AUTHOR STEVE LOPEZ TO HELP KICK OFF ONE BOOK, ONE PHILADELPHIA'S SEVENTH SEASON

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) January 9, 2009 -- Event-filled Evening at the Parkway Central Library Includes Performance
by Members of the Philadelphia Chamber Orchestra, Book Signings and Lectures

WHO:
• Steve Lopez, Author of the One Book, One Philadelphia featured selection, The Soloist; former Philadelphia Inquirer columnist
• Chris Cashman, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Independence Blue Cross
• Bill Sasso, Chair, Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation Board of Directors
• Marie Field, Chair, One Book, One Philadelphia

• Linda E. Johnson, CEO, Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation
• Siobhan A. Reardon, President & Director, Free Library of Philadelphia
• Members of the Philadelphia Chamber Orchestra

WHAT: One Book, One Philadelphia Kick-Off Event

WHEN: Wednesday, January 14, 7:15 p.m.

WHERE: Parkway Central Library, Montgomery Auditorium
1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103

On January 14, the Free Library of Philadelphia will launch its seventh season of One Book, One Philadelphia (OBOP) at the Parkway Central Library. The event will commence with a performance by members of the Philadelphia Chamber Orchestra and will follow with a lecture and book signing by Steve Lopez, author of this year's featured reading selection, The Soloist.

On Thursday, January 15, Lopez will visit Lillian Marrero Branch in West Kensington (601 W. Lehigh Avenue; 215-685-9794) for a special teen event at 1:00 p.m. Teens will have a chance to learn about The Soloist first-hand in addition to participating in a book signing event.

One Book, One Philadelphia runs from January 14 through March 19, 2009 and will host hundreds of events with its partners at library branches and arts and culture organizations. All Free Library locations have copies of The Soloist, as well as the two companion books, The Double Life of Zoe Flynn and A Chance to Shine, for teens and younger children, respectively. For more information and a schedule of events visit: http://libwww.freelibrary.org/onebook/obop09/index.cfm.

One Book, One Philadelphia is an annual program designed to promote reading, literacy and libraries, and to encourage the entire greater Philadelphia area to come together through reading and discussing a single book.

One Book, One Philadelphia is sponsored for the seventh consecutive year by lead sponsor Independence Blue Cross.

NOTE TO ASSIGNMENT DESKS/PHOTOGRAPHERS: One Book, One Philadelphia offers hundreds of photo opportunities in neighborhoods throughout the city. Contact us for a listing of top events.

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With more than six million visits annually, the Free Library is one of the most widely-used educational and cultural institutions in Philadelphia.

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