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VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 1
OFF the SHELF A MAGAZINE FROM the Free Library of Philadelphia
ONE FOR THE BOOKS THE GROUNDBREAKING ROSENBACH OF THE FREE LIBRARY OF PHILADELPHIA FOUNDATION
ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE AT THE PARKWAY CENTRAL LIBRARY as we celebrate 450 years of the incomparable William Shakespeare, from the theatre stalls of Elizabethan England to the vibrant streets of 21st-century Philadelphia. Join us on Saturday, December 7 at 7:00 p.m. for a spectacular evening of poetry and performance, dinner and dancing—all in honor of the Bard and in support of the Free Library! To purchase tickets, visit freelibrary.org/bard.
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING AUTHOR EVENTS FOR MORE Info: 215-567-4341 • freelibrary.org/authorevents
NOV 7 • 7:30 PM
NOV 12 • 7:30 PM
NOV 14 • 7:30 PM
NOV 18 • 7:30 PM
NOV 19 • 7:30 PM
FREE
TICKET REQUIRED
FREE
TICKET REQUIRED
FREE
What Are You Hungry For?: The Chopra Solution to Permanent Weight Loss, Well-Being, and Lightness of Soul
Deepak Chopra
Katrina van Grouw
Ivan Klima
Julius Erving
The Unfeathered Bird
My Crazy Century
Dr. J: The Autobiography
Robert Stone Death of the Black-Haired Girl
SIMULCAST AVAILABLE
NOV 21 • 7:30 PM
NOV 26 • 7:30 PM
DEC 3 • 7:30 PM
DEC 5 • 7:30 PM
DEC 12 • 7:30 PM
FREE
FREE
TICKET REQUIRED
TICKET REQUIRED
FREE
Joe Sacco
John Heilemann
The Great War: July 1, 1916: The First Day of the Battle of the Somme
and
Deborah Solomon
Mark Helperin
American Mirror: The Life and Art of Norman Rockwell
Double Down: Game Change 2012
Alice McDermott Someone
with
Lauren Grodstein The Explanation for Everything
Lester Brown Breaking New Ground: A Personal History
From the President and Director
Free Library of Philadelphia President and Director
Siobhan A. Reardon Associate Director
Dr. Joseph McPeak Vice President of Development
Melissa B. Greenberg Vice President of External Affairs
Sandra Horrocks Director of Communications and Brand Marketing
Alix Gerz SENIOR Writer AND Editor
Michelle Saraceni Sheffer COMMUNICATIONS AND PRODUCTION COORDINATOR
Eileen Owens Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation
1901 Vine Street, Suite 111 Philadelphia, PA 19103 215-567-7710 freelibrary.org/support OFF THE SHELF
offtheshelf@freelibrary.org freelibrary.org/publications 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. ON THE COVER: On the cover and below are a variety of images illustrating the depth and breadth of the rare, complementary collections of the Rosenbach and the Free Library.
This issue kicks off the third anniversary of Off the Shelf, and to celebrate we’re bringing you stories that highlight the Free Library’s commitment to guiding learning—a key tenet of our mission. While we have millions of items that you can check out, special collections that you can view, or digital services that you can access at freelibrary.org, many of our resources truly come to life because of the expertise of our librarians and staff. Our cover story focuses on the Free Library Foundation’s recent merger with The Rosenbach Museum & Library, creating the The Rosenbach of the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation. Combined, the Free Library and the Rosenbach’s special collections now comprise one of the most astounding collections of rare books and ephemera in the world. With new exhibitions and topical online resources in the works, our librarians and curators are ensuring that our customers enjoy learning about these amazing holdings. One of the rarest items in the Free Library’s special collections is Shakespeare’s First Folio, which you’ll read all about in this issue’s Hidden Gems section and will have the chance to see live this coming winter, as it will be on display as part of the Year of the Bard: Shakespeare at 450, the Library’s year-long birthday party for Shakespeare running throughout 2014. Also in this issue, we’re bringing you news of how our librarians are preparing to help customers better navigate a 21st-century world in which health care is a top priority and concern. With the creation of a new Healthcare Advisory Council, a plethora of exciting new initiatives are in the offing, ensuring that our customers have the resources and knowledge they need to make healthy decisions and live richer, fuller lives. As always, I hope you enjoy this issue of Off the Shelf! Warmly,
Siobhan A. Reardon PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR
WHAT’S INSIDE 8
One for the Books: THE GROUNDBREAKING ROSENBACH OF THE FREE LIBRARY OF PHILADELPHIA FOUNDATION
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News and Notes HIDDEN GEMS: the First Folio focus on: Happy Birthday to the Bard The Library of the 21st Century: Nurturing Mind and Body The Final Word: Jamie Moyer BOARD LISTS
2014
AnnouncING THE
FEATURED SELECTION We are excited to announce that the 2014 One Book, One Philadelphia featured selection is The Yellow Birds by Kevin Powers. Winner of the 2013 PEN/Hemingway Award for First Fiction and a finalist for the 2012 National Book Award, The Yellow Birds has been compared to Tim O’Brien’s classic war novel, The Things They Carried, for its powerful depiction of the truth and tragedy of war. Poet/novelist Powers vividly tells the story of a young soldier struggling to find meaning in his harrowing experiences as a soldier in Iraq, while suffering profound guilt over his friend and fellow soldier’s death, as well as alienation from community and family upon his return home. According to The New York Times, “Kevin Powers has something to say, something deeply moving about the frailty of man and the brutality of war, and we should all lean closer and listen.”
