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VOLUME 4 • ISSUE 1
OFF the SHELF A MAGAZINE FROM the Free Library of Philadelphia
Building Inspiration: 21st Century Libraries A Landmark Initiative for THE Future of the Free Library
Also Inside: Opening Doors through Early Literacy Building Literacy One Bite at a Time Hitchhiking with John Waters
S e cur e th e F r e e L i b rar y ’ s T O M O R R O W E S T A B L I S H A C H A R I T A B L E G I F T A N N U I T Y T O D AY The Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation is pleased to offer our supporters a unique way to
make a difference to the future of the Library—by establishing a Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA). A CGA enables you to receive a guaranteed income for life in return for an outright gift today. Rates for CGAs are based on your age, and CGAs can be established for as little as $10,000, using cash or highly appreciated stock. Current rates are below as of October 1, 2014. For more about CGAs—as well as estate gifts—please contact Amanda Goldstein, Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving, at 215-567-7710 or goldsteina@freelibrary.org
SAMPLE RATES FOR A $10,000 SINGLE LIFE ANNUITY Annuitant Age
65
70
75
80
85
90
Annuitant Rate
4.7%
5.1%
5.8%
6.8%
7.8%
9%
Charitable Deduction $3,363
$4,001
$4,502
$4,965
$5,621
$6,269
Annual Payment
$510
$580
$680
$780
$900
$470
Rates current as of October 1, 2014 Not intended as legal, tax, or investment advice
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING AUTHOR EVENTS FOR MORE Info: 215-567-4341 • freelibrary.org/authorevents
NOV 8 • 1:00 PM
NOV 13 • 7:30 PM
NOV 17 • 7:30 PM
NOV 18 • 7:30 PM
NOV 20 • 7:30 PM
FREE
TICKET REQUIRED
TICKET REQUIRED
TICKET REQUIRED
TICKET REQUIRED
IUM R Anjelica ITOHuston UT D O Watch AU O LDMe S
IUM R Alan Cumming ITO OUT D Son U My Father’s ANot LD O S
Chris Van Allsburg The Misadventures of Sweetie Pie
Jack Miles
Richard Ford
Norton Anthology of World Religions
Let Me Be Frank With You
CAROLE PHILLIPS MEMORIAL LECTURE
DEC 2 • 7:30 PM
DEC 4 • 7:30 PM
DEC 9 • 7:30 PM
DEC 11 • 7:30 PM
FREE
TICKET REQUIRED
FREE
FREE
James Carroll
Zachary Lesser
Christ Actually: The Son of God for a Secular Age
Hamlet after Q1: An Uncanny History of the Shakespearean Text
Richard McGuire
Here
with
Charles Burns
Sugar Skull
and
Chip Kidd
Judge This
Jill Lepore The Secret History of Wonder Woman
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
Samantha Maldonado 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.
Welcome to an especially exciting edition of Off the Shelf! The Free Library of Philadelphia currently sits on the cusp of transformational change. Guided by our strategic plan and driven by our mission to advance literacy, guide learning, and inspire curiosity, we are working hard to ensure our programs, services, and resources best meet the needs of our 21st-century customers. At the forefront of this change is the Building Inspiration: 21st Century Libraries Initiative, a groundbreaking project to renovate and expand the Parkway Central Library, restore and modernize neighborhood libraries across the city, and strengthen community partnerships to best meet the diverse needs of all Philadelphians—which you will read all about in our feature story. Building Inspiration is made possible by several transformative gifts in a unique partnership between the public and private sectors, underscored by a historic $25 million gift from the William Penn Foundation—the largest private gift ever received by the Library—as well as generous gifts from the City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia City Council, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. We’re grateful and eager to be taking this pioneering step forward in improving our beloved library system for generations to come. In these pages, you’ll also read about the Library’s efforts to ensure its youngest customers—children five years old and under—are ready to read and succeed through innovative early literacy programs that are firmly rooted in best practices. You’ll also get to take a peek at some magical hidden gems from our Children’s Literature Research Collection, catch up on the latest news from around the system, and find out just why iconic filmmaker, actor, and writer John Waters loves the library. It’s an extraordinary fall at the Free Library of Philadelphia. Stop by and see us often!
