Latest news with #FreeLibraryofPhiladelphia
Technical.ly
3 days ago
- Business
- Technical.ly
This Week in Jobs: Upgrade your career with these 24 open tech roles
Are you a 4o or a 5? Ever since ChatGPT dropped version 5 last week, a debate has raged: Did OpenAI destroy its popular chatbot with the upgrade, or was it a vast improvement? Five is less sycophantic. It acts less like your supreme bestie and more like, well, a tool. People who use it primarily as a tool have either reported little to no difference on r/ChatGPT, or they like the new version. People who use ChatGPT as more of a companion or colleague — and apparently there are more of them out there than OpenAI realized — expressed a sense of loss at the change, which couldn't be undone with prompts. The cheerleader 'personality' that was often mocked before the upgrade was instantly missed by a large and vocal set of users. Within a day, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced that 4o would be made available for plus users as a 'legacy model.' So, yes, if you love 4o, you have to pay to use it again, but keep in mind that no AI platform is free. If it's free, you are the product. Which model is best for helping with your job search? Five will give you no nonsense advice, walk you through a mock job interview and clean up your cover letters. If you need encouragement (or straight up glazing) to keep you motivated, 4o will relentlessly pump you up. The News Dozens of leaders from throughout the region convened in Wilmington Delaware for the 8th annual MILLSUMMIT, now rebranded as the Spur Impact Summit. We left with seven pieces of advice. Speaking of Delaware, , highlighting its Tech Ecosystem Conferences. Independent nonprofit universities in Pennsylvania are key drivers of local economies, according to a new report. But will they survive? A new collaboration between the Free Library of Philadelphia and esports company Nerd Street is making gaming more accessible to Philly youth. A Lancaster company is training the next generation of manufacturing pros on robots that work with humans, rather than replacing them. Kleer and Membersy is now Clerri, the leading Care Membership Platform for dental practices. The org's smart, compliant, and automated platform empowers practices to reduce their reliance on insurance, build recurring revenue and improve access to care for all. The Jobs Greater Philly Vanguard is hiring a hybrid iOS Technical Lead. Susquehanna International Group is seeking a hybrid Network Engineer. Perpay is hiring an Associate Category Manager, Business Development Lead and Head of Compliance. CubeSmart is hiring a Database Engineer. DC + Baltimore Accenture Federal Services in Annapolis is hiring a Computer Scientist L2. Tenable in Columbia is seeking a Manager, Software Engineering / Tech Lead. Mobile Communications America has a listing for an Assistant Director, Service & Operations. Brooksource is looking for a Financial Systems Security Admin and a Business Analyst. Peraton is seeking a . Pittsburgh Palo Alto Networks is hiring a Solution Consultant. PNC is seeking a Software Engineering Manager- Security & Authentication. Tandym Group needs an IT Support Associate. Allegheny County has listings for a Security Analyst II. PwC is seeking a Global Tech- Tech Lead Engineer. Remote Wiz is looking for a remote Senior Solutions Engineer. Cloudera is seeking a Senior Solutions Engineer. Crowdstrike is looking for a remote . Tavus has a listing for a remote Developer Experience Engineer.