DIRECTOR OF AUTHOR EVENTS POSITION ENDOWED The Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to longtime Library supporters Ruth W. and A. Morris Williams, Jr., who generously endowed the Director of Author Events position at the Free Library Foundation, held by Andy Kahan, in recognition of his excellence in leading this flagship Free Library program. With their gift, the Author Events Series will continue to foster great conversations with the world’s leading writers and thinkers for many years to come. Thank you, Ruth and Morris!
Don’t miss the One Book Kickoff on January 22, 2014, and in the meantime, get reading!
Taking Flight at Philadelphia International Airport
-Fi at ts free Wi s users of i l splash page welcome specia a e go! delphia h th it la w ort of Phi ers on Library ional Airp ally for travel The Free ci Internat ent espe delphia nt la co d e Phi te th ides cura that prov
The Free Library’s newest virtual library is now at the Philadelphia International Airport. Located in the D/E connector area, the Library’s free Wi-Fi welcomes users with a special splash page that provides access to our ebooks, Author Events podcasts, and historic photographs of Philadelphia from our digital collections. The Library’s strategic partnership with the airport launched in July, and we are excited to be able to offer our educational and entertaining content to visitors from around the world. Plus, we’re proud to announce that we’ve received the Top Innovator Award from the Urban Libraries Council for our work at the Airport! Expanded Free Library Wi-Fi services have begun in the A/B connector area—where our exhibition featuring 50 great Philadelphia writers continues through June 2014—with an anticipated, airport-wide completion of the Library’s Wi-Fi in March of 2014.
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TACONY
SOUTH PHILA
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CHARLES L. DURHAM
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IT WAS AN EXCITING FEW MONTHS AROUND THE LIBRARY SYSTEM THIS SUMMER, ESPECIALLY FOR OUR YOUNGEST CUSTOMERS. (1) South Philadelphia Library hosted Girls Rock Philly, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering girls to start their own bands. (2) Young customers at Tacony Library made their own animated movies at a Claymation workshop. (3) Budding artists discovered the art of rock (and face!) painting at Katharine Drexel Library. (4) Teens explored the wonders of robotics at Charles L. Durham Library.
CUSTOMER CORNER:
Here at Off the Shelf, we’re always looking for better ways to bring our readers the content they want in the format they prefer. To help better refine our magazine, we’re asking all of our readers to visit freelibrary.org/publications and take a moment to complete a brief online survey about what you like best about Off the Shelf and what Free Library topics you’d like us to cover in the future. Let us know at freelibrary.org/publications!
JUDGE JOHN YOUNGE BEFORE JUDGE JOHN YOUNGE WAS PRESIDING OVER CASES IN CITY HALL, HE WAS A YOUNG LIBRARY CUSTOMER DISCOVERING THE VALUES OF KNOWLEDGE, INDEPENDENCE, AND COMMUNITY—IDEALS THAT WOULD GUIDE THE WAY TO A CAREER IN PUBLIC SERVICE.
LIBRARY FOR THE BLIND AND PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED NOW OFFERS DIGITIZED MAGAZINE PROGRAM This past spring, the Library of Congress’s National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) transitioned its audio magazine program from outdated analog cassette recordings to new digital cartridges. Customers of our Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped can now enjoy enhanced sound quality and navigation capabilities for all NLS-produced magazines on their digital talking-book players. To learn more about digital magazine cartridges and other specialized services available through the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, please call 215-683-3213.
