🎙️ NRG’s 10th Annual Media Charity Flag Football Game
We kick things off with an on-site interview featuring Dan McCunney, Senior Manager of Communications at NRG, during their 10th Annual Media Charity Flag Football Game. The event supports some of the region’s most impactful nonprofits and highlights how NRG customers can give back through their utility bills or receive rewards like airline miles.
🔗 Learn more or choose to give at: www.picknrg.com/choose-to-give
🎙️ Sheriff Rochelle Bilal – Deputy Sheriff Recruitment Drive
We’re joined by Sheriff Rochelle Bilal, the first African American woman elected Sheriff in Philadelphia. She leads with a focus on transparency, reform, and building stronger community relationships. Sheriff Bilal discusses the Second Deputy Sheriff Recruitment Drive, in partnership with PA Representatives Anthony Bellmon, Darisha Parker, and Senator Sharif Street—an initiative to recruit diverse and qualified candidates to serve the city with integrity. 🗓 Event Details:
Date: Saturday, June 21, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: Sturgis Playground, 200 W 65th Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19126
🔗 More Info: www.phillysheriff.com
📱 Follow the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office:
🎙️ Kelly Richards & Monique Moore Pryor – The Free Library’s Future
Our final guests are Kelly Richards, President & Director of the Free Library of Philadelphia, and Monique Moore Pryor, President of the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation. They share how the Free Library is evolving as a civic hub—through inclusive programs like the Summer of Wonder, a citywide Strategic Planning Process, upcoming town halls, and surveys designed to engage every Philadelphia neighborhood in shaping the future of the library.
🔗 Get Involved:
We kick things off with an on-site interview featuring Dan McCunney, Senior Manager of Communications at NRG, during their 10th Annual Media Charity Flag Football Game. The event supports some of the region’s most impactful nonprofits and highlights how NRG customers can give back through their utility bills or receive rewards like airline miles.
🔗 Learn more or choose to give at: www.picknrg.com/choose-to-give
🎙️ Sheriff Rochelle Bilal – Deputy Sheriff Recruitment Drive
We’re joined by Sheriff Rochelle Bilal, the first African American woman elected Sheriff in Philadelphia. She leads with a focus on transparency, reform, and building stronger community relationships. Sheriff Bilal discusses the Second Deputy Sheriff Recruitment Drive, in partnership with PA Representatives Anthony Bellmon, Darisha Parker, and Senator Sharif Street—an initiative to recruit diverse and qualified candidates to serve the city with integrity. 🗓 Event Details:
Date: Saturday, June 21, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: Sturgis Playground, 200 W 65th Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19126
🔗 More Info: www.phillysheriff.com
📱 Follow the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office:
- X: @philasheriff
- Instagram: @phillysheriff
- Facebook: facebook.com/philasheriff
- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/phillysheriff
🎙️ Kelly Richards & Monique Moore Pryor – The Free Library’s Future
Our final guests are Kelly Richards, President & Director of the Free Library of Philadelphia, and Monique Moore Pryor, President of the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation. They share how the Free Library is evolving as a civic hub—through inclusive programs like the Summer of Wonder, a citywide Strategic Planning Process, upcoming town halls, and surveys designed to engage every Philadelphia neighborhood in shaping the future of the library.
🔗 Get Involved:
- Library: www.freelibrary.org
- Foundation: www.freelibraryfoundation.org
📱 Social Media: - Instagram: @freelibrary
- Facebook: Free Library of Philadelphia
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Good morning, and welcome to what's going on a show
about making a difference in our lives and our communities.
I'm Lorraine Ballardmorrow, we'll talk about the free Library, Summer
of Wonder and the future of this important institution and
how we can help. We'll be talking about job opportunities
in the city's Sheriff's office. But first, on Monday, June eleventh,
I was at the tenth annual NRG Charity Flag Football Game.
(00:23):
A decade of fun and giving back to the community.
Media personalities played to raise money for great local charities.
I checked in before the game got started. I'm here
at the Novercare Center where we're going to be just
about ready to embark on the NRG Flag Football Charity Game.
And to tell us all about it is Dan, Dan.
(00:43):
Tell us who you are.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
I'm Dan mccunny, Senior manager Communications with NRG.
Speaker 1 (00:47):
All right, so tell us what exactly is happening today.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
So this is the tenth year of our Energy Charity
Flag Football Game.
Speaker 3 (00:53):
We're bringing together thirty two.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Members of the media to play against each other to.
Speaker 3 (00:57):
Contribute funds to our Tuesday Give nonprofit.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
It's a Memore's Philipbundon, It's Big Brothers, Big Sisters, and
Children's Hospital Philadelphia.
Speaker 1 (01:04):
So there are teams from all around the media and
they've separated out into different teams, and each team has
the opportunity to raise money for those various charities. Tell
us more about the choose to win. Because ENERG has
the opportunity to contribute some of your utility bill to
good works. Tell us more.
Speaker 3 (01:25):
That's right.
Speaker 2 (01:25):
The Choosy Gift Plan is our home energy plan that
allows you to contribute.
Speaker 3 (01:29):
Money from your energy bills.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
So just turning on your light switch, plugging in your
EV and all that goes towards contributing to one of
these local organizations. So anytime you're doing things that you
would do anyway, you're contributing to one of these charities.
Speaker 4 (01:43):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (01:43):
Now I am a ENERG customer as it happens, and
I choose to give to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Now,
in addition to being good works and all, there are
other options. Right, if you are an energy customer, not
only can you choose to give to a non profit,
but there are other.
Speaker 3 (02:01):
Ways to.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
Tailor your utility build tell us more.
Speaker 3 (02:06):
Yes, we have plans that offer airline miles.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
So if travel is one of your things that you're
interested in, you can sign up a for a plan
that gives you airline miles for every kilo what hour
that you're using at home using your home electricity. So
we've got lots of plans for every lifestyle, all right.
Speaker 1 (02:21):
And if people want more information about nrg's Choose to
Give and all the different programs available through energy, how
do we find out more?
Speaker 2 (02:30):
Visit pickanrg dot com and find the plan that's right
for you.
Speaker 3 (02:33):
All right, Dan, thank you, thank you.
Speaker 1 (02:36):
I spoke to one of our iHeartMedia personalities who played
in the game. Well, I just happened to run into
one of our players today.
Speaker 3 (02:42):
Tell us who you are, yo, what's up?
Speaker 1 (02:44):
It's Buster playing for Big Brothers Big Sisters today.
Speaker 4 (02:47):
Let's go.