ON THE COVER: Through Building Inspiration, the Free Library will transform libraries and lives across Philadelphia, establishing a flexible and innovative new model of service.
Warmly,
Siobhan A. Reardon PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR
WHAT’S INSIDE 8
Building Inspiration: 21st Century Libraries Initiative
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News and Notes HIDDEN GEMS: The Magical World of Lloyd Alexander focus on: CULINARY DELIGHTS From the Neighborhoods: Opening Doors with Early Literacy The Final Word: John Waters BOARD LISTS
2015
AnnouncING THE
FEATURED SELECTION
celebrating
25 Years of the Literacy Enrichment
Afterschool Program The Free Library of Philadelphia’s acclaimed Literacy Enrichment Afterschool Program (LEAP) is celebrating 25 years of success! A free, drop-in program for students in Kindergarten through 12th grade, LEAP provides a safe and supportive place where children and teens can gather after school for homework help and special activities that foster traditional literacy as well as 21st-century skills in science, technology, and cultural arts. LEAP provides employment opportunities for teens to serve as Teen Leadership Assistants, and has helped hundreds of thousands of students accomplish great things in and out of the classroom over the past 25 years. We’re excited to see what the next 25 years have in store for LEAP at the Free Library! To read more about the Literacy Enrichment Afterschool Program, check out the Fall 2012 edition of Off the Shelf at freelibrary.org/publications.
The Free Library of Philadelphia is pleased to announce that the 2015 One Book, One Philadelphia featured selection is Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline. Orphan Train is the compelling story of Vivian, a 91-year-old widow once orphaned as a child, and Molly, a troubled teen who has been shuffled from one unstable foster home to another. The two women develop a bond, with Vivian treasuring her Irish immigrant roots and Molly finding comfort in her ancestral Native American tradition. The novel sheds light on an era when thousands of orphaned children were taken from crowded cities to face uncertain futures in the rural Midwest and connects with the importance of heritage and memories in shaping who we are, the value of intergenerational relationships, and the fundamental power of family. The Library Journal calls it, “A compelling story about loss, adaptability, and courage… With compassion and delicacy Kline presents a little-known chapter of American history.
photo credit: betsy manning
Featuring panel discussions, film screenings, craft workshops, and more for all ages, One Book, One Philadelphia will run from January 22 to March 19, 2015. Mark your calendars for the kickoff on Wednesday, January 22 featuring author Christina Baker Kline!
Through the generosity of private GIFTS, the Free Library Foundation supports many of the Library’s incredible programs that enhance literacy, guide learning, and inspire curiosity throughout our region. Make your gift today at freelibrary.org/support!
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It was an exciting few months around the library system this summer, especially for our youngest customers.
(1) At Joseph E. Coleman Northwest Regional Library, a mom and her baby participate in a pop-up program that helps young children create their own imaginative play spaces and enjoy related storybooks. (2) Cuban music group Conjunto Philadelphia performs for families at Kensington Library. (3) One of our youngest customers plays an educational game on the computer at Wynnefield Library. (4) The Franklin Institute visits Charles L. Durham Library for the Neighborhood Science Festival.
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CUSTOMER CORNER MARIA BATTLE As a child, Maria Battle loved Friday afternoons. It wasn’t because it was the end of the school week or the beginning of a long weekend; it was because of story hour at the Free Library’s Paschalville location. “It was the place to be on a Friday after school,” Maria remembers. She and her friends would spread the word among the other neighborhood kids to encourage them to come to the library. “I was fascinated by the children’s librarian and her storytelling,” she says. “It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my childhood.” Years later when Maria graduated from high school, she came back to the library, but not for story hour. This time it was for her first full-time job, working on the Library’s bookmobile. Her supervisor? The children’s librarian from
Paschalville! Maria loved coming back to the library that she loved as a child, and also being able to work with her favorite story teller. Today, Maria is the President of the AmeriHealth Caritas Partnership, where she oversees the Partnership’s programs, administration, and fundraising. She uses the Regional Foundation Center in Parkway Central as a resource for her employees, where they research and find opportunities for non-profits. Because of her childhood experience and now her role in business, Maria understands first-hand how the library has evolved. “In my day, it was a community meeting place. Now it’s a valuable tool for many populations. It’s a place to get support in so many ways.”
