FA LL 2 01 2
VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 1
OFF the SHELF A MAGAZINE FROM the Free Library of Philadelphia
Bringing Literacy to Life: Inside the Free Library’s After-School Program
also inside: Take a peek at THE FREE LIBRARY’S collection of political cartoons, find out about ITS services for new Americans, and get the “FINAL Word” from Ed Rendell
From the President and Director
SAVE
THE
DATE
Free Library of Philadelphia President and Director
Siobhan A. Reardon Associate Director
Dr. Joseph McPeak Vice President of Development
Melissa Greenberg Vice President of External Affairs
Sandra Horrocks
ON
Director of Communications and Brand Marketing
december 1, 2012, JOIN US FOR the borrowers’ ball, THE LITERARY EXTRAVAGANZA OF THE YEAR. dance and dine WITH TODAY’S top authors AT THE parkway central library, WHERE beaux-arts design MEETS 21st-century urban innovation.
Alix Gerz Writer/Editor
Michelle Saraceni Sheffer PRODUCTION ASSISTANT
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE BORROWERS’ BALL, PLEASE CALL 215-567-7710 OR EMAIL BORROWERSBALL@FREELIBRARY.ORG.
Eileen Owens Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation
1901 Vine Street, Suite 111 Philadelphia, PA 19103 215-567-7710 freelibrary.org/support
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING AUTHOR EVENTS
OFF THE SHELF
FOR MORE Info: 215-567-4341 • freelibrary.org/authorevents
offtheshelf@freelibrary.org freelibrary.org/publications
OCT 2 • 7:30 PM
OCT 4 • 7:30 PM
OCT 16 • 7:30 PM
OCT 18 • 7:30 PM
OCT 25 • 7:30 PM
TICKET REQUIRED
TICKET REQUIRED
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FREE
TICKET REQUIRED
Louise Erdrich
Michael Chabon
The Round House
Telegraph Avenue
The Price of Inequality: How Today’s Divided Society Endangers Our Future
Camille Paglia Glittering Images: A Journey Through Art from Egypt to Star Wars
CAROLE PHILLIPS MEMORIAL LECTURE
Tom Wolfe Back to Blood
OCT 30 • 7:30 PM
NOV 8 • 7:30 PM
NOV 9 • 7:30 PM
NOV 15 • 7:30 PM
NOV 20 • 7:30 PM
TICKET REQUIRED
FREE
TICKET REQUIRED
FREE
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Alex Danchev Martin Amis
Cezanne: A Life
Barbara Kingsolver
David Nasaw
Ross King
Flight Behavior
The Patriarch: The Remarkable Life and Turbulent Times of Joseph P. Kennedy
Leonardo and the Last Supper
Lionel Asbo: State of England
with
NOV 27 • 7:30 PM
DEC 4 • 7:30 PM
DEC 6 • 7:30 PM
DEC 11 • 7:30 PM
Salman Rushdie
TICKET REQUIRED
TICKET REQUIRED
TICKET REQUIRED
TICKET REQUIRED
Daniel Mendelsohn
An evening with U.S. Poet Laureate
Joseph Anton: A Memoir
MEELYA GORDON MEMORIAL LECTURE
ON THE COVER: LEAP participants Eloise Palandro, Branch Weidner, and Lauren Williams work together to learn new computer skills.
MEELYA GORDON MEMORIAL LECTURE
Zadie Smith
Jon Meacham
NW: A Novel
Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power
Waiting for the Barbarians: Essays from the Classics to Pop Culture
ELLIS WACHS ENDOWED LECTURE
In Conversation with Robert Silvers, Editor, The New York Review of Books
Natasha Trethewey
This past spring, the Free Library released a bold new strategic plan, which can be found on our website, along with a new mission statement to guide us in the coming years. That statement is clear, simple, and illustrative of the great work we do every day: The Free Library advances literacy, guides learning, and inspires curiosity. The stories in these pages showcase how the librarians and staff live out this mission with their customers, working with children and teens after school; hosting world-class exhibitions; helping new Americans find a new community in Philadelphia; and improving computer skills among people of all ages. Every day, Philadelphians enjoy and depend on the Free Library’s many programs, services, and resources to improve their lives, whether it’s finding a beloved new author or a crucial new job. I am proud to showcase the important work we do at the Free Library within these pages, and I hope you enjoy this expanded new issue of Off the Shelf as much as I do. As always, I welcome your feedback! Warmly,
Khalil Reed, Jr., participates in the Literacy Enrichment After-school Program (LEAP) at Parkway Central Library.
Siobhan A. Reardon PHOTO CREDIT: Ryan Brandenberg
Joseph Stiglitz
Off the Shelf is published twice annually for supporters of the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation and showcases the Library’s educational, economic, and cultural contributions to the region.
Welcome to the Fall 2012 edition of the Free Library’s Off the Shelf magazine. You may notice that this issue feels a little heavier than our last two—that’s because we’ve expanded the magazine to include even more of the news and feature stories that you enjoy!
PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR
WHAT’S INSIDE 8
School After School: The Free Library’s Literacy Enrichment After-school Program
4
News & Notes
6
HIDDEN GEMS: POLITICAL CARTOONS
7
focus on: rooms with a view
12
From the Neighborhoods:
SERVING PHILADELPHIA’S NEW AMERICANS
14
The Final Word: ed rendell
15
BOARD LISTS
ROXBOROUGH
Blanche
Cobbs Creek A. Nixon/
Charles Santore
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Teens from around the city had the opportunity to learn how to be the next Steven Spielberg through the Free Library of Philadelphia’s Behind the ScreenS program.
Free Library to Announce
FEATURED SELECTION Mark your calendars: The Free Library is excited to announce the 2013 One Book, One Philadelphia featured selection on October 24 at Parkway Central Library! Now celebrating 11 years of literacy and community building in Philadelphia, the Free Library’s acclaimed One Book, One Philadelphia program motivates tens of thousands of people annually to read a featured selection and participate in related discussions, events, workshops, classes, and more. Stay tuned to freelibrary.org for the latest information about the upcoming One Book season!
Students from the Russell Byers Charter School and Bache-Martin Elementary School got a special treat when Second Lady Jill Biden stopped by Parkway Central this June to read from her new children’s book, Don’t Forget, God Bless Our Troops. Each child received a signed copy of the book to take home, thanks to the generosity of the Margaret S. Halloran Family Literacy Programming Series at the Parkway Central Library.
EDIT: Ryan
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Children enjoy special activities at their neighborhood libraries: (1) Preschoolers at Roxborough Library show off their ferocious lion masks; (2) First graders from Anderson Elementary enjoy storytime at Blanche A. Nixon/Cobbs Creek Library; (3) participants create their own wearable art during a weaving and bracelet-making workshop at Paschalville Library; and (4) children gather for Charles Santore Library’s annual Read-In.
Congrats to Siobhan Reardon, who received a Brava! Award from Smart CEO magazine for her leadership of the Free Library!
CUSTOMER CORNER
Summer Reading Success With plenty of books, special activities, and surprises, the Free Library’s Summer Reading program helped thousands of Philadelphia school students keep their minds sharp over their summer vacations—while having fun, of course! This flagship Library program supports literacy in Philadelphia by encouraging more than 50,000 children, teens, and adults to read and participate in Library programming during the summer months. Studies indicate that students who read five or more books over their school vacation can prevent summer “brain drain” and even make gains in their reading levels.
Hot Spot customer Sheila Harris using the computers at Heavenly Hall. Sheila Harris was in need of a job. Repeatedly, she rode the bus to her sister’s house where she could use a computer with internet access to search and apply for employment. One day, on her way to the bus stop, Sheila took notice of a Free Library Hot Spot banner at Heavenly Hall Annex in Philadelphia’s East Parkside neighborhood and decided to pay a visit to get more information.
Made possible by lead corporate sponsors Verizon and Wells Fargo—and other generous sponsors including the PKG Foundation, Philadelphia City Institute Board of Managers, and Harriet and Larry Weiss—the 2012 Summer Reading program kicked off at Parkway Central Library on June 8 with a surprise appearance by the Phillie Phanatic, who helped get everyone excited about books and reading. All summer long, children enjoyed a variety of special programming—from book clubs to dance lessons and music performances—and teens participated in a host of programs created especially for them, including gaming sessions and anime discussion groups. Children earned prizes for reading books and attending Library programs, and teens and adults could also win raffle prizes by submitting book reviews online.
From then on, Sheila continued to visit the Hot Spot—a Library initiative made possible by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, and Verizon that brings computer access, classes, and the internet to neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia—almost every day to search for jobs. She felt relieved to stop making the countless trips to her sister’s home and excited to receive the computer support and education she needed. With the help of the Hot Spot assistant Barbara Tait, Sheila became proficient in Microsoft Word and email. She was able to apply online for jobs independently. Thanks to the Hot Spot and Sheila’s efforts, she got a temporary job as a file clerk at Elwyn Institute, which transformed into longer and more varied employment because of her newly acquired computer skills. Sheila still visits the Heavenly Hall Hot Spot to develop her computer knowledge, but she can’t come as often as she used to: She’s too busy working at her new job!
Verizon representative Doug Smith reads to schoolchildren at THE Summer Reading kickoff at Parkway Central.
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PHOTO CREDIT: BARBARA TAIT
The Blanche A. Nixon/Cobbs Creek, West Oak Lane, Wyoming, and Richmond neighborhood libraries all participated in the program’s second year. From July 9 to August 24, participants gathered weekly at their local libraries to learn film and media literacy, along with story-crafting skills. The hands-on experience put them both behind and in front of the camera through every step of the movie-making process, from drafting story boards, writing dialogue, and acting, to shooting actual footage. Thanks to the help of Lil’ Filmmakers, a non-profit production company, and generous funding from the Wyncote Foundation, the teens’ works were turned into short films screened during the Behind the Screens Grand Finale. For most of the students, it was their first red-carpet experience, but thanks to Behind the Screens, it may not be their last.