Judge Younge grew up just a half-block away from the Blanche A. Nixon/Cobbs Creek neighborhood library. It was the first place he was allowed to visit on his own without his parents. Working on homework or reading through his most recent stack of checked-out books, Younge says he and the library “were always on good terms.” Throughout the years as an avid library visitor and then Chairman of the Board of the Friends of the Free Library, he understands the library is a place for the neighborhood to gather, a “way of accessing the pulse of the community.” Now, as a judge, he continues to appreciate the sense of neighborhood connectivity the Free Library provides. “The library is a multi-faceted asset to any neighborhood,” Younge says, as it is constantly evolving according to “whatever the community decides it to be.” And from his early days at Cobbs Creek, Judge Younge knows first-hand how important a role it can play.
Customers of the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped can now enjoy a wide variety of magazines on digital cartridges.
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Photo courtesy of Judge John Younge
We want to hear from you!
HIDDEN GEMS
The First Folio 82
#
The title
page of the First Folio
includes an image of the author,
made from a copper plate engraved by Martin Droeshout. On the opposite page is a poem by Ben Johnson encouraging readers to appreciate Shakespeare’s wit “not for his Picture, but his Booke.” Shakespeare, William, John Heminge, and Henry Condell. 1623. Mr. William Shakespeares comedies, histories, & tragedies. Published according to the true originall copies.
As the Free Library prepares to kick off a year-long, citywide celebration of the 450th birthday of William Shakespeare (see facing page), one of its most rare and unique holdings is celebrating its very own milestone. Published in 1623, the Rare Book Department’s copy of Shakespeare’s First Folio is marking its 390th year, and will be on display this winter for the first time in over 40 years to commemorate the Bard’s birth. Of the 750 First Folios that were originally printed, only 232 remain, and the Free Library’s copy is one of only 40 complete iterations in the world. In it are found the collected works of Shakespeare, compiled for the first time by his fellow actors John Heminge and Henry Condell. “Shakespeare is so important to English literature and to the English language,” notes Janine Pollock, Head of the Rare Book Department. “Yet without the First Folio much of his work would have been lost to time. It’s because of this critical book that we know Lady Macbeth, Prospero from The Tempest, and Viola from Twelfth Night.” In addition to Shakespeare’s works, the Free Library’s copy of the First Folio contains rare marginalia, which has been dated prior to 1670. These unique notes have led some scholars to state that it’s the most interesting copy in the United States. According to Pollock, scholars working on the Folio believe the annotations, bracketing, and underlining to be the work of at least three different hands, possibly those of scholars and performers. Some of the markings are an attempt to correct perceived errors in the text; others
highlight key passages; and still others point out textual variants as well as sources for some of the passages. Perhaps the most striking bit of marginalia is the handwritten prologue—written by Shakespeare but lost in this first published edition—to Romeo and Juliet, which famously begins: “Two households, both alike in dignity/In fair Verona where we lay our scene.” Interestingly, the individual who inserted the prologue reversed those two lines in the Free Library’s copy. It is these little personal touches and discrepancies that make the work truly rare, says Pollock. The Rare Book Department’s four Shakespeare folios were the gift of P.A.B. Widener and his sister, Mrs. Josephine Widener Wichfield, in memory of their father, Joseph E. Widener. The gift was arranged by Philadelphia bookseller A.S.W. Rosenbach—founder of what is now The Rosenbach of the Free Library—who in his career bought and sold six First Folios. The First Folio will be joined with other Shakespeare imprints, including the Second, Third, and Fourth Folios, in the Rare Book Department as part of the Shakespeare For All Time exhibition, which includes items from The Rosenbach of the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation. (To read more about the Rosenbach, turn to page 8.) The exhibition runs from January 27—May 31 and is free and open to the public Monday— Saturday from 9:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m.