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HIDDEN GEMS
The Magical World of Lloyd Alexander On the ground floor of the Parkway Central Library lives a very important (and very charming) “Hidden Gem”: the Children’s Literature Research Collection. This special archive details the ways in which some of the greatest children’s authors brought beloved classics to life.
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“Having the revered Lloyd Alexander’s papers at the Free Library is truly an honor,” said Siobhan A. Reardon, President and Director of the Free Library. “These papers are not only hugely important to researchers and scholars who study the history of children’s literature, they’re also a gem for the general public in that they highlight in a very real way the love and attention to detail that went into bringing the mystical world of Prydain to life for generations of children.”
Among those authors is the much celebrated Lloyd Alexander—winner of the Newbery Award and not one but two National Book Awards for Children’s Literature—a Philadelphia native who donated his literary archive and future royalties to the Free Library in 1995. Perhaps most famously, Alexander (1924-2007) is the author of the Chronicles of Prydain, a six-book series loosely inspired by the mythology the author became interested in during his World War II training in Wales. This fall marks the 50th anniversary of The Book of Three—the inaugural volume in the renowned series—and the publisher is celebrating with a special new edition and much fanfare. For its part, the Free Library is commemorating the occasion with special programming, including an exhibition in the Rare Book Department at Parkway Central Library. The Library also hosted a discussion and film screening with bestselling fantasy writer Tamora Pierce and Alexander’s goddaughter Sharyn November, senior editor at Viking Children’s Books and Editorial Director at Firebird Books.
The Lloyd Alexander papers held at the Free Library include a treasure trove of pieces related to The Chronicles of Prydain, such as research notes, planning documents, outlines, early drafts, printers’ proofs, and even a hand-drawn map of Prydain and a family tree of the nobility in the story. From start to finish, every detail that went into making the fantasy of Prydain a reality on paper can be found in the Library’s collection.
TOP: The special 50th anniversary edition cover for The Book of Three, published by Henry Holt and Co. BOTTOM: This map of Pyrdain was hand-drawn by Alexander in colored pencil, graphite, and markers, and resides in the Children’s Literature Research Collection.
To see these rare items in person, visitors can stop by the Rare Book Department, where his drawings will be on view through April. Scholars can also schedule a visit with the staff of the Central Children’s Department. But to become truly immersed in the world of Prydain and Lloyd Alexander, one need only head to their neighborhood Free Library location, pick up a copy of The Book of Three, and get lost in the magic. • • • BY ALIX GERZ
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FOCUS ON
Culinary Delights
Students of all ages enjoy a variety of hands-on programming—with delicious results—in the new Culinary Literacy Center at the Parkway Central Library. PHOTO CREDIT: RYAN BRANDENBERG
EVERY BITE OF FOOD WE EAT HAS A STORY. That’s been a bit of a mantra at the Free Library since the launch of the new Culinary Literacy Center this past June. And with the opening of this professional kitchen on the fourth floor of the Parkway Central Library, a new series of foodbased programming has kicked into high gear, made possible by generous support from the Cancer Treatment Centers of America. The idea behind the Culinary Literacy Center is a simple one: By teaching people to cook, those individuals not only learn new skills in the kitchen, but they also enhance their basic literacy skills when they read recipes, practice math with measurements, and delve into science when the raw ingredients they begin with turn into something else entirely by the end. “Librarians are very aware of the fact that individuals come to literacy through different means, and we intend to explore that to the fullest extent possible,” said Siobhan A. Reardon, President and Director. “Having a professional-level kitchen that offers not only cooking lessons but also classes to enhance customers’ reading and literacy skills is a real breakthrough in the public library sector, and I’m so proud to see this fantastic idea truly come to life.” Since the Culinary Literacy Center opened, Philadelphians have been offered a bevy of courses that expand even beyond basic literacy-based programming. The past months have featured “Grow. Sow. Make. Eat!”—a four-week workshop for kids that taught everything from growing herbs at home to cooking with them. Adults were treated to a series on community gardens and urban farms. And teens honed their kitchen skills with the “Summer Thyme Cooks” program. Lined up for later this fall are unique offerings including a course on butchering and a book signing and demonstration with Anupy Singla, author of the cookbook Indian for Everyone. With a wide range of programs and initiatives for Philadelphians of all ages and backgrounds, there’s something to suit everyone’s palate at the Culinary Literacy Center.