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PHOTO CREDIT: Katie Riggan
Philadelphia Teens Experience the Magic of Movie-Making
HIDDEN GEMS
History in Black and White: Exploring the Past through Political Cartooning
The pundits are shouting; the blog posts are multiplying; and the latest political cartoons hammer away at candidates left and right: Election season is in full swing. While it seems like much of this is a product of our 24/7, media-saturated world, political cartooning has actually been used as a mechanism to voice opinion in what is now the United States since the 18th century. In fact, it was Philadelphia’s own Benjamin Franklin who started the craze with his now-iconic “Join or Die” cartoon, published in the Pennsylvania Gazette in 1754 as a reaction to the French and Indian War. It is only fitting, then, that the Free Library of Philadelphia’s Print and Picture Collection holds an incredible number of rare, hand-drawn political cartoons dating back to the 18th century and running through World War II. A selection of these fascinating, funny, and sometimes fearsome cartoons—which total some 2,500 in number—will be on display in Parkway Central Library’s West Gallery (First Floor) through November 11 as part of the Drawn into Politics exhibition.
says Aurora Deshauteurs, Head of the Print and Picture Collection. The cartoons featured in Drawn into Politics provide commentary on everything from Prohibition and foreign affairs to Philadelphia politics and the escalating cost of living. And despite the fact that many of them were created before today’s readers were born, Deshauteurs says they are pertinent even in our 21stcentury world. Ty Mahon. “The Crowded Clinic.” Philadelphia Evening Bulletin. November 18, 1939. Courtesy of the Print and Picture Collection.
This cartoon, called “The Crowded Clinic,” appeared in the
Philadelphia Evening Bulletin in November of 1939 and was drawn by Ty Mahon, who illustrated for the Bulletin as well as Esquire magazine in the 1930s and ‘40s. The cartoon is a nod to the
dramatic loss of funding for city institutions, including the
Free Library, in the wake of serious, Great Depression-induced
“Political cartoons are such an important part of our culture because they speak to readers on all levels and are able to sum up with a drawing and six or seven words what is often a really frustrating situation,”
budget cuts. Here, the “sickly”
“These cartoons are relevant because in terms of culture, economics, world affairs, and politics, we often repeat ourselves, so these really remain consistently fresh,” she notes. “In addition, these cartoons give us the sense that ‘this too shall pass.’ They illustrate how we have overcome wars, debt crises, and other tragedies and have managed to move forward as a society and as a country.” Drawn into Politics is on view in Parkway Central Library’s West Gallery until November 11. The exhibition is free and open to the public Monday – Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., Friday 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and Sunday 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
institutions crowd around City Council, looking for an antidote of additional
funding, INCLUDING
desperately needed building and
infrastructure upgrades.
• • • BY ALIX GERZ
Parkway Central
FOCUS ON
Renovations begin this winter in next phase of “Building Inspiration”
LEFT: Parkway Central’s entire fourth floor—including this outdated and NON-working kitchen—will receive a total renovation in the coming months. RIGHT: The Rare Book Department currently has limited space for showcasing its unique holdings (pictured here), but the next phase of “Building Inspiration” will ensure larger exhibition and conservation space.
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OWENS DENBERG
With soaring vistas from City Hall to the Franklin Institute, the Free Library’s outdoor Skyline Terrace has stunning views that rival the grandeur of Parkway Central itself. And this WINTER, the terrace’s adjoining interior space—the Skyline Room—and the rest of Parkway Central’s fourth floor are set to undergo a series of renovations that will restore it to its Beaux-Arts majesty and complement the gorgeous terrace. This massive fourth floor renovation—along with significant upgrades to the third floor Rare Book Department—signal the next step in the Free Library’s ambitious “Building Inspiration” plan, which seeks to secure the future of the Library system and its resources while providing significant capital improvements. The fourth floor, which is composed of the Skyline Room, several smaller spaces and offices, and an outdated, non-functioning kitchen, will shortly be transformed into a world-class conference and special-event space, ready to host everything from a gathering of children’s librarians sharing the latest storytelling techniques to a meeting of city planners discussing the future of Philadelphia. It will also continue to be rented for weddings and parties as well as provide a beautiful setting for special Library events and soirées. In addition, the kitchen space will be completely gutted and updated so that the Library can offer hands-on cooking demonstrations and culinary literacy classes. The Rare Book Department is also being readied to undergo renovations to enhance its conservation and exhibition space, ensuring that its precious artifacts—ranging from ancient cuneiform tablets to drawings by Beatrix Potter—are not only stored in museum-quality space but also safely and beautifully displayed for the public to enjoy. “This series of renovations to the Parkway Central Library showcases the types of flexible spaces and innovative programs
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PHOTO CREDIT: RYAN BRAN
that the Free Library is dedicated to creating and sustaining for our community,” said Siobhan A. Reardon, President and Director. “I’m thrilled that we will be offering culinary literacy classes in a state-of-the-art kitchen just one floor above the department where we show off Charles Dickens’s writing desk. These renovations will allow our librarians to inspire curiosity in bold new ways.” “Building Inspiration” will continue to bring renovations and restorations of this caliber not only to Parkway Central but also to neighborhood libraries throughout Philadelphia, enhancing and beautifying the century-old system. In addition, the plan encompasses much more than capital improvements, and highlights an effort to bolster the Library’s endowment; garner funds to secure the Library’s services well into the future; and invest in fresh and innovative programming. This grand, comprehensive project will ensure that a new century of customers will be able to learn, create, connect, and grow at the Free Library of Philadelphia. • • • BY ALIX GERZ
Work on Parkway Central’s third and fourth floors is slated to begin this January and should be completed within a year. Stay tuned to freelibrary.org and the next issue of Off the Shelf for the latest in “Building Inspiration” news and photographs.