Speaker 1 (02:48):
Yeah, fantastic. Now you've played before, tell us what your
strategy is.
Speaker 3 (02:52):
I'm here for vibes and wisecracks.
Speaker 1 (02:55):
Fantastic. You're number one in those areas, so.
Speaker 5 (02:57):
Thank you so much.
Speaker 3 (02:59):
Let's go.
Speaker 1 (03:00):
Total of thirty six thousand dollars were donated to support
local Choose to Give nonprofits, adding to more than twenty
three million dollars contributed by NRG since twenty seventeen.
Speaker 5 (03:24):
Aysis missed you this morning. Kim told me you weren't
feeling well, so I'm just doing a self care check.
Thank you friend. Now you're doing girl. Listen.
Speaker 4 (03:32):
My energy was so low because I didn't eat breakfast
when I got up, so I had to miss virtual
yoga with y'all.
Speaker 5 (03:38):
Trust me, I understand.
Speaker 4 (03:39):
But I'm doing much better now that I've eaten, so
I'm back on track.
Speaker 6 (03:43):
Great.
Speaker 5 (03:43):
In that case, let's get some steps in tonight. I'll
come over and we can walk around the lake.
Speaker 7 (03:48):
Sounds good.
Speaker 4 (03:49):
Appreciate you being in my business too. Now let me
get in yours. Did you check your blood pressure today?
I did that and my squats. Okay, okay. High blood
pressure is not going to be my friend. If I
can help it. See you at six.
Speaker 7 (04:03):
Let's get it.
Speaker 4 (04:04):
See you then.
Speaker 7 (04:06):
Now, more than ever, it's important that we protect our
hearts and the hearts of those we love. Check in
on one another, and be a part of a healthy
blood pressure movement. Rally your squad to take the online
plans yet Release the Pressure dot org brought to you
by the Release the Pressure Coalition and the AD Council.
Speaker 8 (04:24):
Not completing high school is more of a social thing
than it was an academic thing. I came out in
the eleventh grade. Nobody was embracing you. The kids were cruel.
It was very difficult to be gay. Even all these
years have passed, I still had that longing to have
my diploma. The hard part was determining that I was
(04:45):
going to do it. But I definitely didn't do it alone.
Speaker 9 (04:47):
At age thirty, with the help of her mentor, Carissa
finished her high school diploma.
Speaker 8 (04:52):
I have a mentor, Maria. She convinced me to continue
my education and to finish what I started to get
my diploma. Never judges. She's a true role model. If
you're even considering getting your high school diploma, go get it.
You can do it.
Speaker 9 (05:09):
No one gets a diploma alone. If you're thinking of
finishing your high school diploma, you have help find free
adult education classes near you at Finish your Diploma dot org.
That's finished your diploma dot org. Brought to you by
the Dollar General Literacy Foundation and the AD Council.
Speaker 10 (05:24):
The Alzheimer's Association and the AD Council present the story
of Tom and Levi.
Speaker 6 (05:29):
Tom is the smartest man I know He's been a
professor at two major university. He's been a teacher for
over forty years. One day he told me that he
was having problems in his classes. I think one of
the students had asked the question and he didn't remember
the answer. And I also noticed that he was letting
his class out earlier than they were supposed to let out,
and he was telling them that he was doing it
(05:51):
as a favor to them, but I think in reality,
he just wanted to get out of there. I was
really starting to worry because I saw something that's wrong.
Speaker 4 (06:00):
Levi and I talked about out would change our lives.
Speaker 10 (06:04):
But she was there beside me, and my love for him.
Speaker 3 (06:08):
Was just immense.
Speaker 10 (06:10):
When something feels different, it could be Alzheimer's. Now is
the time to talk. Visit alz dot org slash our
stories to learn more. A message from the Alzheimer's Association
and the ad Council.
Speaker 1 (06:26):
You're listening to what's going on. We welcome Sheriff Rochelle Balal,
(06:47):
the first African American woman elected sheriff in the city
of Philadelphia. She's joining us to talk about the upcoming
second deputy sheriff recruitment drive happening this summer in partnership
with a bunch of folks. I want to thank you
so much for joining us here today. Start by telling
us why the deputy sheriff recruitment drive is so important
(07:07):
right now.
Speaker 11 (07:07):
Oh, it's more than important. First of all, thank you
very much allowing us to have this conversation about what
we are doing here in the sheriff office and reference
to recruitment. We appreciate that the Philip Sheriff Office is
hosting a series of summer recruitment This is very important
because around the country, everybody is down in manpower law enforcement,
(07:31):
police sheriffs around the country, and because all the things
that happen to bring us to this point you're talking
about civil unrests and the pandemic. It seems like nobody
wants to be a sheriff or a police officer. So
it's very important that we get out in the community,
let them know what it is that we do, let
them know about this career that they can have in
(07:53):
becoming a sheriff. That's what we're doing. It's very important,
and we are working around the clock and around this
they get this done.
Speaker 1 (08:01):
What are some qualities you're looking for in candidates and
what should applicants expect from the hiring process.
Speaker 11 (08:07):
Well, we're looking for those that are eager to start
their career or for those who are experienced that want
to move from another law enforcement agency to the sheriff's office.
What we need in them physical agility. They need to
be able to be physically fit. They need to be
able to pass a background check. That means we're gonna
(08:29):
check out your background, social media, anything that you have
done in your life in the past ten years. We
need to look at that. We're not going to say
that you're not gonna make it through, we just need
to look at it. We also looking for those that
are mentally capable of doing this job, because being a
sheriff is not an easy job. It's a rewarding job.
(08:51):
So we're gonna look at those things. When we say
physically fit, they can go up on our website right
underneath the recruitment application or right right underneath there. It
tells them what do you need to be physically fit
and reference to the sheriff, a reference to your age train.
Speaker 1 (09:07):
Also the upcoming event that is happening on Saturday, June
twenty first, from ten am to two pm at Sturdis Playground.
Is in partnership with several elected officials, and I wonder
if you can talk about the importance of collaboration in
recruitment and community trust.
Speaker 11 (09:25):
Well, it's collaboration with the elected officials up in that area,
but you don't have to live up in that area
to come to this. Pennsylvania Representative Anthony Bellman, State Representative
Derrisha Parker, and Senator Sharis Street are all our partners
in this. It's about building a safety team that reflects
the communities that we serve, a team that understands the
(09:50):
neighborhoods and cares about their future. Attendees will meet current deputies,
ask questions, and learn how to apply for the roll
of deputy sheriffs. They will get all of that at
that meet and they will get me and I will
have a conversation with because I really need them to
think about the Sheriff's office as a career.