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• • • BY ALIX GERZ
FOCUS ON
“There was a star danced, and under that was I born.” On April 23, 1564, William Shakespeare entered the world in bustling Stratford-upon-Avon, a small market town in merry old England. No one could have known then that the creativity, humor, and pathos that this playwright and performer unleashed in his 37 plays and 154 sonnets would so profoundly affect theatre, literature, and the English language for centuries to come. But profoundly affect us he has—think last summer’s muchpraised film adaption of Much Ado About Nothing by Joss Whedon, a stuck-in-your-head musical ditty from West Side Story, or the last time you muttered “what fools these mortals be.” And so to pay tribute to the Bard and his upcoming landmark birthday, the Free Library is offering up the Year of the Bard: Shakespeare at 450—a year packed full of engaging, enlightening, and entertaining programs and events designed to celebrate Shakespeare in all his classic and modern incarnations. The Free Library will offer a sneak peek of the fun to come when it hosts The Ball for the Bard on December 7, a celebratory evening honoring Shakespeare and raising funds to support the Library. And the public festivities officially get underway early in the year with a special Shakespeare
Trivia Night and opening of the Rare Book Department’s Shakespeare For All Time exhibition, featuring some of the Free Library’s most unique Shakespeare holdings, including the ever-so-sought-after First Folio. (See facing page.) Throughout the year, the Free Library—in partnership with The Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre and other cultural organizations throughout the city—will offer Shakespeare buffs and newcomers alike a plethora of fun, festive ways to get in on the celebration. There will be lectures (Gender in Shakespeare, anyone?), an insult contest (“I do desire we may be better strangers.”), digital and live exhibitions, pop-up and theatrical performances (Hip Hop Shakespeare!), and of course a big birthday bash on April 23. • • • BY ALIX GERZ
Stay tuned to freelibrary.org for up-to-the-minute details! {7}
ONE FOR T
T he G roundbreaking R osenbach of the F
For literature lovers, history buffs, and curiosity seekers of all stripes, Philadelphia’s cultural scene just got a whole lot more exciting. This October, the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation and The Rosenbach Museum & Library officially merged, creating The Rosenbach of the Free Library Foundation. In doing so, these two estimable institutions have produced one of the singular greatest collections of rare books, manuscripts, and Americana anywhere in the world—from ancient cuneiform tablets to incunabula to manuscripts, first editions, and
the personal ephemera of seminal writers like Beatrix Potter, Bram Stoker, Charles Dickens, Edgar Allan Poe, Emily Dickinson, Horace, James Joyce, Joseph Conrad, Lewis Carroll, and Marianne Moore … just to name a few. The merger is made possible by a $3 million Transition Fund— of which $2.7 million is committed or pending pledges—in
Comparing the CollectionS ROSENBACH
Account of Ferdinand Magellan’s circumnavigation of the globe This account of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan’s circumnavigation of the globe was written by one of the 18 survivors of the ambitious voyage (out of 270 who set sail). Antonio Pigafetta was from a noble family of Vicenza and he kept a daily journal about the expedition, from which he prepared a narrative. The earliest printed version was this French edition, which was translated and abridged from an Italian manuscript and may have been published without Pigafetta’s involvement or consent. Antonio Pigafetta, Le voyage et navigation faict par les Espaignolz es Isles de Mollucques... Paris: Simon de Colines, [1525?]. A 525v
FREE LIBRARY
Christopher Columbus’s first letter about the New World Christopher Columbus’s letter detailing his discovery of the New World is the first known document to announce the outcome of his voyage. Columbus wrote the letter during his journey home aboard the Niña, and it was printed in Spanish upon his return. One month later, the letter was translated to Latin, and copies of the Latin edition flourished across Europe in 1493. In 1497, the letter was translated to German. The Rare Book Department has copies of both the Latin and German editions of this invaluable letter. The German edition—with a unique woodcut showing Christ addressing King Ferdinand and his followers—is pictured here. Christopher Columbus. Eyn Schön Hübsch Lessen Von Etlichen InSSlen. Strassburg: B. Kistler, 1497. Gift of William M. Elkins.
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THE BOOKS
F ree L ibrary of P hiladelphia F oundation • • • BY Michelle Saraceni Sheffer
order to enable the institutions to focus on combining operations and to build sustainable programs. The Transition Fund combines the generous support of many philanthropic partners, including a new gift of $1 million from the Wyncote Foundation, on the recommendation of Frederick R. Haas. Other supporters include The Pew Charitable Trusts, The Independence Foundation, and several individuals. “In many ways, the merger feels like a family reunion,” says Siobhan A. Reardon, President and Director of the Free Library.