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bun thuch (left), the leap after-school leader at whitman library, assists a student with his homework.
Mary SturdivaNt (second from left), Parkway Central Library AFTER-SCHOOL LEADER, works with LEAP participants (from left) Amber DeShields, Branch Weidner, and Jay Weidner.
PHOTO CREDIT: RYAN BRANDENBERG
• • • BY Michelle Saraceni Sheffer
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School After School LEAP: OUR Literacy Enrichment After-school Program
A young man bursts through the front doors of the Whitman Library in South Philadelphia and makes a beeline for Bun Thuch—an After-School Leader in the Free Library of Philadelphia’s acclaimed Literacy Enrichment After-school Program—who sits at a small table in the branch’s Children’s Department organizing materials for the after-school crowd.
Across town at the Wynnefield Library in West Philadelphia, LEAP regular Reginald Faison, III, (or Reggie for short), a bespectacled 8-year-old with boundless energy, sits down with his mother, Michelle Graham-Faison, and they begin to review handmade flash cards featuring Reggie’s ever-growing sets of vocabulary words. Reggie’s palpable joy each time he correctly reads and matches a word is infectious—and inspiring. Scenes like these play out every day after school, in 53 neighborhood libraries throughout Philadelphia, all part of the Free Library’s Literacy Enrichment After-school Program. From oneon-one homework help to special activities that foster traditional literacy as well as 21st-century skills in science, technology, and cultural arts, LEAP offers school students a safe and supportive place where they can gather together to learn, explore, and grow.
“I need help with my homework!” the young man exclaims, an edge of panic lacing his voice. “It’s math.” Bun motions for the teen to grab a seat and reassures him, smiling, that they’ll tackle the problems together. They set to work.
“LEAP is one of the Library’s most important programs,” says Siobhan A. Reardon, President and Director of the Free Library. “By wholeheartedly supporting and championing Philadelphia’s youth both academically and socially, LEAP instills a passion for learning that not only helps children and teens succeed in school but also lays the foundation for success later in life. LEAP is creating a new generation of lifelong learners who care deeply about their communities, which will strengthen our city as a whole.”
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A free, drop-in program for students in grades 1 through 12, LEAP is offered four days a week during the school year, coordinated by an adult After-School Leader (ASL), with help from two or three Teen Leadership Assistants (TLAs). Every afternoon, the ASL and TLAs help LEAP attendees with homework as needed; they also plan and execute literacy-based programs, often in partnership with other area organizations, like the “LEAP into Science” program series presented in conjunction with the Franklin Institute. For many young people who struggle academically or come from families who speak English as a second language, LEAP and the Free Library provide a crucial safe haven for learning—sometimes the only place in the neighborhood where they can enjoy a positive, resource-rich environment. LEAP’s impact is far-reaching, indeed: In the 2011-2012 school year alone, LEAP served more than 70,000 school students around the city. “I can’t imagine children’s services at the Free Library without LEAP,” says Liz Fitzgerald, Children’s Librarian at the Wynnefield Library. “In today’s crazy world, where many parents work long hours, we are here to help. Kids come to the library for LEAP, and they are safe, learning, and happy. It takes a village to raise a child, and we’re proud to be a part of that.”
One of the reasons why LEAP is so successful is its focus on teenage mentorship. Each school year, the Free Library employs approximately 150-159 Teen Leadership Assistants, providing high school students with valuable work experience as well as extensive training in program development, college prep, and more. With a focus on positive attitude, community service, and being a strong role model for their younger peers—and at a time when employment opportunities for teens are scarce—the TLA position ensures that dedicated young adults have the opportunity to gain work experience and develop their leadership skills for a successful future. Very often, TLAs started out as LEAP attendees, and many TLAs stay with the Library to become Associate Leaders while they are in college, then become After-School Leaders after they graduate—or even librarians! (See sidebar, page 11) Take Bun Thuch, for example. He began volunteering at the Free Library in 2002, stopping by the South Philadelphia Library nearly every day to shelve books and assist with small projects, as part of a school-based community service requirement. Interested in becoming more involved at the Library once his school requirement ended, Bun was hired as a TLA and then later as an ASL; he now oversees LEAP at the Whitman Library.
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Reggie Faison (left) reacts with glee at accurately matching and reading his vocabulary words, as his proud mother, Michelle Graham-Faison, looks on at Wynnefield Library.