To find out what’s cooking next at the Culinary Literacy Center, visit freelibrary.org/cook! • • • BY ALIX GERZ
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• • • BY Michelle Saraceni Sheffer and Eileen Owens
Building Inspiration: 21st Century Libraries A Landmark Initiative for the Future of the Free Library
The Free Library of Philadelphia stands on the exciting precipice of transformation.
Fueled by the rapidly changing needs of the 21st-century customer and community, the Free Library system is embarking on an innovative initiative to remake its libraries both physically and programmatically, creating a new model for library service across the globe: introducing Building Inspiration: 21st Century Libraries.
Through Building Inspiration, the historic Beaux-Arts Parkway Central Library will continue to be restored and modernized into a 21st-century civic, cultural, and innovation hub for the Greater Philadelphia region. The Free Library’s neighborhood libraries will also be enhanced into pioneering community hubs of their own, ensuring that strong, neighborhood-specific programming and resources are offered in a functional, accessible, and flexible modern space. In addition, the Library will create an Innovation Fund dedicated to sustaining future programming. Guided by the Free Library’s strategic plan, Building Inspiration reflects the Library’s commitment to being a highly flexible, outwardly facing, community-focused organization and will serve as a model for the future of library services across the country and around the world. “The Building Inspiration: 21st Century Libraries Initiative is truly an innovative way of understanding the library and its role in
the community and in our rapidly changing world,” said Siobhan A. Reardon, President and Director of the Free Library.
“By investing in our libraries and remaking them into responsive places to gather, learn, and grow, we will create a 21st-century institution that fosters intellectual growth and enlightenment for generations to come.” Building Inspiration is made possible by several generous gifts in a unique partnership between the public and private
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Logan Library will transform into a vibrant, light-filled space and offer special programming tailored towards fostering family literacy.
sectors, underscored by a historic $25 million gift from the William Penn Foundation—the largest private gift ever received by the Free Library. Additional major funding partners of this $60 million initiative include the City of Philadelphia and Philadelphia City Council, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Ruth and A. Morris Williams, Jr., and many additional private gifts from foundations and individuals. Over the past several years, work to restore the Parkway Central Library has been ongoing and has included major renovations, including: the installation of a professional-grade demonstration kitchen to support our Culinary Literacy Program, the completion of the stacks relocation project that freed up space for new additions and public areas, the renovation of the Skyline Room and Terrace, the complete restoration of Philbrick Hall and the Music Department, and the addition of a green roof. This ongoing work has now become a part of the Free Library’s larger vision for Building Inspiration: 21st Century Libraries.
By restoring Parkway Central in tandem with the neighborhood libraries, the Free Library is ensuring that communities across Philadelphia will be able to access a modern and responsive library system. During the upcoming phase of Building Inspiration, the Free Library will construct two unique new public spaces
The new Logan Library Children’s Department will feature an open design and flexible furniture to ensure that children can learn and grow in a dynamic and responsive space.
at Parkway Central Library—The Common and The Business Research and Innovation Center. This will all take place in the several floors of space formerly occupied by closed, outdated book storage stacks, the contents of which remain accessible to the public through the Library’s Regional Research and Operations Center. Designed by internationally acclaimed architect Moshe Safdie, The Common will serve as a flexible community space where individuals can gather to create, collaborate, and share. The Business Research and Innovation Center will offer incubator space for new projects and ideas and help individuals gain assistance with turning their entrepreneurial dreams into reality. Also during the next phase of Building Inspiration, work will begin on five neighborhood libraries, representing a broad cross section of Philadelphia neighborhoods, to serve as prototype Building Inspiration: 21st Century Libraries models: Lillian Marrero Library, Logan Library, Lovett Memorial Library, South Philadelphia Library, and Tacony Library.