Speaker 1 (10:10):
I wonder if you can talk beyond employment, what does
a career in the sheriff's office offer to individuals looking
to make a difference.
Speaker 11 (10:18):
It offers everything that we have in this office. Basically,
you can be a deputy sheriff as court security. You
can be a deputy sheriff in the warrant unit that
is out there in the street serving warrants, trying to
get people off the street that have warrants that is
causing problems in our neighborhood. You can be a K
nine officer. You can be a bike unit person that
(10:40):
if you like bikes, we have that. You can be
our real estate department where you can be in there
learning about the real estate process and the shriff's cell process.
Or you can be in our civil unit. Our civil
unit a the ones that serve the paperwork on any foreclosure,
tax lian seals and they basically work all out community also,
(11:01):
so you have opportunities to be whatever it is that
you want to be.
Speaker 5 (11:05):
Ad.
Speaker 11 (11:06):
You can be in our community engagement because if you're
a person that likes to be in the community, we
like to be seeing, touch and felt for those citizens
of this city. And if you like being our community
to be part of our community outreach.
Speaker 1 (11:19):
How can a public support this initiative even if they're
not applying themselves.
Speaker 11 (11:24):
Call your family up or your brother, your sister, your cousins,
your nephew, your nieces, you got people coming out of
college right now and they're trying to figure out what
it is that they're going to do. This is an
opportunity to start off at a good salary, good benefits
as to do that. So if you don't want to
be you have family members, you know, you do, call
(11:46):
them up, tell them this is an opportunity and a
career that they can engage in being a deputy share
for the City of Philopia.
Speaker 1 (11:53):
So many opportunities in the Sheriff's office. And again, there
is an event that's happening on Saturday, June twenty first,
from ten am to two pm at Sturgis Playground, two
hundred West sixty fifth Avenue right here in Philadelphia. Tell
us where people can find out more information not only
about this event that's a recruitment event, but any further
(12:14):
recruitment events that happened throughout the summer.
Speaker 11 (12:16):
We got a few more recruitments events. We're going to
be having them all year, but this one is at Sturges.
You can go to phillyshriff dot com. We have those
flyers up there if you missed that one. We got
one June twenty eight. It happens to be my birthday,
and that's going to be the forty three hundred block
of North American Street. Come on out and apply for
deputy sheriff and come help me celebrate my birthday at
(12:38):
the same time. July to twelfth is another an event
that we're having out in Frankfurt Paul's Park, forty six
seventy three Paul Street, Philadufia. That's July to twelfth. We're
going to continue to have different events around this city
because at under this new administration, they are now advertised
(13:00):
SUREFF deputy recruitment more than just once a year. Prior
to this, it was only advertised once a year, and
I mean only put up on a city website, not radio,
not TV, not on the billboard, not on anything else.
Speaker 3 (13:17):
But at this point.
Speaker 11 (13:18):
It's on everything. So coing out to our recruitment job
and make sure you let your family know. Go to
Phillyshriff dot com and talk them into it. I got
mothers called me, can my son do yes? Let me
walk them through the process. Come be a deputy sheriff.
It's rewarding.
Speaker 1 (13:36):
Well, it sounds like you're trying to do everything you
can to make this a process that people can be
accessible for and there are so many opportunities to check
out whether or not you want to join the Sheriff's
office to become a deputy Sheriff. I want to thank
you so much, Sheriff Rochelle Blah, the first African American
woman the elected sheriff in the city of Philadelphia. Thank
you so much for joining us here today, and hopefully
(13:59):
listeners out there will take this opportunity to check out
the website or go to one of the many events
that you're offering all throughout the year. Thank you so
much for joining us today.
Speaker 11 (14:08):
And thank you so much for having us. We appreciate you.
Speaker 1 (14:21):
Today we're joined by Kelly Richards, President and Director of
the Free Library of Philadelphia, and Monique Moore, prior president
of the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation. They're here to
talk about how the library system is evolving to meet
the needs of the city, its role in civic life,
and how you can get involved in shaping the future
(14:41):
through community driven initiatives like the Summer of Wonder and
the Library Strategic Planning Process. I know for me the
library was a sanctuary, and I know for so many
young people and community members, libraries are a community hub,
and let's talk about the big picture. How do you
both see the role of libraries evolving, especially in a
(15:04):
city like Philadelphia.
Speaker 12 (15:06):
That's a great question.
Speaker 13 (15:07):
Libraries are a vital hub and every neighborhood, every community,
each neighborhood, library is a place where people can go
and it inspires their curiosity. It's a place where they
can go connect with the community. You know, it's a
place where it empowers them. It gives them a direction
(15:29):
and a focus in their lives. So libraries they grow
as community grows, as things change in our society. Libraries
meet those needs. So libraries are such an important place.
Speaker 1 (15:43):
Monika, just to follow up on that question, I know
that the libraries have evolved so much. It's not simply
that you go in and you check out some books.
You can go in and go to the computers and
create a resume, or go job hunting, or you can
rent games, you can pet pet animals from the zoo.
I've been to some of those events where zoo animals
(16:05):
have been there for my kids to pet. So libraries
clearly are evolving and have evolved and will continue to evolve. Again,
can you answer that question talking about the future and
the evolution of libraries.
Speaker 12 (16:19):
Yes, I love that you brought up the pets because
in one of our libraries we do have a beehive
that's inside the library and the bees. It just goes
through so many changes and kids come in are just
in awe. So yes, there are more. It starts with books.
It begins with books, but we're meeting the needs of
(16:40):
other citizens. Kelly and his team does an amazing job.
You similar to when I was growing up meeting the need.
It's in a generational So when I grew up, it
was where I went after school until my mother came
home from work to pick me up and I could
talk to my local grandmoms who adopted me. But today
that still continues vital hubs for learning and culture and
(17:02):
career support. As you mentioned, there's a statistic that states
that eighty percent of adults go to the library to
access their government benefits, so they're using the computer. Like
you said, Kelly has stated the art equipment in the
libraries with the support of the City of Philadelphia and
some funders that helped us with that. So the games
(17:26):
that was a new addition under Kelly's leadership. We know
our youth and even some young adults older adults are
into video games, and it's a way to bring them
into the library, and so they come, can rent these games,
can stay and play. But most times when I visit
and to our library, I do see, Yeah, everyone's dashing
(17:46):
for the state of the art computers, whether it's to
find a job or to play until it's time for
the students to go into tutoring after school.
