Tag: free library of Philadelphia

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Friends of the Free Library – Frankford Branch

I have been meaning to talk a bit about the Frankford Library since Chris Wink wrote his goodbye piece to Frankford a year ago.  He said:

I’ll miss being able to walk to the always welcoming and warm Frankford Library

That captures how it is when you walk in those doors.  My opportunity came with the invitation to post information about the Friends of the Free Library meeting to be held this week.  I posted the date on the calendar and then made note that I wanted to stop by and meet these folks.

So who are the Friends of the Free Library and what are the doing at the Frankford branch?  There is never enough time, money or people.  The City of Philadelphia funds the Free Library and every year we go through the “what gets cut from the budget” exercise.  The Friends are there to fill that gap in whatever way is needed.  They may do a fund raiser.  They may volunteer in the library.  When are left the meeting yesterday they were brainstorming ways to get more volunteers.

Pat Hoberg, Michelle Feldman, Betsy Baxter, Lorraine fortino, Mary Ellen Post

Friends of the Free Library Frankford Branch

The Free Library branch in Frankford serves people of all ages.  It is not just for students working on school projects.  The computers there see heavy use by adults doing job searches.  People come in looking for all sorts of information.  Of course some people do come in looking to borrow books and I have to make the occasional stop in there to research databases on their system that the Library does not make available on line over the internet.  It is a tremendous community asset.

The next meeting of the Friends of the Free Library Frankford Branch is on Wednesday, March 16, 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the library meeting room.  Stop by and say hello.  They could use your help.

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Frankford CDC

Tracy O'Drain, Marie Delaney, Dan Lodise and Rita Lugrine board members

The Frankford CDC held a public board meeting at the Frankford Library on May 25th.  The board laid out their program of work for the next year.  It is clear that the CDC, while still hampered by the debts of the past, is dealing with those problems and has turned the corner and is looking toward the future with optimism.

This board is active and engaged and has a vision.    It was therefore somewhat disappointing that so few from the community attended this public meeting.  This is a brief listing of some of the tasks listed for the next year:

  • The CDC will continue to work on Economic & Community Development within the constraints of the current economic realities.
  • Facade Improvements to the Commercial Corridor have been ongoing with some significant progress visible on the Avenue.
  • They are using the Transit-oriented Development plan as a general blueprint for the future development.
  • They will get back into Residential Rehab when it financially responsible to do so.
  • They are going to establish a plan for Marketing Vacant Properties.
  • Work is being done on the Branding of Frankford.
  • Work with the Public Parking Authority to ease parking issues along the business strip.
  • Organizing Commercial Corridor Block Captains.
  • Producing a Frankford Businesses Brochure.
  • Establishing a Community Website.
  • Special Events will be publicized in the future.

The CDC will continue to sponsor the Northeast Philly Idol contest which is scheduled for October 16th this year.  The venue however is likely to move to the Devon Theater.  Further announcements will follow on the specifics.

Board members

Many of these tanks involve cooperation among the various groups in Frankford.  It is encouraging to see the Frankford Four working together to improve the future of the community.  Who are the Frankford Four?

  1. Frankford Community Development Corporation
  2. Frankford Civic Association
  3. Frankford Business and Professional Association
  4. Frankford Special Services District