These libraries will work within their communities to define and target their neighborhood’s unique needs. They will establish thematic programming—including family literacy, small business resources, and health and wellness information, among others—and create community partnerships to better serve the immediate customer base at each library. Additionally, through Building Inspiration,
In partnership with Mt. Airy USA, the Lovett Memorial Library will feature a welcoming new park and transform into a community center for people of all ages.
the library buildings will undergo physical renovations and become fully accessible to all. Joe Benford, Chief of Neighborhood Library Services Division, is excited about the transforming landscape of the Free Library.
“At the core of the Building Inspiration:
South Philadelphia Library will focus on consumer health information in a partnership with The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (see Volume 2, Issue 2 of Off the Shelf online at freelibrary.org/publications). “We are pleased to be a part of the next phase of Building Inspiration: 21st Century Libraries, which will include major renovations to our library and provide much needed handicap accessibility, opening the doors of opportunity for many of our residents,” says Belita Thornton, Head of the Logan Library.
21st Century Libraries Initiative is customer engagement. We want to better meet the needs of our customers by adapting our facilities to maximize “This upcoming renovation is flexibility and accessibility of space,” vital for ensuring that this library Benford explains. continues to be an inviting place “This will transform the neighborhood library staff’s ability for all future lifelong learners to be able to respond quickly and adeptly to dynamic change so that we can continue to be a in each community.” beacon of hope and opportunity Lillian Marrero Library will focus on early childhood literacy and services for new Americans with an emphasis on Englishin our community in the decades language reading skills, while Logan Library will focus on to come.” family literacy, as these communities have strong community support for engaged families. Lovett Memorial Library will be established as a thriving center for Mt. Airy residents of all ages by bringing in partners to help program the library spaces, including a newly restored community garden. Tacony Library, situated in the heart of a re-emerging commercial corridor, will focus on small businesses and entrepreneurs, helping to further revive the area’s business community.
Lovett Memorial Library will offer several new spaces including a comfortable “living room,” a pre-K zone, and a teen space.
A critical component of Building Inspiration: 21st Century Libraries, the Free Library will strengthen its existing partnerships and develop new relationships with organizations that can serve as voices of their communities. With this collaborative effort, neighborhoods can share resources and streamline efforts, creating more effective programming in all areas. Benford explains:
In a partnership with The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, the new South Philadelphia Library will focus on consumer health literacy and serving new Americans.
“By working collaboratively, the Library and other community organizations can avoid duplication of efforts, and achieve greater impact by concentrating on delivering essential and effective programs and services.” “The partnership we have forged with the Free Library over the past few years is truly transformative,” says Anuj Gupta, Executive Director of Mt. Airy USA, a key partner of Lovett Memorial Library. “Through our collaboration, we stand not only to transform a parcel of land into a community park that serves all of our residents, but we will also strengthen one of our most important public assets—the Lovett Memorial Library. Combined, these projects will create a model for other neighborhoods throughout the city on how the Free Library and a community development corporation can leverage one another’s expertise and resources towards the benefit of the community.” Another key partnership the Free Library will continue to foster and intensify is its work in tandem with the School District of Philadelphia to ensure that all public school students receive the academic support they need to succeed. With Free Library flagship programs such as the Literacy Enrichment Afterschool Program and Summer Reading, as well as the recent drive that put library cards in the hands of every student, this strengthened partnership with the School District alongside other community organizations will significantly amplify the
Library’s ability to connect with its neighborhoods and its customers, providing a broader range of services than any one institution could on its own. “For so many of us, visiting the library as a child is what inspired us to become lifelong learners, and especially what helped us to do well in school,” says Reardon. “From the incredible wealth of resources to the friendly librarian who seemed always to know just what we needed, the library played an invaluable role in our classroom success.
“The Free Library is committed to ensuring that we play that role for thousands of Philadelphia school students, helping to foster a new generation of thoughtful, successful, and engaged learners.” The Building Inspiration: 21st Century Libraries Initiative is an essential and innovative undertaking for the Free Library of Philadelphia. As Benford puts it, “It is the chance to make almost century-old libraries truly accessible and inviting to all community residents,” bolstering the educational and cultural life of the Greater Philadelphia region for generations to come.
