There is a convenient search box in the blue area of every page. This feature allows you to enter a word or phrase and find information from many Library sources.

You can also search our catalog exclusively by clicking the Catalog link below the search box on our homepage.

What it searches:

The Find search box searches the resources listed below and organizes the results under three tabs:

1. Catalog. A Find search always returns Library catalog results first, as the default screen. Click here for detailed instructions on how to search the catalog.
2. Electronic Resources. These are subscription services available through the Free Library. As many as ten resources are automatically searched at once. If you're using a non-Library computer, you may need to enter your Library card number, and PIN to view the details of an item.
3. FLP Site Search. Find any Free Library web pages that contain your search terms. (See below for detailed information about Site Search.)

Technical Information

The Simple Search is federated—this means that when search terms are entered, Simple Search goes directly to the various databases and submits the search in "real-time," very much like you would if you were to perform the searches individually on your own. Speed and results can vary from one search to another. At times a particular database may be unavailable. When this happens, it will appear that no information on your search term is included in that database.

Site Search

Using our Google-powered site search, you can locate almost any of the information available on the Free Library’s website. It works the same way a familiar Google search works. In this case, the search is confined to Free Library pages. This does not include the catalog or our subscription databases.

Just click the Site Search link below the search box. The results will be a list of Free Library pages that contain your terms. Site Search can find a variety of information, from Library hours to events and collections, and everything in between.

Site Search includes:

• The Library’s Calendar of Events
• The Library's Digital Image Collections
• Branch information
• Philly FAQs
• Departmental/Subject FAQs
• Free Library recommended weblinks
• Community resources
• Free Library online booklists
• Library press releases
• And more

Advanced Search

Beneath the Find search box on the homepage is a link to the Advanced Search page. This page allows you to enter a word or phrase, and then choose which of our electronic resources to search. On the left side of the page, the Advanced Search page also contains a link directly to the Traditional Catalog, as well as links to other featured resources and new additions.

Notes:

• Select up to 15 electronic resources by checking the boxes next to them. The available list of resources can be sorted either alphabetically by clicking the Browse All link or by subject.
• As with the Simple Search, the results will be grouped under three tabs: Catalog, Electronic Resources, and FLP Site Search.
• Under the Electronic Resources tab, it's possible to view the results of all searched sources at once, or to view groups of results from specific resources individually. If you would like to explore related catalog results or conduct a related Site Search, just click on the tabs.
• Some electronic resources are available from non-Library computers, and can be accessed by logging in with your Library card number and PIN, while other resources are only available within the Library. You are able to perform a Databases Search using all of the resources that are available from your current location. The resources currently available to you will have a checkbox next to them. You will also see a list of additional resources that are available at the Library. Please come to the Library if you are interested in searching these additional resources.
• Some electronic resources are available at all Library locations, while others are available only at specific locations. Click on the icon next to any resource name to find out what it contains and where it is available.
  • Available To: Central Library indicates an electronic resource that is only available within the Central Library
  • Available To: All Free Library Locations indicates an electronic resource that is available at all Free Library locations (the Central Library, regional libraries, and all of the branches).
  • Available To: Internet with authentication indicates an electronic resource that is available from non-Library computers, by logging in with a Library card number and PIN.

Advanced Search/More Options

There is a link for More Options within the blue bar at the top of the Advanced Search page. This tool allows for highly refined searches.

Notes:

• You can combine up to three search terms using Boolean commands (e.g., AND, OR, NOT).
• Searches can be limited by language or type of material, and the number of results from each source can be restricted.
• You can select up to 15 electronic resources at one time.

Conducting a Search with AquaBrowser

Enter your search term into the search box and click "Search". Once your search term has been located, results are presented in three sections of the screen. The center of the page displays findings ranked by relevance; on the left is a Discover Cloud of related words, terms, and ideas; and on the right is a menu of choices allowing you to refine the search. If you would like to explore related Electronic Resources or conduct a Site Search with the same search term, just click on the tabs.

Search Terms

Using the right search term will yield the best results. Start with something simple; using multiple terms will make your search more specific. If you can't think of the perfect search term to find what you are looking for, enter a related search term and then consult the Discover Cloud (see below) to help you. The Discover Cloud will be populated once you enter a search term.

For example, to search for information on repairing a bicycle of a certain make, use:

If you want to conduct a very specific search by keyword, author, title, ISBN, or call number, type:

Discover Cloud

The Discover Cloud, located to the left of your search results, will present related words, terms, and ideas to help guide, specify, or expand your search.

In the Discover Cloud you will find:

• Words and phrases associated with the term you entered.
• Spelling variations of the term you entered. Click on one to switch to a different way of spelling a word (it can also correct misspellings).
• Translations of your search term into a variety of languages that are represented in the Library's collections.
• Thesaurus entries with both synonyms and antonyms of your search term.
• Word variations of your search term. For example: Enter "throw", and it will also suggest "threw."
• Discovery train: Your initial search term and subsequent selected terms from the Discover Cloud are present in blue text.