Speaker 1 (17:56):
In the summer, when my son was young and with
his little friends, used to go to the library for
all the different events. And there's really no lack of things,
and you've got the Summer of Wonder with all kinds
of activities in all the different branches. Kelly, tell us
a little more about what that is. And I know
when I used to participate, there was a little sticker
(18:16):
book and if you checked out a book, you put
a little sticker in it, and then if you fill
the sticker book, then you got something for it. So
tell us a little more about what you have and
plan for this books.
Speaker 13 (18:27):
Still book that you can fill out, you know, for
the various programs that you participate in. But the Summer
and Wonder is a summer reading program or summer literacy
program to keep kids inspired during the summer months when
traditionally and you have that summer slide, you know, where
they'd lose some of the information that they gained through
(18:49):
the school year. But the Summer Wonder is a program
that we do which is a summer reading program that
happens nationally, but ours has been going on for over
one hundred years. You know, we're one of the oldest
libraries to do this, and it's just a fantastic family
orient and summer program to engage young people and families
with the library services, with reading, fun, very fun events,
(19:13):
programming efforts, and every programs you go to you get
like little credits for going to programs, you get credits
for reading books, coming to story times. It's just an
all inclusive, family oriented fund program that you get prizes,
you know, at different points in your booklet. It's one
of the greatest things that we do and the biggest
(19:34):
program that we do in the library throughout the year
that brings in the most that touches the most people,
and that's typically you know, any library that runs these
this major Summer of Wonder program money.
Speaker 1 (19:50):
One of the things that the library is doing, which
I think is wonderful is really getting the input of
the community to make sure that you meet the community
where it lives. You meet them and hear and listen.
You're in the midst of a citywide strategic planning process.
Can you walk us through how the public can participate
and why their voices matter.
Speaker 12 (20:10):
Yeah. So this is a real transformational time for all
kinds of institutions across the country. We are rethinking what
you know the library can be and is in other places,
and we want to hear from the community. There are
a number of town halls coming up. We can't move
forward the library and Kelly and his team can't meet
(20:31):
the needs of the public if we don't have the
public's input, and so some local town halls are coming up.
One it will be next week June sixteenth at the
Bock Building, Then do twenty three at Esperenza Arts Center,
July second at King Sexing Library and July sixteenth at
Parkway Central Library. The Strategic Plan which Pew Charitable Trusts
(20:56):
funded the strategic plan for the library and find theation.
We're so grateful for them. The public's input is important
and so we're using these funds to go into the
libraries and hear from the public about what they need
and how they can make a difference by meeting the
needs in the city. When we gather, we'll have public input.
Future funders. City council are elected officials who you know
(21:20):
Kelly puts forth his budget and you know the city
has a lot of needs. This type of input will
allow our elected officials as well as our donors and
funders that help bridge some of the gaps. Hear what
the public needs, and my team and Kelly seem can
strategize on how to meet those needs.
Speaker 1 (21:38):
Kelly, I've been around long enough to see the libraries
experience many crisis in terms of funding. We've been through
periods of time in which library branches we had the
threat of closing. But during those times, it seems as
those citizens would rise up and fight against that because
we know how important libraries are. So I wonder if
(22:01):
you can talk more about and actually Monique as well
about funding in the future. What are the challenges that
you experience and what are some ways that we can
support the library and why support is so crucial.
Speaker 13 (22:16):
City budgets are cyclicalt they go up, they go down.
But one of the things that I really feel good
about is this support that Mayor Parker and the Council
has put into the library. Our budget has increased significantly,
and with her plan for cleaner, greener, safer city with
(22:36):
economic opportunity for all, she sees the importance of education
and literacy and the importance of a library, and how
we integrate with our community college and our school districts
and charter schools, and she sees that synergy that's built
from these organizations working together. So we really appreciate that support.
(22:58):
With all that being said that you know, budgets are cyclical,
and you know the economy and the you know issues
we face from the federal level with the institute museums
and libraries. It is so important to support the Free
Library of Philadelphia Foundation as they add more value to
(23:20):
what's given to us in tax dollars to provide the
services that we do for each neighborhood library, and every
neighborhood library is different and the needs and each part
of our community is different, and we try to meet
those needs and when we can't, we really rely heavily
on the support of our donorbase and support of what
the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation can do for us
(23:42):
to add you know, I say it's like the instead
of like like the cherry on the cake. You know,
what the foundation gives us is the is the whipped
cream and chairy and it's so important to the foundation
and the cake that our councilor mayorts built very.
Speaker 1 (23:58):
Good and money. I'm going to give you the last word,
and I wonder if you can perhaps come up with
a kind of a vision for the future, because sometimes
we don't know what we don't know. In other words,
you know, the future, especially with new technology like quantum
computing and AI coming to for really disrupting our society
(24:23):
in so many different ways. I wonder if you can
talk more about the role that you see libraries are
as we move into this new era of technology and
social upheaval. To be honest with you, so tell us
a little more about what the vision you see for
the library and what role as a civic pillar of
(24:44):
our community. How does that fit in with that?
Speaker 12 (24:47):
Yeah, I love that question. You know, literacy, basic literacy
has different proms and so literacy reading levels are so important.
But then you you have health literacy, you have financial literacy,
and you also have digital literacy and the latter one,
we really need more investment in with AI. We know
(25:11):
that that is adding onto a bigger gap, a bigger
divide in those community that may not have the same
resources as others. And Kelly's librarians and librarians in Philadelphia,
I consider them jack of all trades. They are able
to help people find what they're looking for in the
(25:32):
library as well as on the computer. But now with
this increase in technology and digital technology, the Foundation is
helping fund programs to bring people in to to bridge
that digital divide. But this strategic plan, with the help
and the input of the community, UH will able to
(25:53):
share with our elected officials and private donors and may
Or Parker, you know all that they've done to invest
in the libraries, but there's even more we can do.
And so it's basically if literacy has a positive impact
on the economic development of any community, and when you
are more literate, literacy enhances the working capabilities of people
(26:16):
by providing them with skills and so having a library
that can pull people in, whether it's bridging digital literacy,
telling the community of how they can be a health
advocate for themselves, bringing them into the library, sharing with
them and upskilling them will have a positive impact on
the economic development of that community and the city at
(26:40):
large and safety. Right the more libraries we can keep
open and stay open, where our young people can go into,
have things to do, our aging population, keeping them healthy healthy.
We know loneliness is one of the major killers in
this country, and so going to the library, supporting all
all these avenues and creating more, creating what's called maker
(27:03):
spaces where you know, we can hopefully do podcasts in
a local library, where we can have gaming competitions. We
have we're promoting a gaming competition through the library right
now thanks to some funders at PCI, So there's infinite possibilities.