Hindustan Times
08-07-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Philadelphia; a city that reads between the lines
In a city best known for birthing American independence, it's easy to overlook the quieter revolution of the pen. But Philadelphia is not only the birthplace of a nation — it's also one of America's great literary cities. From Benjamin Franklin's printing presses to contemporary indie bookstores thriving in repurposed rowhouses, the City of Brotherly Love has long been a haven for writers, readers, and radical thinkers. The Philadelphia skyline (Photo by J. Ryan for the PHLCVB) Founded in 1682 by William Penn, an English Quaker and advocate of religious freedom, Philadelphia was the capital of the colonial era province of Pennsylvania. It went on to play a crucial role in the American Revolutionary War, serving as the first capital of the United States from May 10, 1775, to December 12, 1777. 'As the capital, Philadelphia soon became a literary nucleus. Local presses printed pamphlets, newspapers, and journals, fanning the flames of rebellion and civic thought,' says the guide taking us on a walking tour of Philly. In 1731, inventor and to-be statesman Benjamin Franklin founded the Library Company of Philadelphia, the first public library in the colonies. Free and open to the public, it is today known for its rare collection of books and art and often hosts exhibits and public programmes. A printer by trade, Franklin not only championed literacy but also published the influential Poor Richard's Almanack from 1732 to 1758. 'Published under the pseudonym of Richard Saunders, it contained all sorts of interesting information: the calendar, weather predictions, sayings, poems. recipes, trivia, advice, aphorisms, and proverbs,' the guide says. The Free Library of Philadelphia (Courtesy The Free Library of Philadelphia) Franklin considered his almanac a vehicle of instruction for common people who could not afford books. The print run for his 'literature for the masses' hit up to 10,000 per year. His one-liners, including 'Little strokes fell great oaks', 'Necessity never made a good bargain', and 'Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing', showcased his wit and wisdom -- and are quoted across the world till today. Franklin's contemporaries included writers like Thomas Paine, whose Common Sense, a 47-page pamphlet ignited the American independence movement, and Charles Brockden Brown, often considered the first American novelist. In the 19th century, the city nurtured literary giants such as Edgar Allan Poe, who was based here for six of his most productive years. It was while living at 7th and Spring Garden that he wrote The Tell-Tale Heart, The Fall of the House of Usher, and The Black Cat. The Poe House, now a National Historic Site, preserves the claustrophobic charm of his former residence, complete with a hauntingly bare cellar that could have inspired his darkest tales. Philadelphia was also home to Louisa May Alcott, who briefly lived here as a governess; and Walt Whitman, who spent his final years across the river in Camden, often crossing the Delaware for walks and literary salons. A plaque in Philadelphia's City Hall courtyard commemorates Whitman's influence, quoting his line: 'I loaf and invite my soul.' By the turn of the century, literary journals such as Lippincott's Monthly Magazine, headquartered in the city, were publishing rising stars like Oscar Wilde, who debuted The Picture of Dorian Gray in its pages in 1890. In the 20th century, Philadelphia continued to shape American literature through its universities and its grittier street-level narratives. Black writers, in particular, found their voices here, capturing the complexities of urban life, inequality, and Black identity. Philadelphia-born poet Sonia Sanchez became a leading figure in the Black Arts Movement, and her evocative verse has inspired generations of poets. She once described poetry as 'the soul's whisper,' a whisper that seems to echo in Philly's alleys and auditoriums alike. Novelists like John Edgar Wideman and Lorene Cary chronicled the experience of growing up Black in Philadelphia with works like Philadelphia Fire and Black Ice, blending memory and social commentary. Wideman's spare yet lyrical prose, influenced by jazz, gives the city's underbelly a powerful rhythm: 'He came out the alley with his hands up and the cop fired.' Philadelphia is also home to the literary quarterly American Poetry Review, which has brought voices like Adrienne Rich, WS Merwin, and Tracy K Smith to wider audiences. Literary landmarks The Free Library of Philadelphia, housed in a striking neoclassical building, is located on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. In April 2019, the building's first renovation since its construction in 1927 saw architects relocate six historic stacks to create 41,000 square feet of space for a modern business resource and innovation centre, an inclusive cultural and civic engagement space, and a welcoming teen centre. 