From PhD candidates to leaders in business, government, and the sciences, former LEAP Teen Leadership Assistants (TLAS) and After-School Leaders (ASLS) have gone on to achieve great things. Lucky for us, so many of them have been inspired to remain in public service, and we are proud to count them among our ranks at the Free Library of Philadelphia! Below, meet a few former LEAP TLAs and ASLS who are now Free Library librarians, tech gurus, outreach coordinators, and more:
“LEAP and the Library are a refuge for me,” Michelle says. “Coming here keeps us focused— there’s no TV, no video games, no snacks. It’s a safe place where I know we don’t have to worry. I don’t know what I’d do without the Library.” nning
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“Being an After-School Leader doesn’t feel like a job to me. It’s more like a really fun hobby,” he says. “I just have so much fun working with kids and watching them grow up. You get to see a lot of little milestones, like when a kid picks up a book to read on his own after you’ve been reading to him for a while, or when a quiet kid who doesn’t speak much English comes out of his shell and becomes much more vocal.” Originally offered three days a week for students in first through sixth grade at the Free Library’s busiest locations, LEAP was established in 1989 with the support of private funding from the William Penn Foundation, in response to the overwhelming number of students who would pour into neighborhood libraries each day at 3:00 p.m. Parents wanted a safe place for their children to go after school, and librarians wanted help in providing productive structure for these children. LEAP was immediately successful and quickly beloved by parents, librarians, and—most importantly—students alike. In 2000, a significant grant from the Carnegie Corporation allowed the Free Library of Philadelphia to expand LEAP system-wide, and then-Mayor John Street committed City funding when the Carnegie grant period ended. Unfortunately, the 2008 economic downturn resulted in stringent budget cuts, and LEAP lost funding. Thanks to a combination of support from the Department of Human Services, grant makers, corporations, and private individuals, the Free Library has been able to continue offering LEAP in the wake of these cuts, but now more than ever, private support is absolutely crucial in keeping LEAP alive for the thousands of Philadelphia school students who depend on it each year.
Reggie Faison is one such student who has grown leaps and bounds thanks to the support of LEAP—and to the tireless work of his dedicated mother, Michelle. Every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, mother and son visit Wynnefield after school to practice reading without the endless distractions of home. “LEAP and the Library are a refuge for me,” Michelle says. “Coming here keeps us focused—there’s no TV, no video games, no snacks. It’s a safe place where I know we don’t have to worry. I don’t know what I’d do without the Library.” Michelle and Reggie began frequenting Wynnefield after Reggie brought home a report card early in the school year that indicated his reading level was significantly below where it should be for a first-grade student. Michelle immediately took action to help Reggie improve his reading skills, making vocabulary flashcards and PowerPoint slides with various word families for Reggie to study and learn. They keep a reading log and set daily and weekly learning goals. Plus, LEAP offers an extra incentive for Reggie to concentrate on his work; after he finishes up, he can join in the special literacy programs and craft sessions with his peers. Michelle credits Children’s Librarian Liz Fitzgerald and Wynnefield Library’s LEAP staff with helping her keep Reggie engaged in literacy and learning by suggesting age-appropriate books that he’s excited to read, like the Elephant & Piggie series by Mo Willems and the Fly Guy series by Tedd Arnold. She also credits the LEAP staff with acting as positive role models for her son, cheering him on as he builds his literacy skills. Their collective hard work has paid off, as Michelle’s proud smile reveals when she holds up Reggie’s end-of-year report card: He now reads at an advanced level for his age. How does Reggie feel about his newfound reading skills? “It’s pretty great,” he states, matter-of-factly. “I’m going to keep coming here over the summer, definitely.” Success stories like Reggie’s can be found in libraries throughout the city thanks to the help of the Literacy Enrichment After-school Program. By advancing literacy, guiding learning, and inspiring curiosity for the thousands of children and teens who visit their neighborhood libraries after school each year, LEAP and the Free Library work hard to ensure that Philadelphia’s future is nothing but bright. ••• Whitman Library’s Children’s Department walls are lined with original artwork created by its LEAP participants (left). LEAP at the Free Library integrates traditional literacy with the arts and sciences for a comprehensive learning environment.
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: betsy CREDIT
Khaleef Aye
SUNMOON BEY
Elizabeth Kenny
Current position: Hot Spot Community Outreach Specialist
Current position: Hot Spot Computer Assistant and After-School Leader
Current position: Children’s Librarian, Ramonita G. de Rodriguez Library
Was TLA at: Queen Memorial Library
Was ASL at: Charles Santore Library
Favorite part of LEAP: My favorite part of LEAP is being able to help a child grasp a concept that perhaps gave him or her difficulty.
Favorite part of LEAP: My favorite part of LEAP was getting to know the kids.
Was TLA at: Cecil B. Moore Library Favorite part of LEAP: Nothing comes close to the professional education that I received from my experience as a TLA. When teens have similar experiences that are coupled with the direct impact that TLAs have on youth in their community, it becomes a truly unique and fulfilling position. Favorite thing about the Free Library: The Free Library services are about more than just getting people to understand the rapid changes in technology. From downloadable media to Hot Spots, we challenge our patrons to embrace, understand, and employ technology.
Favorite thing about the Free Library: My favorite thing about the Free Library is that it promotes knowledge.