I know Kelly and I both have visited libraries across
the country. And while we know the city and elected officials,
(27:28):
Mayor Parker has done so much to put into our cities,
so much more that can be done, and we know
that the public's input in this strategic plan will help
us shape and navigate how to move forward and inform
those who want to invest in the city. At Philadelphia, well.
Speaker 1 (27:45):
I can say that I have a great affection for libraries.
That was my sanctuary once a week. I'd come home
with seven books, read them, come back get seven more.
And it was an absolute wonderful sanctuary for me. And
now libraries have it. It's reached in so many different
directions in ways that I would never have anticipated as
a kid growing up in my old neighborhood. And that's
(28:09):
where the Free Library is looking for all of our
listeners to participate. Go to FreeLibrary dot org or the
Freelibraryfoundation dot org to find out more about these town
hall meetings, and certainly if you've got some kids, you
want to check out the Summer of Wonder. It is
absolutely fantastic. I remember participating with my own son, Christopher
(28:29):
back in the day when he was a little guy,
and so I thank you both for all the work
that you do and what you're doing to grow the
library and evolve it into the next century. Kelly Richards,
President Director the Free Library of Philadelphia, Monique Moore, Prior,
President of the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation, thank you
(28:50):
both for joining us.
Speaker 12 (28:51):
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Speaker 13 (28:52):
I really appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (28:54):
You can listen to all of today's interviews by going
to our station website and typing in keyword community. You
can also listen on the iHeartRadio app key Words Philadelphia
Community Podcast. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram at Lorraine Ballard.
I'm Lorraine Ballard MOREL and I stand for service to
our community and media that empowers. What will you stand for?
(29:14):
You've been listening to what's going on, and thank you
Good morning, and welcome to what's going on a show
about making a difference in our lives and our communities.
I'm Lorraine Ballardmorrow, we'll talk about the free Library, Summer
of Wonder and the future of this important institution and
how we can help. We'll be talking about job opportunities
in the city's Sheriff's office. But first, on Monday, June eleventh,
I was at the tenth annual NRG Charity Flag Football Game.
(00:23):
A decade of fun and giving back to the community.
Media personalities played to raise money for great local charities.
I checked in before the game got started. I'm here
at the Novercare Center where we're going to be just
about ready to embark on the NRG Flag Football Charity Game.
And to tell us all about it is Dan, Dan.
(00:43):
Tell us who you are.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
I'm Dan mccunny, Senior manager Communications with NRG.
Speaker 1 (00:47):
All right, so tell us what exactly is happening today.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
So this is the tenth year of our Energy Charity
Flag Football Game.
Speaker 3 (00:53):
We're bringing together thirty two.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Members of the media to play against each other to.
Speaker 3 (00:57):
Contribute funds to our Tuesday Give nonprofit.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
It's a Memore's Philipbundon, It's Big Brothers, Big Sisters, and
Children's Hospital Philadelphia.
Speaker 1 (01:04):
So there are teams from all around the media and
they've separated out into different teams, and each team has
the opportunity to raise money for those various charities. Tell
us more about the choose to win. Because ENERG has
the opportunity to contribute some of your utility bill to
good works. Tell us more.
Speaker 3 (01:25):
That's right.
Speaker 2 (01:25):
The Choosy Gift Plan is our home energy plan that
allows you to contribute.
Speaker 3 (01:29):
Money from your energy bills.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
So just turning on your light switch, plugging in your
EV and all that goes towards contributing to one of
these local organizations. So anytime you're doing things that you
would do anyway, you're contributing to one of these charities.
Speaker 4 (01:43):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (01:43):
Now I am a ENERG customer as it happens, and
I choose to give to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Now,
in addition to being good works and all, there are
other options. Right, if you are an energy customer, not
only can you choose to give to a non profit,
but there are other.
Speaker 3 (02:01):
Ways to.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
Tailor your utility build tell us more.
Speaker 3 (02:06):
Yes, we have plans that offer airline miles.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
So if travel is one of your things that you're
interested in, you can sign up a for a plan
that gives you airline miles for every kilo what hour
that you're using at home using your home electricity. So
we've got lots of plans for every lifestyle, all right.
Speaker 1 (02:21):
And if people want more information about nrg's Choose to
Give and all the different programs available through energy, how
do we find out more?
Speaker 2 (02:30):
Visit pickanrg dot com and find the plan that's right
for you.
Speaker 3 (02:33):
All right, Dan, thank you, thank you.
Speaker 1 (02:36):
I spoke to one of our iHeartMedia personalities who played
in the game. Well, I just happened to run into
one of our players today.
Speaker 3 (02:42):
Tell us who you are, yo, what's up?
Speaker 1 (02:44):
It's Buster playing for Big Brothers Big Sisters today.
Speaker 4 (02:47):
Let's go.
Speaker 1 (02:48):
Yeah, fantastic. Now you've played before, tell us what your
strategy is.
Speaker 3 (02:52):
I'm here for vibes and wisecracks.
Speaker 1 (02:55):
Fantastic. You're number one in those areas, so.
Speaker 5 (02:57):
Thank you so much.
Speaker 3 (02:59):
Let's go.
Speaker 1 (03:00):
Total of thirty six thousand dollars were donated to support
local Choose to Give nonprofits, adding to more than twenty
three million dollars contributed by NRG since twenty seventeen.
Speaker 5 (03:24):
Aysis missed you this morning. Kim told me you weren't
feeling well, so I'm just doing a self care check.
Thank you friend. Now you're doing girl. Listen.
Speaker 4 (03:32):
My energy was so low because I didn't eat breakfast
when I got up, so I had to miss virtual
yoga with y'all.
Speaker 5 (03:38):
Trust me, I understand.
Speaker 4 (03:39):
But I'm doing much better now that I've eaten, so
I'm back on track.
Speaker 6 (03:43):
Great.
Speaker 5 (03:43):
In that case, let's get some steps in tonight. I'll
come over and we can walk around the lake.
Speaker 7 (03:48):
Sounds good.
Speaker 4 (03:49):
Appreciate you being in my business too. Now let me
get in yours. Did you check your blood pressure today?
I did that and my squats. Okay, okay. High blood
pressure is not going to be my friend. If I
can help it. See you at six.
Speaker 7 (04:03):
Let's get it.
Speaker 4 (04:04):
See you then.
Speaker 7 (04:06):
Now, more than ever, it's important that we protect our
hearts and the hearts of those we love. Check in
on one another, and be a part of a healthy
blood pressure movement. Rally your squad to take the online
plans yet Release the Pressure dot org brought to you
by the Release the Pressure Coalition and the AD Council.