For more information about Building Inspiration, visit 21stcenturylibraries.org.
photo credit: Kelly and Massa
Donald Root, Chief of Parkway Central Library; Mike DiBerardinis, Deputy Mayor for the Environment and Community Resources; Siobhan A. Reardon, Free Library President and Director; Robert C. Heim, Chair of the Free Library Board of Trustees; Janet Haas, Vice-chair of the William Penn Foundation Board of Directors; Laura Sparks, Executive Director of the William Penn Foundation; and Mayor Michael A. Nutter announce the Building Inspiration: 21st Century Libraries Initiative.
e h t m o fr OODS
R BO H NE I G
H
O PENING D O O RS WITH EARLY LITERACY
In cozy nooks and storytime circles in neighborhood libraries throughout Philadelphia, young children are discovering the joys of reading, writing, and learning under the thoughtful tutelage of the Free Library’s skillful children’s librarians.
Catastrophe,” this means that children from low-income families are at a distinct disadvantage with respect to building vocabulary and literacy skills. As such, the Free Library is in a unique and critical position to help ensure that all of Philadelphia’s young children receive the strong early literacy support they deserve. So just what encompasses early literacy? Simply put, early literacy is everything that children learn about reading and writing before they can actually read and write. The Free Library’s early literacy efforts are guided by the American Library Association (ALA)’s Every Child Ready to Read program, which focuses on five key activities—reading, writing, talking, singing, and playing—that strengthen a child’s preparedness for independent reading once he or she reaches school age.
From innovative programs for little ones to award-winning outreach initiatives for parents and caregivers—all firmly rooted in best practices—our librarians are working hard to ensure that the Library’s youngest customers become strong readers and learners by fostering early literacy skills that prepare them for a lifetime of success.
“Children are born ready to learn,” explains Christine Caputo, Interim Chief of The Office of Public Service Support at the Free Library. “When children are talked to and read to from birth, they learn more language and literacy skills than their peers who do not have these experiences.” A keystone of its mission and a pillar of its strategic plan, the Free Library of Philadelphia’s focus on advancing literacy for children under age 5 is underscored by extensive research that shows just how critical early literacy skills are to a child’s future success. Studies have shown a direct link between high rates of poverty and low rates of literacy. Dubbed the “30 million word gap” by Betty Hart and Todd Risley in their landmark study, “The Early
“When parents, caregivers, and educators do these activities with young ones, we help them develop the building blocks they need to become readers in the future,” explains Sarah Stippich, Children’s Librarian at Blanche A. Nixon/Cobbs Creek Library. “It’s fun to get kids to interact with books as much as possible in a storytime. For example, challenging them to find things in illustrations, to tell the story themselves, or to do a call-and-response with me really builds their narrative skills and pre-literacy skills—and it’s fun for everyone.” In addition to storytimes and other literacy-based, language-rich programming for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, the Free Library also spearheads a unique initiative for very young children: the Read, Baby, Read library card. In collaboration with pediatric medical professionals throughout the city, the Library provides Read, Baby, Read cards to infants and their caregivers during well-baby visits, at which time medical professionals talk to families about the importance of reading with their children. And for older children,
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Early Literacy at Home photo credit: Ryan Brandenberg
the Free Library ensures that all Kindergarteners starting school in the School District of Philadelphia receive library cards each year. Also beginning this fall, with generous support from the PNC Foundation’s Grow Up Great program, the Free Library will be partnering with the Franklin Institute, the Kimmel Center, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Philadelphia Zoo—along with Head Start and child care programs—for the “Words are Here, There, and Everywhere” initiative. This initiative will pool the resources and skills of its partner organizations to help build the vocabulary of young children living in lowincome communities within Philadelphia through the arts and sciences. “Words are Here, There, and Everywhere” will help bolster school readiness, providing adults and children alike with the tools necessary to build literacy skills at a young age.