Susan Strecker
JoAnne Woods
Karen Worley
Current position: Librarian, Parkway Central Library, Social Science and History Department
Current position: Children’s Librarian, South Philadelphia Library
Current position: Program Specialist, Parkway Central Library, The Office of Public Service Support
Was TLA at: Fox Chase Library Favorite part of LEAP: I loved putting on programs for the kids, from holiday arts and crafts to gaming days. It gave me a chance to be creative and, of course, interact with the kids in a different way. I loved working with them. Favorite thing about the Free Library: I think it has to be the staff. It almost feels like belonging to a family here. Everyone is so friendly and supportive!
Was ASL at: South Philadelphia Library Favorite part of LEAP: Homework Help. Many families at this branch are new Americans, and there is too much of a language barrier for parents to help their kids with homework. It is great that the library is able to meet this community need. Favorite thing about the Free Library: The Free Library is so much more than a building with books. Libraries provide storytimes, homework help, programming (educational and fun), and access to computers with librarians who can help people with their searches. For me, I love that I am able to facilitate learning.
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Favorite thing about the Free Library: My favorite part of the Free Library is being a positive part of a community.
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Was TLA at: McPherson Square Library Favorite part of LEAP: Being able to help the students and seeing them grow as individuals. Favorite thing about the Free Library: My favorite thing about the Free Library is being able to use my knowledge and skills to make a difference in the programs and services that we offer to our patrons.
A Hundred Years in the Making:
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H R O B IGH
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QUEEN MEMORIAL AND CHARLES SANTORE
LEFT: Regional Librarian Jennifer Chang (far right) helps New Americans learn basic computer skills in the Gates Lab at Northeast Regional Library. RIGHT: A Translation Station helps library staff communicate with non-English speaking customers in ten different languages including Arabic, Cambodian, and Korean.
BELOW: Let’s Speak English groups— which meet weekly in several libraries across the system—help international adults practice conversational English.
Welcome! Willkommen! ようこそ！
Serving Philadelphia’s New Americans photo Credit: George Matysik
photo Credit: Tim Graham
Libraries speak a universal language. No matter where they are located, libraries signal community, safety, learning, and advancement. They are a place where neighbors gather to meet, learn, and interact. It is this sense of community and opportunity that draws new Americans in Philadelphia to the Free Library.
extensive collections of world-language materials—books, CDs, DVDs— bring a little taste of home to customers when they need it most. Although assimilating to a new culture is difficult and often trying, the journey is rewarding—both to customers and library staff alike. “There is often a challenge of basic communication, such as conveying that the ESL classes are full—which they almost always are,” remarks Catherine Krystopowicz, Branch Manager of Bushrod. But the adjustment period pays off. “Learning to speak English facilitates an immigrant’s assimilation into society, as well as the use of the library services.”
The 2010 Census reports that 12% of Philadelphia’s population was born outside of the United States and almost a quarter of homes speak a language other than English. Navigating the ins and outs of urban life is sometimes hard enough for born-and-raised Philadelphians, and the language and cultural barriers that burden new Americans only add to that difficulty. The Free Library of Philadelphia is committed to offering helpful, accessible resources to all: English-language classes, special world-language collections, citizenship classes, online language tools, and much more across all of its neighborhood libraries. Libraries in Northeast Philadelphia, a section of the city settled by a diverse immigrant population, serve individuals and families from across the globe. New Americans from China, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Turkey, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Greece, Cuba, Brazil, Haiti, Ukraine, and more establish themselves in Philadelphia and look to the neighborhood libraries for support during their acclimation process. “It’s very welcoming here,” explains Jennifer Chang, Regional Librarian at the Northeast Regional Library. “People have their own communities in the library, and it’s a good place to grow their families.” At Bushrod Branch, another neighborhood library in the Northeast, English-language classes empower participants with new vocabulary; after-school program staff help children who speak limited English; and
And with the Free Library’s online digital resources, customers wishing to practice their language skills at home are in luck. Programs like Mango Languages, available at freelibrary.org, provide interactive language acquisition in a variety of world languages including Spanish, French, Japanese, Brazilian Portuguese, German, Russian, and more, as well as English-as-a-Second-Language classes in multiple languages. Mango Languages combines practical conversational skills with memory-building activities through interactive lessons, all accessible with a Free Library card and PIN.
photo Credit: George Matysik
The Free Library of Philadelphia is committed to offering helpful, accessible resources to all: English-language classes, special worldlanguage collections, citizenship classes, online language tools, and much more across all of its neighborhood libraries.