'It frequently hosts literary and other events,' the guide says as we walk down the expansive road. The Rosenbach Museum and Library in Rittenhouse Square showcases some important literary treasures including the manuscript of James Joyce's Ulysses (Courtesy The Rosenbach Museum and Library) The Rosenbach Museum and Library in Rittenhouse Square showcases some important literary treasures: James Joyce's manuscript for Ulysses, 600 Lewis Carroll books, letters and rare photos; Shakespeare's 1664 folio; first editions of Don Quixote; William Blake's original drawings and books; portions of Charles Dickens' manuscripts; and notes for Bram Stoker's Dracula. The Black Writers Museum, the only US museum that spotlights Black literature, is located in Germantown and houses rare newspapers and documents, manuscripts, photographs first editions, signed books, and recordings. Then there's Historic Christ Church Burial Ground, where Franklin is buried. It's impossible to leave without placing a penny at the grave of the man who popularised his maxim: 'A penny saved is a penny earned.' A few blocks away is the house where Frances EW Harper, one of the first African American women to be published in the US, lived and worked as an abolitionist and writer. The bookshops of today Modern Philly showcases its past in its many cobblestone alleys, 18th-century buildings, and landmarks like Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. But the historic façade co-exists with a restless, creative energy that reveals itself in its many murals and art galleries – and, of course, bookstores. Brickbat Books, a tiny store along Philadelphia's Fabric Row, stocks rare first editions and graphic novels. The creaky floors and quiet atmosphere make it a great place to book hunt. At House of Our Own, located in a two-storey Victorian townhouse near the University of Pennsylvania campus, students and the public have been scouring the shelves for new and used books for almost 50 years. Uncle Bobbie's Coffee & Books in Germantown, founded by scholar and activist Marc Lamont Hill, has become a hub for community-centred dialogue, offering an intentionally curated selection of books centering Black and marginalised voices. The hip neighbourhood of Fishtown has Ulises, a contemporary store stocking a fine range of artist-driven books and magazines, and offering performance art and indie film screenings. In Queen Village, Headhouse Books offers a quiet refuge of literary fiction, art books, and philosophical tomes, along with author events that feel more like intimate salons than formal readings. Harriett's Bookshop, named for historical heroine Harriett Tubman, celebrates women authors, artists, and activists (Courtesy Harriett's Bookshop) Further north, The Book Trader near Independence Mall stacks thousands of used books from floor to ceiling in narrow aisles — an organised chaos where you can stumble upon a vintage Vonnegut next to a well-loved Baldwin. As the name suggests, Harriett's Bookshop, named for historical heroine Harriett Tubman, celebrates women authors, artists, and activists. The Head & The Hand, meanwhile, supports local and emerging writers, and allows you to share your love for books with a 'date night' in the bookshop. And for those seeking genre delight, Partners and Son, a comic and graphic novel-focused shop in Olde Kensington, blends visual storytelling with literary depth. Philadelphia's neighbourhoods also host small press readings, poetry nights, zine fairs, and seasonal book festivals. Not to be missed is the Philadelphia Bookstore Crawl, a yearly celebration of the city's vibrant bookstore scene, held at the end of every August (August 23 this year). There's no specific trail; just a list of participating bookshops and numerous events like book signings, author talks, little giveaways, and discounted books. In many ways, Philadelphia is a city that reads between the lines. From the 18th-century writings of Benjamin Franklin to the contemporary voices emerging from community centres and coffeehouse stages, Philadelphia offers a layered and living literary tradition. The city's book culture is not confined to museums or monuments — it continues to evolve in libraries, bookstores, and the habits of readers and writers who call the city home. Teja Lele is an independent editor and writes on books, travel and lifestyle.
CBS News
02-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Watch live: Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker announces summer programs for young people
Philadelphia leaders across multiple departments are announcing a slate of summer programs for children and families for 2025. Mayor Cherelle Parker and heads of the Free Library of Philadelphia, Parks and Recreation, School District of Philadelphia and other agencies will speak in a press conference in City Hall on Wednesday. The event is set for 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. You can watch live on CBS News Philadelphia or wherever we're streaming. Many of the programs are returning from 2024 and are listed on . There are several pools set to open (and the city is recruiting lifeguards to staff them). The city branding for the programs is #ItsASummerThing 2025. This is a developing story and will be updated.
CBS News
05-02-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Free Library of Philadelphia and Kansas City Public Library battle in Library Love Competition
Philadelphia library fans have until Friday to help Free Library of Philadelphia win a friendly competition against rival Kansas City Public Library in the Library Love Competition. While both cities will face off at the Super Bowl in New Orleans on Sunday, the American Library Association is tallying to see how many community members in both cities love their libraries. Free Library of Philadelphia's spokesperson Mark Graham says it's been an amazing boost to see how much people love the Philadelphia library. "I love the appreciation for the wonderful library staff," Graham said. "I'm moved by how important libraries are to Philadelphians." Hundreds of comments from Philly library fans have poured in expressing everything from how the library's existence helped them find work and create community to the Free Library's commitment to inclusivity and free access to so many important resources. "Keep the comments coming," Graham said. "We're following this closely and sharing the love around the Free Library. And we need to beat Kansas City! And finally, go Birds!" Look for the Library Love Competition post on Free Library of Philadelphia's Facebook page and comment in the comment section on why Philadelphia should win before Friday. It's all part of National Library Lovers Month celebrated throughout February.
