Editing Free Library of Philadelphia (section)

==Services==

===Programs===
The Free Library of Philadelphia hosts more than 25,000 events each year, including job-search workshops, small business programming, English as a Second Language conversation groups, and computer classes. Many of these programs and services are funded in whole or in part by The Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation, a not-for-profit which exists to supplement the funds available through the City of Philadelphia for activities at the Free Library of Philadelphia. The Free Library's Culinary Literacy Center,<ref>{{cite web|title=Culinary Literacy Center|url=http://libwww.freelibrary.org/culinary/}}</ref> which opened in the spring of 2014 at the Parkway Central Library, offers culinary classes for children, teens, families, and adults to teach literacy skills through cooking as well as math, chemistry, nutrition, and health. The Library hosts a renowned Author Events Series produced through its Foundation, which brings more than 100 writers, politicians, scientists, researchers, and musicians to the Free Library annually.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://libwww.freelibrary.org/programs/authorevents/ |title=Author Events |website=Free Library of Philadelphia |access-date=February 8, 2022}}</ref> The Library Foundation also supports the Library in hosting the citywide ''One Book, One Philadelphia'' program, which encourages all Philadelphians to read and discuss the same book, fostering community and connection; the Summer Reading program, which engages some 50,000 Philadelphia school children each summer; and the Literacy Enrichment After-school Program (LEAP). In addition, the Free Library hosts months-long celebrations of literary milestones, from the birthdays of influential writers like Charles Dickens and William Shakespeare to the publication anniversaries of groundbreaking titles like ''Pride and Prejudice'' and ''Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland''.

The Free Library Foundation also manages READ by 4th,<ref>{{cite web|title=READ! by 4th|url=http://libwww.freelibrary.org/readby4th/}}</ref> a citywide effort of public and private organizations aiming to significantly increase the number of students in Philadelphia entering the 4th grade at reading level by 2020. READ by 4th's comprehensive strategy includes improving early learning, providing parents with resources to teach their children reading skills, emphasizing summer reading and other strategies to prevent learning loss, decreasing absenteeism by addressing behavioral and health concerns, and enhancing reading instruction in schools.

===Digital services===

The Free Library's digital offerings include nearly 300,000 streaming or downloadable ebooks; 1,000 public computers; 1,700-plus author event podcasts; 150 online databases; daily homework and computer literacy classes online; Hot Spot community computer training centers; and the roving Techmobile.

====Hot Spots initiative====

In March 2011, the library launched Free Library Hot Spots, placing new computer labs and computer trainers in existing community centers in low-income areas of the city. The initiative was funded by the [[John S. and James L. Knight Foundation]] and the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program.  Each Hot Spot provides computers, internet access, printers, and a small selection of Free Library materials. (These are in addition to the 650 public-access computers and free WiFi throughout the Free Library's 54 branches.)

In April 2012, the Free Library added The Techmobile, a Hot Spot on Wheels, which brings service to neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia.<ref>{{cite web |title=Free Library Hot Spots |url=https://libwww.freelibrary.org/hotspots/ |website=Free Library of Philadelphia |access-date=February 8, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://libwww.freelibrary.org/blog/post/1516 |title=Techmobile Launches Today! |author=Joel N |date=April 12, 2012 |website=Free Library of Philadelphia |access-date=February 8, 2022}}</ref> The Techmobile has six public laptops.

===Impact===

According to a study conducted by Penn's [[Fels Institute of Government]], in 2017 nearly 25,000 people learned to read or taught someone else to read solely because of the resources of the Free Library. In addition, nearly 1,000 people found jobs based on the career resources of the Free Library, and some 8,600 entrepreneurs were able to start, grow or improve their small businesses because of programs and resources available free of charge at the Library.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fels study shows Free Library's economic impact|url=https://libwww.freelibrary.org/assets/pdf/about/fels-report.pdf|access-date=2016-11-30|archive-date=2017-05-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170511032455/https://libwww.freelibrary.org/assets/pdf/about/fels-report.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>