“The Free Library and The Rosenbach have a shared history that dates back nearly a century, and very similar missions and goals today. By creating The Rosenbach of the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation, we have mutually strengthened our collections and united our parallel efforts to engage and inspire new audiences in fresh and exciting ways.” The Free Library of Philadelphia and The Rosenbach Museum & Library are linked historically by the vision and generosity of Dr. A.S.W. Rosenbach, who was a preeminent dealer in rare story continues on page 11
Comparing the CollectionS
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ROSENBACH
Autograph manuscript of The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club by Charles Dickens The Pickwick Papers was Charles Dickens’s first novel, a comedy about the absurd adventures of Mr. Samuel Pickwick and his friends. Like most of Dickens’s other major works, it was originally produced as a serial and published in monthly installments between March 1836 and October 1837. The Rosenbach’s leaves, which include parts of what became chapters 36 and 39, represent the major surviving portion of the original manuscript. Dr. Rosenbach called this “the finest modern manuscript.” Charles Dickens, The Pickwick papers: autograph manuscript portion.
FREE LIBRARY
Mary Hogarth’s personal inscribed copy of The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club A gift of William M. Elkins to the Free Library, The Pickwick Papers shown here is inscribed by Charles Dickens “affectionately” to his sister-in-law, Mary Hogarth, and includes probably the first copies of each serialized story off the press, for they were the author’s own. Mary’s sudden death after the 14th edition had been published interrupted Dickens’s writing for several weeks, though he eventually was able to push Pickwick through to a conclusion. Its popularity was instantaneous, and Dickens became famous overnight. Dickens, Charles, Robert Seymour, Robert William Buss, and Hablot Knight Browne. 1836. The posthumous papers of The Pickwick Club: containing a faithful record of the perambulations, perils, travels, adventures and sporting transactions of the corresponding members. London: Chapman & Hall, 186, Strand, MDCCCXXXVI-MDCCCXXXVII [April 1836- October 1837] (London: Bradbury and Evans, printers, Whitefriars, 1836-1837).
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Comparing the CollectionS
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ROSENBACH
Bram Stoker’s notes for Dracula Bram Stoker’s classic novel, Dracula, was first published in London in 1897 and has never gone out of print. The Rosenbach preserves 124 pages of Stoker’s working notes for the novel, including manuscript and typescript notes, photographs, and a newspaper clipping. The notes include both background research and records of Stoker’s process of creating the book such as outlines and character lists. Bram Stoker, Dracula: autograph notes. [ca.1890-ca. 1896]. EL3 .874d MS
FREE LIBRARY
Edgar Allan Poe’s manuscript of “The Murders in the Rue Morgue” The Free Library’s remarkable Edgar Allan Poe collection is rich in autograph manuscripts and letters and includes copies of all the first editions of Poe’s works, including his manuscript of “The Murders in the Rue Morgue,” pictured here. Its original owner, Mr. J. M. Johnston—an apprentice in the office of Philadelphia printers Barrett and Thrasher—picked the manuscript out of the wastebasket and saved it. Twice in the 1850s it was nearly destroyed by fire, and it was once consigned to a rubbish heap, though fortunately retrieved by Mr. Johnston’s neighbor. It eventually came into the hands of Colonel Richard A. Gimbel, who later bequeathed it to the Free Library. Poe, Edgar Allan. Autograph manuscript signed, of “The Murders in the Rue Morgue,” 17 pages, undated.
Comparing the CollectionS ROSENBACH
What will become of me! sketch by John Tenniel for Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland The Rosenbach’s remarkable Lewis Carroll collection is one of the most important collections of its kind in the world. The collection contains more than 600 of his personal letters, his early drawings, his rarest photographs, and his personal copy of the very rare first edition of Alice in Wonderland. This first edition is enlivened by 42 iconic illustrations by acclaimed artist John Tenniel, who achieved fame through his collaboration with Carroll and was knighted by Queen Victoria in 1893. The image here is one of Tenniel’s preliminary sketches for the children’s literature classic, depicting a distraught Alice—“What will become of me!” John Tenniel, What will become of me! Preliminary drawing for Alice’s adventures in Wonderland. [1864 or 65]. 1954.0053
FREE LIBRARY
Little Pig Robinson illustration by Beatrix Potter The Free Library of Philadelphia is home to the largest collection of Beatrix Potter material outside of the United Kingdom. The collection includes the autograph manuscript, with the original watercolors, of The Tailor of Gloucester; the autograph manuscript and drawings for Little Pig Robinson; first editions, presentation copies, adaptations, ephemera, and more than 100 watercolors and drawings from Potter’s own portfolio; and more than 60 autograph letters. In the illustration shown here, gifted to the Library by Margery McKay Cridland, Pig Robinson stares wistfully into a shop window. Beatrix Potter, “Pig Robinson stares wistfully into a shop window.” Gift of Margery McKay Cridland.
