The Free Library of Philadelphia - Central Branch in Philadelphia, PA 19103

The Free Library of Philadelphia - Central Branch050

in Philadelphia, PA 19103

about The Free Library of Philadelphia - Central Branch:

Central Branch of The Free Library of Philadelphia has 54 branch libraries located throughout the city of Philadelphia.

The Central branch, the winner of our 2008 Parents' Picks quest to find the Best Library for Big Kids and Best Library for Teens in Philadelphia, is a source of information and inspiration, particularly for children.

Free tours are given daily at 11am. The children's department has the largest collection of children's books - 65,000 books published from 1837 to the present - including books in 52 languages. Items in the Children's Literature collections must be requested in person and the books are for research purposes only - they do not circulate. The Marilyn Klein Preschool features computers and furniture specially designed for toddlers. The Rare Book Department has the largest collection of Beatrix Potter's work outside of the United Kingdom.

Every Thursday afternoon during the school year, the Teen Advisory Council meets at the Central branch for activities, fun, and snacks. Some popular programs have included, hip hop dance workshops, conflict resolution, teen talent shows, SAT prep, teen open mic, poetry slams, teen art exhibits and more. For more information, call 215.686.5415.

The Free Library of Philadelphia's LEAP afterschool program provides homework assistance, computer literacy, library skills and multicultural enrichment programs for school age children and teens in grades one through 12. LEAP is a free open drop-in program, in operation from September to June, at all branches. Live Homework Help for teens is available via the website from 2pm-11pm.

Several branches host monthly Books Aloud! workshops for parents of preschoolers and others interested in learning more about early childhood literacy. For more information, call 215.686.5372.

Summer Reading programs are available to kids in grades one through 12. Science in the Summer for students in grades two to six, and other summer programs are available at various Free Library of Philadelphia branches. Please call 215.686.5372 or your local branch for more information.

tips:

Snuggle up and get in the Christmas spirit as you hear the story of ARTHUR CHRISTMAS. Walk away with a stocking's worth of goodies and a pass to a special advance screening on November 18 from 4-5pm. Click here to find out more about the 12 days of fun family events nationwide leading to the release of ARTHUR CHRISTMAS, the new 3D CG-animated family comedy in theaters November 23, 2011.

getting there:

Located between 19th and 20th Streets on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Bus routes 32, 33, and 76 stop at or within a block of the Library. From subway, transfer to the 32 or the 33 on JFK Boulevard. Wood Street entrance is handicapped accessible. Wood Street is located directly behind the Library, and runs parallel to Vine Street. Since it is a one-way street, you must enter from 19th Street.