“Children who have opportunities to play and who have adults in their lives who read, talk, and sing with them are better able to enter school and succeed,” says Caputo. “The staff of the Free Library is committed to making sure every child gets a strong foundation for a lifetime of literacy.” Through its far-reaching early literacy initiatives, the Free Library is ensuring that all Philadelphia’s little ones are ready to read, learn, and grow, opening doors to a bright future and a lifetime of success. • • • BY Michelle Saraceni Sheffer
By reading, writing, talking, singing, and playing with your child, you give him or her a solid foundation for literacy and success. Here are some tips for fostering early literacy with your little ones.
Read!
Reading aloud or shared reading is the best way to prepare a child to read independently. Read together every day. » You can borrow lots of great books from the library! » Attend storytime at your neighborhood library.
Write!
Allow and encourage your child to scribble and “pretend” to write. This jumpstarts the skills they need to become successful readers and writers. Talk to your child about their drawings and write captions below their pictures. » Work together to write lists of rhyming words or words that all start with a similar sound.
Talk!
Talk to your baby and young children; they are listening and learning about language. Talk about anything and everything, especially your actions: “Now I’m going to tie your shoes!” » Borrow wordless picture books from the library. Talk about the pictures and narrate the story depicted in the illustrations.
Sing!
When you sing or listen to music, your child learns the rhythms of language and becomes aware of the smaller sounds that make words. Sing a song while you ride the bus or take a walk. » Try singing, rather than reading, a book of children’s poetry or nursery rhymes.
Play!
Play is learning. Encourage your child in play by participating, talking, and listening to your little one. Try playing peek-a-boo with your baby. » Encourage your child’s imagination by pretending and playing make believe. » Allow plenty of time for unstructured play, too. For more effective tips and fun ideas, check out our monthly, ALA award-winning Early Literacy Calendar and a plethora of great book reviews for young readers on our blog at freelibrary.org!
To listen to the free, downloadable podcast featuring JOHN WATERS, visit freelibrary.org/authorevents.
OTS Your transgressive films are largely set in your hometown of Baltimore, Maryland. What is it about the city that inspires your creative process? JW I always tried to glorify what the city used to have an inferiority complex about and tried to hide; they don’t anymore, but they used to. I’ve always said that I made movies about people who think they’re normal but are actually insane. If you come to Baltimore, you’ll see that my films are basically documentaries: People look like Divine on the corner. You’ll see people that are very similar to the characters in my films in everyday Baltimore. If I lived in any city, though, I would have grown up making movies about whatever it was that particular city tried to hide—and embrace it.
Described by William Burroughs as “The Pope of Trash,” John Waters—the legendary filmmaker, actor, and writer—is famous for his cult films, including Pink Flamingos, Hairspray, Polyester, Cry Baby, and Serial Mom. Armed with wit, a pencil-thin mustache, and a cardboard sign that reads “I’m Not Psycho,” Waters hitchhikes from Baltimore to San Francisco, braving lonely highways and risky drivers, celebrating America’s weird, surprising, and generous citizenry in his new book Carsick.
OTS I wonder what you would have done with Philadelphia? JW Philadelphia and Baltimore are not that different except that you’re within the curtain of irony. I always think that if you live in Philadelphia and you say you never go to New York, then you’re much cooler. OTS You hitchhiked across the country for your new book, Carsick. What’s one of the more memorable encounters you had on the road? JW You’ll have to read the book! No, I’ll give one example. I guess the 20-year-old Republican official that picked me up and had no idea who I was and was on his way to Subway in his mother’s Corvette and then drove me all the way to Ohio with his parents freaking. And then he came back three days later, driving across the country for 48 hours at 80 miles an hour to catch up and give me another ride. And it was all just because he wanted an adventure. I think that was the most memorable experience of the book. We’re still friends today.
OTS What role have libraries played in your life? JW When I was a child, I would go to the library and look through Life Magazine and the Encyclopedia Britannica, and I would look up forbidden subjects that I would hear about. Nobody paid any attention to me because I was just a child looking up something. They thought it was great! If they had seen what I was looking up they might have had pause, but I’m for letting a child read anything they want in a library. If they’re old enough to know what things are and they’re interested in them, then they should read them. The library was always very important to me for maybe all of the wrong reasons—as far as parents were concerned.