Speaker 8 (04:24):
Not completing high school is more of a social thing
than it was an academic thing. I came out in
the eleventh grade. Nobody was embracing you. The kids were cruel.
It was very difficult to be gay. Even all these
years have passed, I still had that longing to have
my diploma. The hard part was determining that I was
(04:45):
going to do it. But I definitely didn't do it alone.
Speaker 9 (04:47):
At age thirty, with the help of her mentor, Carissa
finished her high school diploma.
Speaker 8 (04:52):
I have a mentor, Maria. She convinced me to continue
my education and to finish what I started to get
my diploma. Never judges. She's a true role model. If
you're even considering getting your high school diploma, go get it.
You can do it.
Speaker 9 (05:09):
No one gets a diploma alone. If you're thinking of
finishing your high school diploma, you have help find free
adult education classes near you at Finish your Diploma dot org.
That's finished your diploma dot org. Brought to you by
the Dollar General Literacy Foundation and the AD Council.
Speaker 10 (05:24):
The Alzheimer's Association and the AD Council present the story
of Tom and Levi.
Speaker 6 (05:29):
Tom is the smartest man I know He's been a
professor at two major university. He's been a teacher for
over forty years. One day he told me that he
was having problems in his classes. I think one of
the students had asked the question and he didn't remember
the answer. And I also noticed that he was letting
his class out earlier than they were supposed to let out,
and he was telling them that he was doing it
(05:51):
as a favor to them, but I think in reality,
he just wanted to get out of there. I was
really starting to worry because I saw something that's wrong.
Speaker 4 (06:00):
Levi and I talked about out would change our lives.
Speaker 10 (06:04):
But she was there beside me, and my love for him.
Speaker 3 (06:08):
Was just immense.
Speaker 10 (06:10):
When something feels different, it could be Alzheimer's. Now is
the time to talk. Visit alz dot org slash our
stories to learn more. A message from the Alzheimer's Association
and the ad Council.
Speaker 1 (06:26):
You're listening to what's going on. We welcome Sheriff Rochelle Balal,
(06:47):
the first African American woman elected sheriff in the city
of Philadelphia. She's joining us to talk about the upcoming
second deputy sheriff recruitment drive happening this summer in partnership
with a bunch of folks. I want to thank you
so much for joining us here today. Start by telling
us why the deputy sheriff recruitment drive is so important
(07:07):
right now.
Speaker 11 (07:07):
Oh, it's more than important. First of all, thank you
very much allowing us to have this conversation about what
we are doing here in the sheriff office and reference
to recruitment. We appreciate that the Philip Sheriff Office is
hosting a series of summer recruitment This is very important
because around the country, everybody is down in manpower law enforcement,
(07:31):
police sheriffs around the country, and because all the things
that happen to bring us to this point you're talking
about civil unrests and the pandemic. It seems like nobody
wants to be a sheriff or a police officer. So
it's very important that we get out in the community,
let them know what it is that we do, let
them know about this career that they can have in
(07:53):
becoming a sheriff. That's what we're doing. It's very important,
and we are working around the clock and around this
they get this done.
Speaker 1 (08:01):
What are some qualities you're looking for in candidates and
what should applicants expect from the hiring process.
Speaker 11 (08:07):
Well, we're looking for those that are eager to start
their career or for those who are experienced that want
to move from another law enforcement agency to the sheriff's office.
What we need in them physical agility. They need to
be able to be physically fit. They need to be
able to pass a background check. That means we're gonna
(08:29):
check out your background, social media, anything that you have
done in your life in the past ten years. We
need to look at that. We're not going to say
that you're not gonna make it through, we just need
to look at it. We also looking for those that
are mentally capable of doing this job, because being a
sheriff is not an easy job. It's a rewarding job.
(08:51):
So we're gonna look at those things. When we say
physically fit, they can go up on our website right
underneath the recruitment application or right right underneath there. It
tells them what do you need to be physically fit
and reference to the sheriff, a reference to your age train.
Speaker 1 (09:07):
Also the upcoming event that is happening on Saturday, June
twenty first, from ten am to two pm at Sturdis Playground.
Is in partnership with several elected officials, and I wonder
if you can talk about the importance of collaboration in
recruitment and community trust.
Speaker 11 (09:25):
Well, it's collaboration with the elected officials up in that area,
but you don't have to live up in that area
to come to this. Pennsylvania Representative Anthony Bellman, State Representative
Derrisha Parker, and Senator Sharis Street are all our partners
in this. It's about building a safety team that reflects
the communities that we serve, a team that understands the
(09:50):
neighborhoods and cares about their future. Attendees will meet current deputies,
ask questions, and learn how to apply for the roll
of deputy sheriffs. They will get all of that at
that meet and they will get me and I will
have a conversation with because I really need them to
think about the Sheriff's office as a career.
Speaker 1 (10:10):
I wonder if you can talk beyond employment, what does
a career in the sheriff's office offer to individuals looking
to make a difference.
Speaker 11 (10:18):
It offers everything that we have in this office. Basically,
you can be a deputy sheriff as court security. You
can be a deputy sheriff in the warrant unit that
is out there in the street serving warrants, trying to
get people off the street that have warrants that is
causing problems in our neighborhood. You can be a K
nine officer. You can be a bike unit person that
(10:40):
if you like bikes, we have that. You can be
our real estate department where you can be in there
learning about the real estate process and the shriff's cell process.
Or you can be in our civil unit. Our civil
unit a the ones that serve the paperwork on any foreclosure,
tax lian seals and they basically work all out community also,
(11:01):
so you have opportunities to be whatever it is that
you want to be.
Speaker 5 (11:05):
Ad.
Speaker 11 (11:06):
You can be in our community engagement because if you're
a person that likes to be in the community, we
like to be seeing, touch and felt for those citizens
of this city. And if you like being our community
to be part of our community outreach.
Speaker 1 (11:19):
How can a public support this initiative even if they're
not applying themselves.
Speaker 11 (11:24):
Call your family up or your brother, your sister, your cousins,
your nephew, your nieces, you got people coming out of
college right now and they're trying to figure out what
it is that they're going to do. This is an
opportunity to start off at a good salary, good benefits
as to do that. So if you don't want to
be you have family members, you know, you do, call
(11:46):
them up, tell them this is an opportunity and a
career that they can engage in being a deputy share
for the City of Philopia.
