as they examine and discuss some of the more unusual items found in the Milhous and Lichten papers.
2021
Join us for a presentation by CETA Arts alums Virginia Maksymowicz and Blaise Tobia, and dance historian Dr. Colleen Hooper about how CETA put artists to work on a scale not seen since the New Deal.
Author Marilyn Singer and illustrator Edwin Fotheringham discuss the research process of creating their book, A Raven Named Grip: How a Bird Inspired Two Famous Authors, Charles Dickens and Edgar Allan Poe.
Join us for a discussion of artwork created during the New Deal with Laura Stroffolino, Curator, Print and Picture Collection and Alina Josan, Librarian, Art Department.
Councilmember Kendra Brooks, Justin DiBeradinis, Keon Liberato, and LaNeshe Miller-White, four notable Philadelphians from the worlds of art, labor, and public policy, discuss what the city owes its people.
Join Karen Lightner, former Curator of the Beatrix Potter Collection, for an introductory overview of the Rare Book Department's Beatrix Potter Collection.
In researching his recent book, The Real James Bond, author Jim Wright found a goldmine in the Free Library's Rare Book Department.
Join chef Shayla Felton-Dorsey for this online cooking program that highlights New Deal era cooking.
Join us for an exclusive virtual live tour and chat with Caitlin Goodman, Curator, Rare Book Department, and Laura Stroffolino, Curator, Print and Picture Collection, for the Free Library’s newest exhibit.
Join Shahadah and Yaroub as they share some historic books and calligraphy with you and welcome your questions and ideas for this community-driven project inspired by the special collections of the Free Library.
The Free Library of Philadelphia's Print and Picture Collection and Art Department present a virtual survey of the art of Augustus Kollner (1813-1906), a German-born artist who settled in Philadelphia in 1840.
Join the Free Library of Philadelphia's Art Department for a virtual tour of their special collections.
Join Dr. Michelle H. Martin, Pat R. Scales, Dr. Philip Nel and Dr. Guy Sims for a discussion about censorship, racism, Dr. Seuss, and the points where they intersect.
Join Gloria Akers, Supreme Dow, Oliver St. Clair Franklin OBE, Bea Joyner, and Frank Tyson to hear about their amazing collections and how they are working to share Black history.
Join curator Dot Porter and vocalist and instrumentalist Adam Ward as they explore the sounds and contexts of music from the Medieval period. This is a "Medieval Life" virtual program.
Curator Dot Porter, professors Sierra Lomuto (Rowan University) and Nahir Otaño Gracia (University of New Mexico) and the In The Middle bloggers (Mary Kate Hurley, Jonathan Hsy, Karl Steel and Cord Whitaker), discuss how the Middle Ages can be understood and interpreted today. This is a "Medieval Life" virtual program.
Curator Dot Porter and Dr. Kristine Larsen of Central Connecticut State University discuss astrolabes! You'll learn how to use an astrolabe of your very own. This is a "Medieval Life" virtual program.
Curator Dot Porter, chef Ange Branca, and Professor Marissa Nicosia of Penn State Abington discuss the impact of cooking on the global economy of the Middle Ages. This is a "Medieval Life" virtual program.
Join curator Dot Porter and Lori Jones of the University of Ottawa as they discuss the European plagues of the Middle Ages. This is a "Medieval Life" virtual program.
Join curator Karin Suni and scholar Dr. John Edward Martin as they discuss Edgar Allan Poe with The Raven Society of the Free Library of Philadelphia.
2020
Learn more about a sampling of WPA posters from the Print & Picture Collection on display at Carpenters' Hall in Philadelphia.
An introduction to the "Medieval Life" exhibition in the Rare Book Department.
A "Medieval Life" Virtual Program presented by the Rare Book Department.
Curator Christopher Brown discusses an ongoing project in the Children's Literature Research Collection.
Library Assistant John Hemphill talks about aerial maps from the Map Collection.
Get a quick look at the book that brings these two writers together.
Part of the "Welcome America: Free Museum Day with the Free Library!"
Part of the "Welcome America: Free Museum Day with the Free Library!"
Part of the "Welcome America: Free Museum Day with the Free Library!"
Enjoy talks from both the Print & Picture Collection and the Rare Book Department.
Ainsley Eakins from the William Way Center and Andrew White from the Rosenbach discuss queer writers.
Abdullah I. H. recites part of Surah An-Nisa during the QURAN TEEN program.
Ramadan Mubarak! Everyone (not just teens) can get inspired during the Covid-19 crisis.
2019 - 2015
Karin Suni from the Theatre Collection discusses the Philadelphia Play Index Project.
(Retired now and still missed) Municipal Guard Conway Jeffers talks about our most famous bird, Grip.
Listen to music created by the Philadelphia Jazz Project inspired by railway maps of Philadelphia, housed in the Map Collection.
Listen to music created by the Philadelphia Jazz Project inspired by railway maps of Philadelphia, housed in the Map Collection.
Listen to music created by the Philadelphia Jazz Project inspired by railway maps of Philadelphia, housed in the Map Collection.
Listen to music created by the Philadelphia Jazz Project inspired by railway maps of Philadelphia, housed in the Map Collection.
Listen to music created by the Philadelphia Jazz Project inspired by railway maps of Philadelphia, housed in the Map Collection.
Listen to music created by the Philadelphia Jazz Project inspired by the works of Mark Twain, Edgar Allan Poe, and Oscar Wilde housed in the Rare Book Department.
Listen to music created by the Philadelphia Jazz Project inspired by the works of Mark Twain, Edgar Allan Poe, and Oscar Wilde housed in the Rare Book Department.
Listen to music created by the Philadelphia Jazz Project inspired by the works of Mark Twain, Edgar Allan Poe, and Oscar Wilde housed in the Rare Book Department.
Listen to music created by the Philadelphia Jazz Project inspired by the works of Mark Twain, Edgar Allan Poe, and Oscar Wilde housed in the Rare Book Department.
Listen to music created by the Philadelphia Jazz Project inspired by the works of Mark Twain, Edgar Allan Poe, and Oscar Wilde housed in the Rare Book Department.
Listen to music created by the Philadelphia Jazz Project inspired by the works of Mark Twain, Edgar Allan Poe, and Oscar Wilde housed in the Rare Book Department.
Listen to music created by the Philadelphia Jazz Project inspired by the works of Mark Twain, Edgar Allan Poe, and Oscar Wilde housed in the Rare Book Department.
The Children's Literature Research Collection celebrated Jerry Pinkney's birthday with help from the Free Library's amazing patrons!
Listen to music created by the Philadelphia Jazz Project inspired by Cabin Days by Dox Thrash, housed in the Print & Picture Collection.
Listen to music created by the Philadelphia Jazz Project inspired by Whiskers by Dox Thrash, housed in the Print & Picture Collection.
Listen to music created by the Philadelphia Jazz Project inspired by Inveigling by Dox Thrash, housed in the Print & Picture Collection.
Listen to music created by the Philadelphia Jazz Project inspired by Heave by Dox Thrash, housed in the Print & Picture Collection.
Listen to music created by the Philadelphia Jazz Project inspired by Sunday Morning by Dox Thrash, housed in the Print & Picture Collection.
Discover some of the objects featured in the Special Collections Division's exhibition, Big and Small: Books for All, which ran from October 23, 2017 - March 24, 2018
Here's a brief history of the N. C. Wyeth paintings housed in the Children's Literature Research Collection.