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Comparing the CollectionS
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ROSENBACH
Original manuscript resolution of the Continental Congress Pictured here is a manuscript copy of a resolution of the Continental Congress from July 19, 1776, enclosed with a letter of the same date to the provincial convention of New Jersey. The resolution states the Congress’s intent to publish letters to the colonies demonstrating that there is no hope for reconciliation with Great Britain, and that “the valour of their country is to save its liberties.” United States Continental Congress, resolution and letter. Philadelphia, 19 July 1776. AMs 447/29
FREE LIBRARY
“The Bloody Massacre” engraving by Paul Revere This engraving commemorating the Boston Massacre was created by Paul Revere in 1770 and is known as “The Bloody Massacre.” It captures the historic event “perpetrated in King Street Boston March 5th 1770 by a Party of the 29th Regt.” in which British soldiers killed five civilian men and injured six others. This remarkable work hangs in the Rare Book Department’s Elkins Room of the Free Library of Philadelphia. Revere, Paul. 1770. The bloody massacre perpetrated in King Street Boston on March 5th 1770 by a party of the 29th Regt. Boston: Engrav’d Printed & Sold by Paul Revere.
books, manuscripts, and art. He gifted the Library with one of its first special collections in 1947—of early American children’s books—which laid the groundwork for its Rare Book Department to grow to now encompass nearly 100,000 rare items from a span of over 4,000 years. He also served on the Library’s Board of Trustees for nearly 30 years, from 1923 until his death in 1952. In turn, The Rosenbach Museum & Library was founded in 1954 through a testamentary gift by Dr. Rosenbach and his brother, Philip. Their personal collections now form the core of The Rosenbach’s remarkable assemblage of 30,000 rare books, 300,000 pages of manuscript, 20,000 works of art on paper, and a number of other objects. “The ‘separated at birth’ nature of these collections has certainly been at the forefront of discussions surrounding our merger,” says Janine Pollock, Head of the Free Library’s Rare Book Department. “To know the Free Library’s rare book collection intimately is to know something of the extraordinary mind and generous spirit of Dr. Rosenbach.” With the Rare Book Department at the Free Library and the Rosenbach’s shared, historic ties, it is no surprise that many items in the Rosenbach of the Free Library Foundation’s combined collections richly augment one another. For example, the Free Library’s Shakespeare Folios—including the rare First Folio (which you read about on page 6)—now joins the Rosenbach’s collection of later Folios and hundreds of early imprints, collected volumes, and more to create one of the world’s most compelling holdings of Shakespeare’s work. Several additional examples of
complementary items from Americana, children’s literature, and more are illustrated throughout this piece. “I walk through the collection several times each day, and I never cease to be amazed what’s in it,” says Derick Dreher, the John C. Haas Director of the Rosenbach. “There’s a wonderful principle of serendipity in effect: When you go looking for something you know, you inevitably find many things you don’t. That’s what makes me happy to come to work every morning.” The combined collections of the Rosenbach and the Free Library’s Rare Book Department also provide fertile ground for a whole host of new programming to blossom. From collaborative events for the Free Library’s Year of the Bard: Shakespeare at 450 celebration in 2014 (read more on page 7) to exciting opportunities for unique, in-depth exhibitions, “the true potential of this merger will be to bring our collections alive for people of all ages,” says Pollock. “I’m looking forward to making these remarkable objects that we care for exciting and meaningful to a much larger audience.” Dreher agrees. “Merely preserving a collection isn’t enough, no matter how good it is. You need to find compelling ways to share the collection with the public: Let them interact with it; let them discover the relevance of historic objects to issues they care about today; let them be inspired by it,” he says. “People give meaning to our collection by using it, and derive meaning in return—and that’s what makes me leave with a smile every evening.”
Uniting these two extraordinary collections of immense literary and historic importance will not only enliven them for thousands of new visitors—it will also enrich the cultural fabric of Philadelphia and indeed the world at large. { 11 }
e h t m fro DS O O H OR
B H G I E N
The Library of the 21st Century: Nurturing Mind and Body Philadelphians across the city rely on the Free Library for a lot more than books. With a robust line up of programing (more than 25,000 events a year!), a cache of digital resources, and research information on anything from starting your own business to writing your résumé, the Library has you covered. But it doesn’t stop there. Resources at the Library are continuously growing and evolving with our customers’ 21st-century needs.
