💙 September 2025 💙

Happy National Literacy Month!

September is the perfect time to sign up for a library card, encourage young readers to explore their local libraries, and discover all the digital resources the Free Library has to offer.

As summer winds down and a new school year begins, the Library is here to support every step of your journey—whether you're a student diving into your studies, a job seeker building new skills, or simply on the hunt for your next great read.

This month, we're highlighting innovative and exciting programs that reflect the Library's evolving role in our community—from esports tournaments that connect teens through teamwork and tech, to a new exhibition exploring cultural perspectives on death, inspired by Shakespeare’s “To be, or not to be” soliloquy in Hamlet.

And as always, none of this would be possible without your support! 📚

September Author Events

Join us this season for an opportunity to engage in compelling and dynamic discussions right here in Philadelphia!

• September 4: Russell Shorto & Molly Beer (Taking Manhattan & Angelica) in conversation with Michelle Craig McDonald

• September 11: Trymaine Lee (A Thousand Ways to Die: The True Cost of Violence on Black Life in America) in conversation with James Peterson

• September 16: Sonia Sotomayor (Just Shine!)

• September 17: Blondell Reynolds-Brown (Walking a Tightrope Backwards in High Heels) in conversation with Tamala Edwards

• September 22: Ken Follett (Circle of Days)

• September 24: Jill Lepore (We the People: A History of the U.S. Constitution) in conversation with Kate Shaw

• September 25: Steven Pinker (When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows...) in conversation with Annie Duke

• September 30: Nicholas Boggs (Baldwin: A Love Story) in conversation with Rachel L. Swarns

Missed an Author Event? You can always watch the recording on our YouTube!

More to Explore in September

The Free Library is teaming up with Nerd Street’s Localhost for its first-ever FLoP Bowl—a free Super Smash Bros. esports tournament for Philly teens ages 12–18, hosted at 10 library branches.

Compete weekly, battle on stage at Localhost, and win prizes! Space is limited and signups end September 15—click to learn how to join!

We invite you to explore Or Not to Be: Representations of Death in Special Collections, a powerful new exhibition at the Rare Book Department.

Join us for a free open house and curator-led tour on Wednesday, September 17 at 5:00 p.m., and experience how this exhibition brings together cultural reflections on life, death, and everything in between.

Looking for a new career path? This fall, the Philly Career Launch Career Exploration Workshop offers free sessions across Philadelphia to help you discover new careers that match your strengths and interests. Join us in September or October for hands-on tools, group discussions, and expert guidance—plus a free lunch!

To find more details and register, click here to learn more.

Great things are happening at the Free Library! Please consider making a gift today to advance literacy and inspire curiosity! ✨