Free Library Festival

Dates

April 17-18, 2010

The Experience

Now in its fourth year, the Free Library Festival is the Library’s annual burst of ideas and inspiration.

Well on its way to becoming a Philadelphia tradition, the Festival weekend is packed with free programming for all ages, including talks by bestselling authors, poetry readings, musical performances, tours of the Library’s special collections and programs and activities just for children. A fun, free way to spend the day, the Free Library Festival connects book lovers from throughout the mid-Atlantic region.

For a full schedule of performances, view the Festival Program.

Meet the Authors

The Free Library will host more than 50 authors on-stage at the 2010 Free Library Festival, including Tina Campbell of the urban gospel duo Mary Mary, talk show host Chelsea Handler, Sapphire — author of Push, basis for the award-winning film Precious, Man Booker Prize winner Yann Martel, Edgar Award-winning mystery author Harlan Coben, Oprah Winfrey biographer Kitty Kelley, pop singer/songwriter Tommy James, a reading and performance by Antonino D’Ambrosio about the making of Johnny Cash’s Bitter Tears album, New York Times bestselling novelist Chang-rae Lee, the story of a road trip with the late David Foster Wallace by David Lipsky, and many, many more.

Musical Performances

Some of this year’s musical performers include The Cat’s Pajamas, Maud in Cahoots, Cumbiagra and Tommy James. For a full list, click here.