OTS Any advice for a budding roadside adventurer? JW Yeah, everybody should try hitchhiking this fall. It’s green; you might meet a date. A little adventure you could do, just a short trip to the store. Try it. You need a sign (a sign always helps)—it makes it a little safer somehow, I think. I’m all for hitchhiking. I know that basically, I can never be really stuck because hitchhiking is possible. OTS To you, the Free Library of Philadelphia is also the Free Library of________________. Why? JW The Free Library of Unlimited Perverse Thought! You can find things in the library you never even knew existed.
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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 Suzanne Simons John J. Soroko Sherry A. Swirsky Nicholas D. Torres Ignatius C. Wang Shelly Yanoff
THE
Emeritus
Joseph F. Burke Gloria Twine Chisum Armand Della Porta Herman Mattleman Teresa Sarmina Ex-Officio
Michael DiBerardinis Deputy Mayor for the Environment and Community Resources
Laura McColgan Friends of the Free Library
FREE LIBRARY OF PHILADELPHIA FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
JOIN US ON DECEMBER 6, 2014, FOR THE BELOVED BORROWERS’ BALL, OUR EXCLUSIVE SOIRÉE AMONG THE BOOKSHELVES AT THE PARKWAY CENTRAL LIBRARY. DINE WITH THE LITERATI AND ENJOY SPARKLING CONVERSATION AND AN EVENING OF DELIGHTFUL SURPRISES IN CELEBRATION OF THE FABULOUS—AND FUNDAMENTAL—FREE LIBRARY OF PHILADELPHIA. F O R MO RE IN F O RMATIO N A N D TIC KETS , PL EA S E C A L L 2 1 5 -5 67-7 7 1 0 O R VIS ITF REEL IB RA RY.O RG /B A L L .
FOR $25,000
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 Janet Haas Robert C. Heim John Imbesi Michael Innocenzo Philip Jaurigue Geoffrey Kent Alexander Kerr Marcienne Mattleman Leslie Miller Thomas B. Morris, Jr. Stephanie W. Naidoff Bernard Newman Patrick M. Oates Derek N. Pew Nick Pournader William R. Sasso Susan G. Smith Miriam Spector Stacey Leigh Spector Lenore Steiner Barbara Sutherland Monica Vachher Jay Weinstein Larry Weiss
“Everything is going on brilliantly”: Oscar Wilde in Philadelphia
This exhibition highlights not only Oscar Wilde’s lectures in the city in 1882, but also his many ongoing links to this region through the collections of material related to his life and his works that are now held by local institutions and private collectors. The exhibition is also part of a partnership between the Rosenbach and Opera Philadelphia during its presentation of the opera Oscar. On view January 23, 2014 – April 26, 2015
EMERITUS
Marie Field Elizabeth H. Gemmill A. Morris Williams, Jr.
rosenbach.org | @RosenbachMuseum
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SUPPORT THE FREE LIBRARY! To make a gift to the Foundation, please visit freelibrary.org/support or call 215-567-7710.
As the Year of the Bard draws to a close, be sure to celebrate with these lively literary offerings this fall! EVENTS Shakespeare’s Missing Sex Joke with Dr. Matt Kosuzko, Presented by The Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre Wednesday, November 12, 6:00 p.m. • Parkway Central Library, Room 108
Hands-On Tour: Shaping Shakespeare Sunday, November 23, and Friday, December 12, 3:00 p.m. The Rosenbach of the Free Library of Philadelphia Tickets: General admission plus $5; Advance registration required; rosenbach.org
Finale Celebration with Zachary Lesser on Hamlet after Q1: An Uncanny History of the Shakespearean Text and a special performance by Piffaro, the Renaissance Band Thursday, December 11, 6:00 p.m. • Parkway Central Library, Montgomery Auditorium
Exhibition Born of the Bard: Works Inspired by Shakespeare OCTOBER 10 – DECEMBER 31, 2014 Parkway Central Library West Gallery
This exhibition highlights the myriad ways that both William Shakespeare the man and his works have inspired artists of all kinds, including performers, musicians, filmmakers, writers, visual artists, and more.