The mission of the Free Library of Philadelphia is to advance literacy, guide learning, and inspire curiosity. Its vision is to build an enlightened community devoted to lifelong learning. The Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation develops resources to expand, enhance, and support the services, collections, building programs, and other activities of the Free Library of Philadelphia.
Libraries are no longer buildings only filled with books. They are community learning centers that aim to address community needs. We are not waiting for patrons to come into the building. We are taking our work out into the community to meet people where they are and learn more about how we can better serve the neighborhood.
Library Friends groups are independent community groups that support and steward individual neighborhood libraries as well as the Free Library system as a whole. The Friends groups are a vital component of the library system and insuring that we are a community centered institution. They serve as the bridge between the library and the community by: informing library staff of community issues and needs and facilitating opportunities for the library to partner with the community in addressing those needs; promoting the library and its educational, informational, and cultural resources; developing and implementing community programming; raising funds to augment the library’s budget; educating local and State policymakers on issues facing the library and the community; and much more.
The City of Philadelphia is undergoing a massive investment in its public spaces. Rebuilding Community Infrastructure (Rebuild) is the program that will invest hundreds of millions of dollars to revitalize deteriorating parks, rec centers, and libraries. A big part of the impact of this program will be the community capacity building work that will take place in addition to the capital improvements. This new investment provides a unique opportunity to increase the amount of support for Friends groups and community members who are interested in stewarding neighborhood libraries and public spaces.
This is a 23 month grant funded Foundation position with the possibility to transition into other roles if funding allows. This position is 20 hours per week.