Speaker 1 (11:53):
So many opportunities in the Sheriff's office. And again, there
is an event that's happening on Saturday, June twenty first,
from ten am to two pm at Sturgis Playground, two
hundred West sixty fifth Avenue right here in Philadelphia. Tell
us where people can find out more information not only
about this event that's a recruitment event, but any further
(12:14):
recruitment events that happened throughout the summer.
Speaker 11 (12:16):
We got a few more recruitments events. We're going to
be having them all year, but this one is at Sturges.
You can go to phillyshriff dot com. We have those
flyers up there if you missed that one. We got
one June twenty eight. It happens to be my birthday,
and that's going to be the forty three hundred block
of North American Street. Come on out and apply for
deputy sheriff and come help me celebrate my birthday at
(12:38):
the same time. July to twelfth is another an event
that we're having out in Frankfurt Paul's Park, forty six
seventy three Paul Street, Philadufia. That's July to twelfth. We're
going to continue to have different events around this city
because at under this new administration, they are now advertised
(13:00):
SUREFF deputy recruitment more than just once a year. Prior
to this, it was only advertised once a year, and
I mean only put up on a city website, not radio,
not TV, not on the billboard, not on anything else.
Speaker 3 (13:17):
But at this point.
Speaker 11 (13:18):
It's on everything. So coing out to our recruitment job
and make sure you let your family know. Go to
Phillyshriff dot com and talk them into it. I got
mothers called me, can my son do yes? Let me
walk them through the process. Come be a deputy sheriff.
It's rewarding.
Speaker 1 (13:36):
Well, it sounds like you're trying to do everything you
can to make this a process that people can be
accessible for and there are so many opportunities to check
out whether or not you want to join the Sheriff's
office to become a deputy Sheriff. I want to thank
you so much, Sheriff Rochelle Blah, the first African American
woman the elected sheriff in the city of Philadelphia. Thank
you so much for joining us here today, and hopefully
(13:59):
listeners out there will take this opportunity to check out
the website or go to one of the many events
that you're offering all throughout the year. Thank you so
much for joining us today.
Speaker 11 (14:08):
And thank you so much for having us. We appreciate you.
Speaker 1 (14:21):
Today we're joined by Kelly Richards, President and Director of
the Free Library of Philadelphia, and Monique Moore, prior president
of the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation. They're here to
talk about how the library system is evolving to meet
the needs of the city, its role in civic life,
and how you can get involved in shaping the future
(14:41):
through community driven initiatives like the Summer of Wonder and
the Library Strategic Planning Process. I know for me the
library was a sanctuary, and I know for so many
young people and community members, libraries are a community hub,
and let's talk about the big picture. How do you
both see the role of libraries evolving, especially in a
(15:04):
city like Philadelphia.
Speaker 12 (15:06):
That's a great question.
Speaker 13 (15:07):
Libraries are a vital hub and every neighborhood, every community,
each neighborhood, library is a place where people can go
and it inspires their curiosity. It's a place where they
can go connect with the community. You know, it's a
place where it empowers them. It gives them a direction
(15:29):
and a focus in their lives. So libraries they grow
as community grows, as things change in our society. Libraries
meet those needs. So libraries are such an important place.
Speaker 1 (15:43):
Monika, just to follow up on that question, I know
that the libraries have evolved so much. It's not simply
that you go in and you check out some books.
You can go in and go to the computers and
create a resume, or go job hunting, or you can
rent games, you can pet pet animals from the zoo.
I've been to some of those events where zoo animals
(16:05):
have been there for my kids to pet. So libraries
clearly are evolving and have evolved and will continue to evolve. Again,
can you answer that question talking about the future and
the evolution of libraries.
Speaker 12 (16:19):
Yes, I love that you brought up the pets because
in one of our libraries we do have a beehive
that's inside the library and the bees. It just goes
through so many changes and kids come in are just
in awe. So yes, there are more. It starts with books.
It begins with books, but we're meeting the needs of
(16:40):
other citizens. Kelly and his team does an amazing job.
You similar to when I was growing up meeting the need.
It's in a generational So when I grew up, it
was where I went after school until my mother came
home from work to pick me up and I could
talk to my local grandmoms who adopted me. But today
that still continues vital hubs for learning and culture and
(17:02):
career support. As you mentioned, there's a statistic that states
that eighty percent of adults go to the library to
access their government benefits, so they're using the computer. Like
you said, Kelly has stated the art equipment in the
libraries with the support of the City of Philadelphia and
some funders that helped us with that. So the games
(17:26):
that was a new addition under Kelly's leadership. We know
our youth and even some young adults older adults are
into video games, and it's a way to bring them
into the library, and so they come, can rent these games,
can stay and play. But most times when I visit
and to our library, I do see, Yeah, everyone's dashing
(17:46):
for the state of the art computers, whether it's to
find a job or to play until it's time for
the students to go into tutoring after school.
Speaker 1 (17:56):
In the summer, when my son was young and with
his little friends, used to go to the library for
all the different events. And there's really no lack of things,
and you've got the Summer of Wonder with all kinds
of activities in all the different branches. Kelly, tell us
a little more about what that is. And I know
when I used to participate, there was a little sticker
(18:16):
book and if you checked out a book, you put
a little sticker in it, and then if you fill
the sticker book, then you got something for it. So
tell us a little more about what you have and
plan for this books.
Speaker 13 (18:27):
Still book that you can fill out, you know, for
the various programs that you participate in. But the Summer
and Wonder is a summer reading program or summer literacy
program to keep kids inspired during the summer months when
traditionally and you have that summer slide, you know, where
they'd lose some of the information that they gained through
(18:49):
the school year. But the Summer Wonder is a program
that we do which is a summer reading program that
happens nationally, but ours has been going on for over
one hundred years. You know, we're one of the oldest
libraries to do this, and it's just a fantastic family
orient and summer program to engage young people and families
with the library services, with reading, fun, very fun events,
(19:13):
programming efforts, and every programs you go to you get
like little credits for going to programs, you get credits
for reading books, coming to story times. It's just an
all inclusive, family oriented fund program that you get prizes,
you know, at different points in your booklet. It's one
of the greatest things that we do and the biggest
(19:34):
program that we do in the library throughout the year
that brings in the most that touches the most people,
and that's typically you know, any library that runs these
this major Summer of Wonder program money.
Speaker 1 (19:50):
One of the things that the library is doing, which
I think is wonderful is really getting the input of
the community to make sure that you meet the community
where it lives. You meet them and hear and listen.
You're in the midst of a citywide strategic planning process.
Can you walk us through how the public can participate
and why their voices matter.
