Is the Free Library of Philadelphia Free?

Is the Free Library of Philadelphia Free?

The Free Library of Philadelphia boast more than 100,000 books and manuscripts in its Rare Book Department. Free, daily tours lead visitors to the Rare Book Department to view materials such as a printed copy of the first edition of Tamerlane, one of the first poems published by Edgar Allan Poe.

How many libraries are free in Philadelphia?

Free Library of Philadelphia
Established 1891
Location Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Branches 55
Collection

Is the Free Library of Philadelphia still using hoopla?

Effective June 30, 2021, we will no longer be offering Kanopy and Hoopla services to our patrons. Instead, the Free Library will use the funding for those subscriptions to support our collections of physical materials in neighborhood…

Who can get a library card from the Free Library of Philadelphia?

A Free Library card is available at no cost to anyone who lives, works, pays taxes, or goes to school in the City of Philadelphia. In addition, anyone who lives in the state of Pennsylvania can obtain a Free Library card without charge. Your library card will be valid for 60 days until you verify your account.

Why is it called the Free library?

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the term “free libraries” differentiated libraries that were fully open to the public from the subscription libraries of the day, which were available exclusively to paying members.

Why is Kanopy being discontinued?

On July 1, 2019, three of the largest public libraries in the United States—the New York Public Library, the Brooklyn Public Library, and the Queens Public Library—discontinued Kanopy, citing unpredictable and unsustainable costs.

Which is better Hoopla or Kanopy?

Of these two services, Kanopy takes the prize when it comes to films — it features a variety of popular and classic movies, documentaries, and foreign films. That having been said, Hoopla has more titles and also provides access to audiobooks, ebooks, TV shows, music, and more.

Does Free Library of Philadelphia have Kanopy?

Free Library of Philadelphia card holders can access Kanopy and sign up to start streaming films on demand instantly. You will find a link to Kanopy on our Digital Media Portal.

Why is it called the Free Library of Philadelphia?

Initiated by the efforts of Dr. William Pepper, the Free Library of Philadelphia was chartered in 1891 as “a general library which shall be free to all.” Pepper received initial funding for the Library through a $225,000 bequest from his wealthy uncle, George S. Pepper.