“The Free Library sees itself as a library of the 21st century,” President and Director Siobhan A. Reardon says. “We’re here to provide whatever resources our community needs, and reliable health care education is at the top of the list. Through trained and knowledgeable staff, strategic partnerships, health-focused programming, and online resources, the Library will be a major keystone in providing health information to the public.” One such initiative is staff trainings on the ACA. With so many changes on the health care horizon, coupled with the dearth in internet access for many Philadelphia neighborhoods, customers will be looking to the Library not only for information, but access to important insurance and medical websites. Free Library staff members will be well prepared, with training from the Department of Health and Human Services. Neighborhood library staff will hold scheduled sessions at specific locations to aid customers in everything from preparing insurance applications to enrolling in coverage. “We are a trusted and unbiased public resource teeming with information experts,” explains librarian Kim Bravo, a member of the Healthcare Advisory Council. “We see it as our responsibility to honor that trust and help our patrons navigate this process […] We want them to have peace of mind knowing that their information is secure […] and that any questions they may have throughout the process will be clearly and competently answered.”
In 2012, The Pew Charitable Trusts Philadelphia Research Initiative published “The Library in the City: Changing Demands and Challenging Future”—an in-depth report on the ways in which 21st-century customers use libraries. The Pew study indicated that a sizeable 34% of all Free Library users came in search of health care information. And with the onset of questions sure to come with the implementation of the first part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in January 2014, reliable health care resources will only become more important to Philadelphians. With this in mind, the Library is bolstering its access to health care information in our 54 neighborhood libraries through a number of pioneering initiatives, and in September 2012 formed the Healthcare Advisory Council—made up of Free Library staff, board members, and leaders of area health care institutions. The Council advises the creation of health care programming and helps the Library better understand its role as a provider of health care information.
In addition to training neighborhood library staff on the intricacies of the ACA, the Free Library plans to partner with other organizations to ensure a wide range of health issues are covered into the future. Plus, additional direct programming and supplemental information for staff is also in the works: Neighborhood libraries will host professionals from area hospitals for programs on medical conditions, prescription drugs, procedures, and more; staff will have access to online health care resources and information; and the Healthcare Advisory Council will continue conversations with local policy-makers, doctors, and health care professionals.
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Celebrating 100 Years of Community at
Falls of Schuylkill Library
Happy 100-year anniversary to Falls of Schuylkill Library! The East Falls neighborhood library celebrates a century of service on November 18, 2013, with a day full of festivities and commemoration. Falls of Schuylkill, located at 3501 Midvale Avenue, was completed in 1913 and funded by Andrew Carnegie with land donated by William H. Merrick and the Warden Estate. Today, the building still sits at its original site, complete with both beautiful reading and shade gardens. In celebration of the anniversary, the Friends of the Falls of Schuylkill Library have a day of events and activities planned for the East Falls community: a presentation on the history of the building, a music program with highlights of popular 1913 selections, special displays including a list of bestsellers from 1913, and much more. Here’s to another 100 years of community commitment at Falls of Schuylkill!
• • • BY EILEEN OWENS
The Falls of Schuylkill Library being built in 1912
With the robust line-up of health care resources at the Free Library, our 21st-century customers can care for their bodies as well as their minds. • • • BY EILEEN OWENS The FREE Library and its reading garden TODAY PHOTO CREDIT: George Matysik
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A World Series champion known for his trademark pitches—slow, slower, and slowest—Jamie Moyer ended his epic career just a few wins shy of 300 victories. Having pitched for eight teams, he is one of the most popular players in professional baseball and one of only 29 players in the sport’s history to have played Major League games for four decades. Moyer was named to the 2003 All-Star Team and has served as an on-air analyst for ESPN and the Major League Baseball Network. At a crucial juncture in his mid-20s, he encountered worldrenowned sports psychologist Harvey Dorfman, whose teachings primed Moyer for a reinvention that would shape his remarkable career. Written with author/editor Larry Platt, Moyer’s new memoir, Just Tell Me I Can’t: How Jamie Moyer Defied the Radar Gun and Defeated Time, unfolds that fateful experience and his 25 extraordinary years in the big leagues. To listen to the free, downloadable podcast featuring Jamie Moyer and AUTHOR/EDITOr Larry Platt, visit freelibrary.org/authorevents.