Speaker 12 (20:10):
Yeah. So this is a real transformational time for all
kinds of institutions across the country. We are rethinking what
you know the library can be and is in other places,
and we want to hear from the community. There are
a number of town halls coming up. We can't move
forward the library and Kelly and his team can't meet
(20:31):
the needs of the public if we don't have the
public's input, and so some local town halls are coming up.
One it will be next week June sixteenth at the
Bock Building, Then do twenty three at Esperenza Arts Center,
July second at King Sexing Library and July sixteenth at
Parkway Central Library. The Strategic Plan which Pew Charitable Trusts
(20:56):
funded the strategic plan for the library and find theation.
We're so grateful for them. The public's input is important
and so we're using these funds to go into the
libraries and hear from the public about what they need
and how they can make a difference by meeting the
needs in the city. When we gather, we'll have public input.
Future funders. City council are elected officials who you know
(21:20):
Kelly puts forth his budget and you know the city
has a lot of needs. This type of input will
allow our elected officials as well as our donors and
funders that help bridge some of the gaps. Hear what
the public needs, and my team and Kelly seem can
strategize on how to meet those needs.
Speaker 1 (21:38):
Kelly, I've been around long enough to see the libraries
experience many crisis in terms of funding. We've been through
periods of time in which library branches we had the
threat of closing. But during those times, it seems as
those citizens would rise up and fight against that because
we know how important libraries are. So I wonder if
(22:01):
you can talk more about and actually Monique as well
about funding in the future. What are the challenges that
you experience and what are some ways that we can
support the library and why support is so crucial.
Speaker 13 (22:16):
City budgets are cyclicalt they go up, they go down.
But one of the things that I really feel good
about is this support that Mayor Parker and the Council
has put into the library. Our budget has increased significantly,
and with her plan for cleaner, greener, safer city with
(22:36):
economic opportunity for all, she sees the importance of education
and literacy and the importance of a library, and how
we integrate with our community college and our school districts
and charter schools, and she sees that synergy that's built
from these organizations working together. So we really appreciate that support.
(22:58):
With all that being said that you know, budgets are cyclical,
and you know the economy and the you know issues
we face from the federal level with the institute museums
and libraries. It is so important to support the Free
Library of Philadelphia Foundation as they add more value to
(23:20):
what's given to us in tax dollars to provide the
services that we do for each neighborhood library, and every
neighborhood library is different and the needs and each part
of our community is different, and we try to meet
those needs and when we can't, we really rely heavily
on the support of our donorbase and support of what
the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation can do for us
(23:42):
to add you know, I say it's like the instead
of like like the cherry on the cake. You know,
what the foundation gives us is the is the whipped
cream and chairy and it's so important to the foundation
and the cake that our councilor mayorts built very.
Speaker 1 (23:58):
Good and money. I'm going to give you the last word,
and I wonder if you can perhaps come up with
a kind of a vision for the future, because sometimes
we don't know what we don't know. In other words,
you know, the future, especially with new technology like quantum
computing and AI coming to for really disrupting our society
(24:23):
in so many different ways. I wonder if you can
talk more about the role that you see libraries are
as we move into this new era of technology and
social upheaval. To be honest with you, so tell us
a little more about what the vision you see for
the library and what role as a civic pillar of
(24:44):
our community. How does that fit in with that?
Speaker 12 (24:47):
Yeah, I love that question. You know, literacy, basic literacy
has different proms and so literacy reading levels are so important.
But then you you have health literacy, you have financial literacy,
and you also have digital literacy and the latter one,
we really need more investment in with AI. We know
(25:11):
that that is adding onto a bigger gap, a bigger
divide in those community that may not have the same
resources as others. And Kelly's librarians and librarians in Philadelphia,
I consider them jack of all trades. They are able
to help people find what they're looking for in the
(25:32):
library as well as on the computer. But now with
this increase in technology and digital technology, the Foundation is
helping fund programs to bring people in to to bridge
that digital divide. But this strategic plan, with the help
and the input of the community, UH will able to
(25:53):
share with our elected officials and private donors and may
Or Parker, you know all that they've done to invest
in the libraries, but there's even more we can do.
And so it's basically if literacy has a positive impact
on the economic development of any community, and when you
are more literate, literacy enhances the working capabilities of people
(26:16):
by providing them with skills and so having a library
that can pull people in, whether it's bridging digital literacy,
telling the community of how they can be a health
advocate for themselves, bringing them into the library, sharing with
them and upskilling them will have a positive impact on
the economic development of that community and the city at
(26:40):
large and safety. Right the more libraries we can keep
open and stay open, where our young people can go into,
have things to do, our aging population, keeping them healthy healthy.
We know loneliness is one of the major killers in
this country, and so going to the library, supporting all
all these avenues and creating more, creating what's called maker
(27:03):
spaces where you know, we can hopefully do podcasts in
a local library, where we can have gaming competitions. We
have we're promoting a gaming competition through the library right
now thanks to some funders at PCI, So there's infinite possibilities.
I know Kelly and I both have visited libraries across
the country. And while we know the city and elected officials,
(27:28):
Mayor Parker has done so much to put into our cities,
so much more that can be done, and we know
that the public's input in this strategic plan will help
us shape and navigate how to move forward and inform
those who want to invest in the city. At Philadelphia, well.
Speaker 1 (27:45):
I can say that I have a great affection for libraries.
That was my sanctuary once a week. I'd come home
with seven books, read them, come back get seven more.
And it was an absolute wonderful sanctuary for me. And
now libraries have it. It's reached in so many different
directions in ways that I would never have anticipated as
a kid growing up in my old neighborhood. And that's
(28:09):
where the Free Library is looking for all of our
listeners to participate. Go to FreeLibrary dot org or the
Freelibraryfoundation dot org to find out more about these town
hall meetings, and certainly if you've got some kids, you
want to check out the Summer of Wonder. It is
absolutely fantastic. I remember participating with my own son, Christopher
(28:29):
back in the day when he was a little guy,
and so I thank you both for all the work
that you do and what you're doing to grow the
library and evolve it into the next century. Kelly Richards,
President Director the Free Library of Philadelphia, Monique Moore, Prior,
President of the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation, thank you
(28:50):
both for joining us.
Speaker 12 (28:51):
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Speaker 13 (28:52):
I really appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (28:54):
You can listen to all of today's interviews by going
to our station website and typing in keyword community. You
can also listen on the iHeartRadio app key Words Philadelphia
Community Podcast. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram at Lorraine Ballard.
I'm Lorraine Ballard MOREL and I stand for service to
our community and media that empowers. What will you stand for?
(29:14):
You've been listening to what's going on, and thank you
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