2012 marks the 100-year anniversary for two of our neighborhood libraries. Both Queen Memorial and Charles Santore libraries are celebrating a century of service in South Philadelphia! Queen Memorial Library—named after Philadelphia optician, pioneer microscope maker, and philanthropist James W. Queen—became part of the Free Library system on December 13, 1912. Currently located in the Landreth Apartments, a residence for seniors on 23rd and Federal Streets, Queen Memorial was first housed in a church on 33rd and Wharton Streets, and then relocated to Point Breeze Avenue, before settling in its final location in 1995. The library now serves the surrounding community and is proud to celebrate its history and service: “The 100-year anniversary means quite a bit,” says Betty Beauford, head of Queen Memorial’s Friends Group. “The library is a wonderful resource for our community and is very needed in our neighborhood—the resources are constantly being utilized!” Charles Santore Library, originally the Southwark Library, was a Carnegie Building located at 5th and Ellsworth Streets that opened on November 15, 1912. After moving locations in 1963 to South 7th Street in Bella Vista, close to the Italian Market, the library eventually changed its name in 2004 to honor Charles Santore, a South Philadelphia boxer, Republican ward leader, and father of the acclaimed, eponymous children’s book illustrator. Currently, Charles Santore is closed for renovations, but the staff is looking forward to reopening in early September and celebrating the anniversary. Janet Puchino, Branch Manager at Santore, says the celebration—taking place on November 10, 2012—will be an opportunity for the Library to offer customers a memorable thank you for their support: “It will be an all-day event, generously paid for by the Friends of the Charles Santore Library. There will be music, fun, games, historical images, contests, and prizes!” And, of course, a celebratory cake. With celebrations and a commitment to their communities, we look forward to what the next 100 years will bring to Queen Memorial and Charles Santore libraries! • • • BY EILEEN OWENS photo Credit: EILEEN KENNEDY
However, it’s not just language skills that the neighborhood libraries are focused on—they assist new Americans in all aspects of adjusting to life in Philadelphia. At Northeast Regional, workshops for small business owners and computer classes are constantly in demand. Recently, librarians held a trilingual program for customers buying a home for the first time. Participants gained knowledge on the process of home ownership in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin. Across the city, Philadelphia’s population is increasingly diverse. The Northeast libraries—and their many immigrant communities— are just a few examples of how the Free Library strives to serve all Philadelphians. As each neighborhood library assists its distinctive blend of cultures and ethnicities, the Free Library is proud to be part of a welcoming new home. • • • BY EILEEN OWENS
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Queen Memorial’s original location at Hope Presbyterian Church at 33rd and Wharton Streets Queen Memorial’s present location on South 23rd Street Originally named Southwark Library, charles santore library was a Carnegie Building located at 5th and Ellsworth streets. Children’s department of the Charles Santore branch currently located on 7th and Carpenter streets photo Credit: Ryan Brandenberg
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FREE LIBRARY OF PHILADELPHIA BOARD OF TRUSTEES Chair
Robert C. Heim Members
Dubbed “America’s Mayor” by Al Gore, Ed Rendell served as Mayor of Philadelphia from 1992 to 2000, during which time he revived the city’s economy, expanded neighborhood services, and reformed the city government’s approach to poverty. As Governor of Pennsylvania from 2003 to 2011, he achieved similar progress, improving education and increasing access to health care. Rendell served as Chairman of the Democratic National Committee and is presently a senior political contributor for MSNBC and the author of A Nation of Wusses: How America’s Leaders Lost the Guts to Make Us Great. He found a moment in his busy schedule to chat with Off the Shelf: OTS What role have libraries played in your life? ER Although I went to my local library growing up in New York
City, I really did not appreciate their significance until I became Mayor of Philadelphia. OTS What role do you think the Free Library fulfills for the citizens of Philadelphia? ER An enormous, important role. As mayor, I began to realize that
although our Parkway Central Library is an amazing building with great resources, it is our branch libraries that are crucial to the quality of life to our citizens in the neighborhood. They are oases of tranquility in what are often violent, challenged neighborhoods. Young people go to them and have a sense of security and stability and at the same time gain an appreciation of reading and books. It is also true that our branch libraries are often the only place that young people can learn to use computers. Even in more affluent areas, the libraries are great places for learning and fun. As my son Jesse grew up, we would often go to our neighborhood East Falls branch (Falls of Schuylkill) on Halloween eve to hear some exciting ghost stories read to groups of youngsters. OTS Your new book, A Nation of Wusses, posits that American leaders are more concerned with the next election than making the hard decisions that could positively affect our country. Are there particular areas that stand out for you where you feel leaders have abdicated their responsibility and deferred to the ballot box? ER The most topical example of this is on the issue of responsible
limitations on gun ownership. No elected official of any stripe could honestly believe that it is appropriate or that it should be lawful for
a citizen to posses a semi-automatic rifle or magazine clip that has 100 bullets. After the Gabby Giffords incident where the carnage killed and injured many Arizonans, including a 9-year-old girl who came out to see her congresswoman, a poll showed that more than 70% of Americans favored making it illegal to posses such items that only exist for combat purposes and allow the killing of multiple people in a shockingly short period of time. Despite this poll, the NRA has so effectively terrorized Washington that legislation was never even brought up for a vote. Almost no elected official has had a mature dialogue about the need for these limited and targeted types of controls. OTS Do you see more instances of this type of behavior on the local or national level? Or are Americans subjected to this at every level of politics? ER The unwillingness of our elected officials to take risks that
might endanger their remaining in office exists at every level of our government. This has caused near-paralysis at every level of government when it comes to doing any initiative that is the slightest bit hard. We have spiraled a long way downward from the time President John F. Kennedy said, “We do these things not because they are easy but because they are hard.” OTS You’ve been District Attorney and Mayor of Philadelphia, as well as Governor of Pennsylvania. What about our city and Commonwealth have inspired you TO devote your life to public service? ER Philadelphia is a wonderful, vibrant, and historic city and our
Donna Allie Steven M. Altschuler Christopher Arlene Jacqueline Barnett Darwin Beauvais Peter A. Benoliel Patricia A. Coulter Pamela Dembe Tobey Gordon Dichter W. Wilson Goode, Sr. Melissa Grimm Nancy D. Kolb Noel Mayo Sonia Sanchez John J. Soroko Sherry A. Swirsky Nicholas D. Torres Ignatius C. Wang Shelly Yanoff Emeritus
Joseph F. Burke Gloria Twine Chisum Armand Della Porta Herman Mattleman Teresa Sarmina
Michael DiBerardinis Deputy Mayor for the Environment and Community Resources
Irv Ackelsberg Friends of the Free Library
Tobey Gordon Dichter Members
EMERITUS
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Wish List
Chair
To listen to ED RENDELL’S Author Events podcast—AMONG OTHERS—visit freelibrary.org/authorevents.