OTS What role have libraries played in your life? JM When I was growing up in Souderton, Pa., I spent a lot of time
in our local library. Not as much as on the ballfield—but close. Just like the baseball field was the place for me to focus on my game, the library was where I was able to concentrate on my studies. OTS What role do you think libraries play in our
21st-century world? JM The role of the public library may have changed of late, due to
the vast usage of the internet. But I still think it plays an important role: My wife Karen and I have eight kids, and we’ve seen firsthand how important it is to have a place they can go where we know they’re going to study, read, and learn. OTS Your trademark slow pitches were crucial
in helping the Phillies win the 2008 World Series. Can you tell us a little bit about how and why you developed such a unique—and successful!— pitching style? JM Early in my career, I learned that, to be successful, I had to embrace who I was. I wasn’t going to overpower hitters. I had to outthink them. So I started to play off hitters’ psyches and use their aggression—their ego—against them. I learned to pay attention to detail and that pitching really takes place from the neck up. So how I thought about the game, and what I said to myself on the mound, could make all the difference. OTS Your memoir, Just Tell Me I Can’t, reflects on
your 25 extraordinary years in the big leagues. What has inspired you to keep playing baseball long after many other players choose to retire? JM I’ve played the game for so long because of my passion for it. Baseball has been my oldest companion, and it’s been a lifelong love affair. As they got older, many of my teammates lost their youthful passion for the game. I never did. I’m 50 years old and itching to get back out there and compete right now. OTS To you, the Free Library of Philadelphia is
also the Free Library of _____. Why? JM It’s the Free Library of Discovery. Just imagine all the ideas that
reside in all those books! As we tell our kids, you can only cease to be curious and interested once you know all there is to know.
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FREE LIBRARY OF PHILADELPHIA BOARD OF TRUSTEES Chair
Robert C. Heim Members
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 H.W. Jerome Maddox 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
T he I R A C haritable R ollover is B ack Take advantage of this OFFER before IT EXPIRES ON December 31, 2013! An INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT (IRA) charitable rollover is a great opportunity to support the FREE LIBRARY while reducing your taxable income. The Qualified Charitable Distribution from an IRA allows donors to make a gift to the Free Library Foundation directly from their IRA and not include the amount gifted in their taxable income. To learn more about IRA charitable rollovers and the variety of tax savings you might be entitled to, please contact Amanda Goldstein, Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving, at 215-567-77 10 or goldsteina@freelibrary.org .
Ex-Officio
Michael DiBerardinis
Not intended as legal, tax, or investment advice
Deputy Mayor for the Environment and Community Resources
Laura McColgan Friends of the Free Library
FREE LIBRARY OF PHILADELPHIA FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair
Tobey Gordon Dichter Members
Robert Adelson 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 Melissa Grimm Robert C. Heim John Imbesi Philip Jaurigue Geoffrey Kent Alexander Kerr Leslie Miller Thomas B. Morris, Jr. Stephanie W. Naidoff Patrick M. Oates Derek N. Pew William R. Sasso Susan G. Smith Miriam Spector Stacey Leigh Spector Barbara Sutherland Monica Vachher Jay Weinstein Larry Weiss
THROUGH January 12, 2014 In the Beginning is an exhibition of firsts: the first Hebrew printed books in the world, the first books by and about Jewish Americans, and the artifacts of the Gratzes, the “First Family” of Jewish Philadelphia. Experience five centuries of rare objects celebrating the rich and storied heritage of the Jewish people, highlighting their impact on cultural and social change from early European printed books through the federal era in the United States.
EMERITUS
Marie Field Elizabeth H. Gemmill A. Morris Williams, Jr.
For tickets and details, visit Rosenbach.org or call 215-732-1600.
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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.
introducing
LEADING VOICES: Conversations from the C-Suite A new lecture program featuring the brightest minds in business, brought to you by the Free Library’s award-wining Author Events Series
Join us for our inaugural event with Erik Prince, founder and former President and CEO of Blackwater USA, on Tuesday, November 26 at 8:00 a.m. The event features breakfast at 7:30 a.m. and includes a copy of Prince’s book Civilian Warriors: The Inside Story of Blackwater and the Unsung Heroes of the War on Terror.
Visit freelibrary.org/authorevents for tickets and other Leading Voices authors.