Refine Menu

After you have searched your terms, use the Refine menu to the right of your search results to select format, author, subject, languages, series, etc.

Automatic "And" Searches

By default, AquaBrowser will look only for items that include all of your search terms. There is no need to include "and" between terms. If you are looking for books that contain information about both apples and oranges, enter:

You can also use 'or' between terms to indicate that results can have any of the mentioned words.

For example, to find a book list with results representing books about apples or books about oranges, enter:

Capitalization

AquaBrowser is NOT case sensitive. Everything you type into the search box will be regarded the same.

Example:

and

will return the same results.

The green Explore section consists of selected Free Library resources on popular topics.

Contents of Topics:

• Catalog Items. These are booklists created by our librarians. Each item includes an image of the book cover (when available), as well as publication information. Clicking a book's link brings up the catalog listing and the ability to request the title with a Library card and PIN.
• Electronic Resources. These are customized searches that are designed to bring back useful results that are relevant to the topic. All you have to do is click a link and the search automatically runs.
• Web Sites. Internet links for further exploration of the topic.

When you have questions, the orange Ask a Librarian section offers several ways to interact with our librarians:

• Online Chat: Have questions? Talk live online with librarians who are ready to help. The service is currently in a trial mode, and is available on weekdays from noon until 5:00 p.m. Starting on September 6, you can access the service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Online chat is provided by Ask Here PA, along with librarians from the Free Library of Philadelphia and participating libraries across Pennsylvania.
• Visit. Find your neighborhood Free Library branch. You can find a location by keyword, ZIP code, neighborhood (map), or branch name. Branch pages include detailed information on many aspects of the branches.
• Knowledge Base. This feature offers you information developed by our staff. Knowledge Base allows you to browse our many booklists, FAQ's, guides, and weblinks. Browse by searching, by topic, or by most popular topic.

Of course, you can always call us at 215-686-5322 or e-mail us directly.

Above the three colored sections on the each page, you’ll notice a horizontal gray bar divided into four sections: About the Library, Find a Location, Programs and Services, and Support the Library. These sections contain information about the many facets of the Free Library.

About the Library
This is the place to learn about everything from our special collections to job opportunities at the Free Library. About the Library contains the following subsections:

Collections: Descriptions and featured items for our special collections.
FLP Board and Foundation: Annual reports, board members, and mission statements.
FLP Careers: Recruiting information for Free Library jobs.
FLP Executive Staff: Contact information.
History of the Library: A brief overview of our rich history.
Holidays: Dates the Library will be closed.
Library Card Policies and Fines: The Free Library’s lending rules.
Press Releases: The latest Library news.
Our Commitment to Privacy: Our privacy statement.
Our Libraries: Contact information for every branch and Central Library department.
Our Role in the Community: The mission statements of the Free Library and its Foundation.
The Renovation project: Plans for the new Central Library.

Find a Location
Locate information about all of our branches by clicking Find a Location in the gray bar on any page. There are several ways to find the location nearest to you. You can search by keyword, enter your zip code, look at a map, or find the branch name in a list. You’ll find maps, directions, hours, events, and even the histories of our branches.

Programs & Services
This section lists descriptions and contact information for the Free Library’s many offerings. Programs and services can be sorted by categories: Children, Teens, Adults, and Families.

Support the Library
There are a number of ways to support the Free Library of Philadelphia. You can offer a financial gift or spend some time volunteering with us. You might also want to visit the Friends of the Free Library website.

My Account
At the top-right of every page is a link to access your account online. After entering your Library card number and PIN, you’ll be able to change your PIN, view, and renew Library materials you’ve checked out, see books we’re holding for you, and review any fines you might have. If you can’t remember your PIN, we can email it to you.

Library Cards
A Free Library card is available at no cost to anyone who lives, works, pays taxes, or goes to school in the City of Philadelphia. In addition, anyone who is 65 or older or who has a valid card with an Access PA sticker from another Pennsylvania library can obtain a Free Library card without charge. Out-of-state residents can obtain a card by paying an annual fee of $15.00.

If you’re 18 or older, you can get a new Library card by clicking sign up now, which you can find near the top of every Free Library page. Cards should arrive in the mail in 5-10 business days. Keep in mind that you’ll need to show ID the first time you use your card.

Events
Browse the Free Library’s many events on our calendar page. You can always find this link by clicking “Events” at the top-right of every page. Events are listed by location, date, and type.  

Privacy
The Free Library of Philadelphia respects your privacy. We collect no private, personal information unless you voluntarily supply it. For more information, please read our Privacy Statement.

RSS
The Free Library’s RSS feeds provide automatic updates on selected Library lectures and events. You will need a news reader to access the feeds.

Accessibility
If you’re having trouble reading the words on our website, you can easily expand or reduce the size of the letters. Just click the [ + ] and [ - ] signs on the top-right of every page to customize the text size.

Contact Us
We welcome you to write us with your questions and comments about the Free Library website. Please include your email address if you would like a reply. We try to respond to all queries within a few days.