After seeing the redesign plans for McPherson Square Park and Library, residents asked for more shade, and requested the library stay open during construction.
Backpack season is underway! We’ve got lots of places for you to scoop up new school supplies before classes start – plus a few opportunities to get wet and cool off on hot days.
McPherson Square Library, which has been closed since June 21st due to a broken air conditioning system, may reopen by next Tuesday in time for a meeting with the City of Philadelphia’s Rebuild program.
The Free Library of Philadelphia branches are physically closed due to COVID-19 but many librarians and staffers are still providing online programs and services through the Free Library website and the branches’ social media accounts.
According to Mcpherson Square Branch Librarian Tuesday Chalmers, librarians across the city are trying to keep their patrons engaged. To help spread the word, here’s a list of resources you can access from your home.
Free Library website resources
If you don’t already have a library card, you’ll need to go to the Free Library website and sign-up online. After submitting the online application, you can use your library card number to access any of the following resources:
The Free Library is offering Virtual Programming and Online Resources (Photo by Erin Blewett)
Free Library virtual programming
You can check out the Free Library’s virtual programming page with activities for adults, young adults, school-age children, preschoolers, toddlers, seniors, and babies here. The website has a list of hundreds of program titles, descriptions, dates, and times.
Virtual Spanish Conversation Group, every other Monday in June from 4-5 p.m. Email Sara Palmer at palmers@freelibrary.org to register.
Virtual Storytime, Facebook live readings on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 10 a.m. on Facebook at Independence Branch Free Library.
Remember to regularly check the virtual programming website for program announcements and cancellations.
The Free Library of Philadelphia, Lillian Marrero Branch. (Photo by Erin Blewett)
The library branches’s social media accounts
Many libraries, including all three branches in the Kensington-area, are posting activities and COVID-19 information on their Instagram and Facebook pages.
Kensington Voice is one of more than 20 news organizations producing Broke in Philly, a collaborative reporting project on economic mobility. Read more at brokeinphilly.org or follow on Twitter at @BrokeInPhilly.
Editors: Claire Wolters / Designer: Henry Savage / Translator: N/A
After seeing the redesign plans for McPherson Square Park and Library, residents asked for more shade, and requested the library stay open during construction.
McPherson Square Library, which has been closed since June 21st due to a broken air conditioning system, may reopen by next Tuesday in time for a meeting with the City of Philadelphia’s Rebuild program.
The Norris Square Neighborhood Profile, released in July, explored rising housing costs and other shifts in the neighborhood. This resource list points residents to support.
A new batch of organizations will receive $2.2 million in grants from the city’s 2025 Opioid Prevention and Community Healing Fund (OPCH), after what some groups called delayed and unclear communication.