FOR $25,000
FREE LIBRARY OF PHILADELPHIA FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
of Imagination. I often tell young people that when they read a description of a monster in a book it’s better than seeing that monster depicted on film because in a film, someone has decided how the monster should look, but when you read it in a book, you decide. You are the director, set designer, and the costume creator. When you use your imagination, that monster will always turn out to be much scarier.
OTS To you, the Free Library of Philadelphia is also the Free Library of ____. Why? ER To me the Free Library of Philadelphia is also the Free Library
When you make a planned gift —an estate or life income gift—of any size to the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation, you join the Benoliel Society and help ensure the Library’s services will be available for future generations . For more information or to find out how to make the planned gift that’s right for you, please contact Amanda Goldstein at 215567-77 10 or goldsteina@freelibrary.org .
Ex-Officio
Cynthia Affleck James H. Averill Phyllis W. Beck Peter A. Benoliel Sheldon Bonovitz George Day Andrea Ehrlich Daniel K. Fitzpatrick W. Wilson Goode, Sr. Daniel Gordon Richard A. Greenawalt Elizabeth Grenald Robert C. Heim John Imbesi Geoffrey Kent Alexander Kerr Marciene S. Mattleman Leslie Miller Stephanie W. Naidoff Patrick M. Oates Derek N. Pew William R. Sasso Susan G. Smith Miriam Spector Stacey Leigh Spector Barbara Sutherland Jay Weinstein Larry Weiss
Commonwealth is much the same. They both played a crucial role in our country’s fight for independence and in the development of our basic freedoms. It has been an honor to serve as the leader of both. A career in public service may have its handicaps—low pay, difficult working conditions, intense media scrutiny, etc.—but the rewards of being able to use your energy and talent to change people’s lives for the better is literally priceless.
L eave a L e g ac y. E nsure the future of the free li b rar y.
Marie Field Elizabeth H. Gemmill A. Morris Williams, Jr.
The Wish List below details just a few of the many ways your support of the Foundation can enhance and improve the Free Library of Philadelphia: FOR $25,000 a neighborhood library can provide after-school programming for thousands of children four days a week throughout an entire school year. FOR $20,000 Behind the Screens, a film literacy program for teens, can be presented in four branches for two months. Filmmaking equipment is included. FOR $5,000 the Free Library can provide 20 programs for job seekers on writing a résumé, conducting an online job search, and preparing for an interview.
FOR $2,500 a series of 10 Englishas-a-Second-Language classes can be offered in a branch. FOR $1,000 one is recognized as part of the George S. Pepper Society, the most generous group of library supporters, and enjoys exclusive opportunities to meet with renowned authors. FOR $500 the Free Library can add 75 ebooks to its collection to be downloaded and read by hundreds of individuals.
To learn how you can make a gift to the Foundation, visit freelibrary.org/support or call 215-567-7710.
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The Free Library is one of the most important educational and cultural institutions in Philadelphia. The City of Philadelphia provides funds for the operations of the Free Library system, including staffing at our 54 locations. Through the generosity of individual gifts, the Free Library Foundation supports many of the Library’s incredible programs and services, which advance literacy, guide learning, and inspire curiosity throughout our city. To make a gift to the Foundation, please visit freelibrary.org/support or call 215-567-7710.
YEAR OF DICKENS 2012 As our Year of Dickens 2012 draws to a close, be sure to celebrate with these lively and literary events and exhibitions this fall! Literary Salons: OCTOBER 18
BLEAK HOUSE
NOVEMBER 15
OUR MUTUAL FRIEND
DECEMBER 20
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Exhibitions: Continuing in the Rare Book Department through January 4, 2013, “At Home on the Stage: Charles Dickens and the Theatre” showcases playbills, LETTERS, and other items that highlight Dickens’s flair for the dramatic! Visit Parkway Central’s West Gallery to view a beautiful exhibition from the Philadelphia Calligrapher’s Society celebrating the works of Dickens from November 12 – DECEMBER 31, 2012. Sikes and Nancy: A Special Performance by Gerald Dickens Charles Dickens’s great-great grandson presents his dynamic one-man show, Sikes and Nancy, on September 18, at 7:30 p.m.—Victorian theatre at its most dramatic!
For more information and a full schedule of events, please visit freelibrary.org/dickens!