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Table of ContentsLeadership Letter 1Year in Review 3Statistic Snapshots 6The Library Online 7Meet the Librarian 9Volunteers and Friends 11Campaign for a New Parkway Central 12Financial Highlights and Backgound 14Branch Locations 18Boards and Executive Staff 20Leadership LetterFree Library of CommunityThis year we witnessed the indisputable importance of the Free Libraryof Philadelphia to our community. As the impact of the nationaleconomic crisis hit our region, community members turned to the FreeLibrary for more services and resources to support their educational,career, cultural, and entertainment needs.The Free Library once again delivered on its promise. We provided abroad array of services to the unemployed—and the underemployed—through workshops, one-on-one counseling, and free access to theinternet and specialized databases for job seekers. More students thanever participated in our LEAP afterschool program, and attendance atour signature events—including the Free Library Festival, One Book,One Philadelphia, and Summer Reading—skyrocketed as children, teens,adults, and families took advantage of the quality, free entertainmentoffered in neighborhoods throughout our community.Just as our community turned to us in times of hardship, we asked ourcommunity for support this year—through advocacy during a city-widebudget crisis that threatened to close branch libraries, through supportof the 10,000 Books for Children book drive, and through membershipsupport of the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation. You continue toimpress us with your dedication and commitment, and we are deeplyappreciative of your efforts.From left to right: William R. Sasso, Robert C.Heim, and Siobhan A. Reardon (credit: Kellyand Massa Photography)To request a list of donors, please call 215-567-7710This past year also saw the beginnings of an exciting new brand promise and campaign that proves theFree Library is much more than a repository of books. The brand promise—Transforming Lives at Any GivenMoment—encourages staff to continue to provide excellent service and always be cognizant that everyinteraction has the possibility to positively and profoundly affect someone’s life.The events highlighted in this annual report are just a snapshot of the amazing work that takes place everyday at our 54 libraries. We invite your participation and feedback on our blog and Facebook fan page—sendus your comments and stories about how the Free Library has made a difference in your community!We thank our hardworking staff, volunteers, membership groups, and dedicated customers for helping tomake us the Free Library of Community.Siobhan A. ReardonPresident and DirectorFree Library of PhiladelphiaRobert C. HeimChair, Board of TrusteesFree Library of PhiladelphiaWilliam R. SassoChair, Board of DirectorsFree Library of PhiladelphiaFoundation1
Year in ReviewFree Library of CommunityThis past year, the Free Library of Philadelphia has been defined by a cycle of responding tobudget crises. Throughout the ups and downs, the important and irreplaceable relationshipbetween the Free Library and the Philadelphia community was more apparent than ever before.For job seekers and those looking to better manage their money, the Library became the FreeLibrary of Opportunity and the Free Library of Prosperity. For others looking for their nextadventure, the Library became the Free Library of Big Ideas and the Free Library of Inspiration.The Free Library of Philadelphia continued to provide free access to knowledge even in theface of emergency closures, budget cuts, and layoffs. In fact, many of our branches witnessedincreased circulation. The programs below are just some of the wonderful examples of how theFree Library of Philadelphia served the community this year.1. Free Library of Philadelphia Associate DirectorJoseph McPeak reads aloud during the Free LibraryFestival.(credit: Katie Riggan)2. From left to right: Free Library of Philadelphia Boardof Directors Member and Citizens Bank President andC.E.O. Daniel Fitzpatrick; Board of Directors Chair BillSasso; Mayor Michael A. Nutter; and ACME Presidentand C.E.O. Judy Spires celebrate at the Borrowers Ball.(credit: Kelly and Massa Photography)3. Free Library President and Director Siobhan A.Reardon, Target Representative Jules Ginaldi, Friendsof the Free Library of Philadelphia Executive DirectorAmy Dougherty, Mayor Michael A. Nutter, and BobEvans’ John Calhoun join the Phillie Phanatic andstudents from Bache-Martin Elementary School to kickoff the 10,000 Books for Children Drive.(credit: Kelly and Massa Photography)4. Foundation Board Member Andy Greenberg,Christopher Booth, and Fran Fattah join renownedauthor Toni Morrison (center) during the Carole PhillipsMemorial Author Events lecture and reception.(credit: Kelly and Massa Photography)Free Library of Opportunity• More than 250 local teens explored educational and career paths during the 10 th annual YouthEmpowerment Summit, “Embrace Your Possibilities,” at the Parkway Central Library on May 20. TheSummit included a keynote address by “hip-hop intellectual” Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, 24 exhibitors,and 16 workshops.• Reflecting the national economic situation, job fairs were some of our most popular events thisyear. Two job fairs at the Northeast Regional Library drew approximately 1,700 attendees, and 15companies participated in Parkway Central’s job fair, sponsored by Citizens Bank. The event was onthe calendars of so many entry-level job seekers that a line to attend stretched down the block!•• Through the support of a Philadelphia Activities Fund Grant, Kensington Branch offered intermediatecomputer classes and special events for Summer Reading.• The Job Readiness Center at Paschalville Branch increased its hours of operation by 16 percent andpurchased new materials, such as résumé paper and a new fax machine, all made possible through agrant from the Lincoln Financial Foundation.Free Library of Big Ideas• The 10,000 Books for Children book drive ensured that the more than 57,000 school children whoparticipated in the Summer Reading program had new books, despite a severe cut in the Library’smaterials budget. The book drive kicked off with a generous $20,000 donation from Target and a$25,000 gift from the Friends of the Free Library of Philadelphia, and by the time Summer Readingbegan in June, the book drive had surpassed its goal!• The Parkway Central Library’s Regional Foundation Center, a resource center for nonprofitorganizations, celebrated its 35 th anniversary in May with a special lecture from communications guruAndy Goodman.community• Sponsored by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and Target, the third annual Free LibraryFestival drew approximately 35,000 people from throughout the region for a burst of books, music,and inspiration, an increase of 8,000 visitors from the previous year! Actress Kristin Chenoweth,Olympic gold medalist Dara Torres, and young adult author John Green visited during the fun-filledweekend, which also included a street festival.•• Sundays on Stage, supported by the Philadelphia City Institute Board of Managers, held 13 familyprograms this year in Parkway Central’s Montgomery Auditorium and drew 2,291 attendees.2 3
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