Free Library of Philadelphia

When I was a student, I was constantly here. One of the big reasons were because it was open on Sundays and other libraries are closed.
Now if I want a book, all I do is reserve it online then they notify me. It’s really easy.
The architecture here is beautiful and if you have free time it is great to just explore.
One of the best parts of the library is the rare books section and it is worth taking a free tour.

Probably the only library in the immediate Delaware Valley open 7 days a week that isn’t on a college campus.
Vast selection, author events just about weekly, and they have a ton of regular programs to keep busy. Growing up, I always went to Teen Tuesday as I went to Hallahan right across the street (2006 – 2010).
No complaints.

One of the most well equipped and largest libraries I’ve been to. Its very clean and organized, plenty of seatings and chargers for a rest break while you’re in downtown Philadelphia. The location is perfect for tourists like me to get some time to relax in quiet. While I didn’t get to see how massive their collections of medias is given the fact they have a separate room just for music gives you an idea that you can find quite a lot here all for free.
Also there’s free wifi available with a bit of caviar that you be a PA resident, otherwise the library card that has wifi access is $ 50 an year. Even if you just stop for a quick break its definitely well worth your time to explore a bit in the library I thought. The building itself is quite historic very much like our public library in NYC and the location doesn’t get any better. Highly recommended during your visit to downtown Philly for a quick stop.

This happened yesterday. When I was at the reception desk in the philbrick hall. I had place my sunglasses on the desk and spoke with the man about an issue with my mother’s library card. Forgetting I left my sunglasses I went back in in a hurry to find them. The man didn’t even point out to me that I forgotten them on the desk, even when I walked out beforehand. He just watched me wonder around looking for them until I spotted it sitting behind the desk, besides him at the computer. They are $ 500 persol men’s glasses by Steve McQueen. I apologize if I sound paranoid, but it seem to me he did not want to return them to me. They get 1 star for being open on Sunday’s.

Public service at its finest.
From the comfort of my home, I can order virtually any book or movie I want, have it delivered to a location near my house for pickup, and if no one else is waiting for it, I can renew it as many times as I want until I’m done with it.
Oh, right, and this is all FREE.
The staff at the main branch (my home branch, so the only one I really ever use) is unfailingly polite and helpful. The building itself is a classic beauty and it’s open pretty long hours to accommodate people who work.
I haven’t used them yet, but they also have several child-​friendly storytimes/​activities for the little ones, and various classes/​workshops for us bigger kids. Again — it’s all free.
Yay for the library — one of the most under appreciated gems in the entire city.

Several weeks ago I had an unpleasant experience at the main branch in fair mount and wrote about my experience here on Unilocal.The free library then reached out to me to learn more about what had happened, and was extremely apologetic. We now visit the local library near independent hall and have had nothing but pleasant experiences. I take back my initial review because they are easily one of the best managed institutions in the city of Philadelphia!

Why you should visit:
–amazing architecture, landscaping, and the location of the building by all the museums and Logan Square is primary tourist locations
–it is clean inside and many people to help you find your way around
–the building has exhibits around the library
–the building as a café
–the best thing about this library are the other activities, workshops, and programs operating here to connect with the community and bring people together
–I’ve gone here for their poet’s series and attend a talk on «net neutrality» with leading experts. So cool!

I am rating the entire Free Library system here. I really love it. Philadelphia has a great set of libraries. I love how many there are and, with all branches considered, the breadth of options is large. Their online selection through Overdrive is also very good.
Sometimes you have to request a book get sent to you from somewhere far off and that can take a surprisingly long time, but really that’s just a convenience so you don’t have to drive.

Some of the most authentic Philadelphia food I’ve had outside Philadelphia. Incredibly good value for money to boot…

It’s not every day, you get to meet Hillary Clinton.
Hillary was in town for a book signing and this was my first introduction to the Free Library of Philadelphia. This event was (you guessed it, free) and I’m so glad that I went. I was a little bit concerned with the long line, but the attentive staff and volunteers assured us that everyone would get to meet her. Very nice day.
I gave my email address and have since been sent the events that go on here. I’m so glad that I did! They have some very interesting lectures and authors that come to town. Make sure you go check it out. You’ll be stimulated not only by the person you’re going to see or by the books, but by the beauty!

This is a cool building.
Any kind of book you need this place won’t disappoint.
The workers there knew exactly where to send me and I thank them for that.

I am not sure my more people don’t frequent this library as it is often empty in there. Their selection is comprehensive and varied and I always look forward to returning to this location.
Their staff is also helpful, especially the person who works in the History books department.

Love the Central Library! It’s Beaux Arts building is beautiful. The book selection is good. There are so many resources here-​nonprofit, employment, rare books to name a few. The children’s section is separate so kids can talk without disturbing anyone. The people who work here are friendly and helpful. The adult summer reading program is a great incentive to read!

I love this library. The staff is very friendly. The building is gorgeous. I like that you can return your books at ANY free library. Their online system makes it really easy to renew your books or place holds. I love this place!

Philadelphia is a broken city, but this library is pretty top-​notch. They have new technology, selection of items (especially with its amazing Overdrive online media collection), and most of all, architecture. It is reminiscent of Los Angeles’ Central Library in downtown. The walls, ceilings, stairs, and arrangement of books are such a throwback to the long-​forgotten days of childhood bookworms. There are many speakers, workshops, and programs for audiences of all ages. The youth program is thriving, any much-​needed in this city, especially. I would not like to imagine Philadelphia without its main library.
I highly recommend this as a tourist or visitor’s site. It’s not just a library, it’s a major part of city history.

The Central Library reminds me of olden times when literature was considered to be a corner stone of reformation and revolution. I have spent many a lazy Saturday afternoons here browsing through books, studying or just relaxing with a good read. The architecture is amazing inside and outside. The spacious layout and high ceilings make for a fantastic ambience.
I have had no difficulty asking for help from a librarian or finding a book. There are a few homeless dudes hanging around but it IS cold outside right now and I saw a few of them were actually reading.
All in all I love this space and am going to be visiting often.

The library is suffering from major cut backs yet they still manage to do an excellent job and have quite friendly and helpful staff.
Let’s start with the rare book library on the 3^rd floor. What a special hidden gem. They give free tours every weekday — some Saturdays too I think. The librarians leading the tours are a fountain of knowledge about the history of printed language. It is fascinating. I bring all of my out of town guests here and they love it.
Check out the prints and photographs room on the second floor. My friends and I were browsing the other day and the librarian approached us, asked if we had seen their collection of antique picture viewing gadgets and spent the next half hour showing us some of the coolest collections of drawing and photographs. Forget the stereotype of the stuffy, unapproachable librarian. This woman rocks.
In the main reading room on the first floor, librarians have been very helpful with book suggestions and with tracking down material. I just find it an overall pleasant experience each time I come here. The architecture is lovely and inspiring as well.
They have a packed schedule of author events. Some are free, others are $ 15. Many tend to sell out, and it makes me happy that they are so well attended. I love this library and think I am going to start volunteering here. They could use all the help they can get given funding cutbacks and reduced staffing.

I’ve been to the Central Library quite a few times over the past few years, and aside from its beautiful old building, I’ve never been too impressed. Inside the beautiful architecture its nothing but your ordinary library, just bigger.
This afternoon while visiting I sat down with a book and had been reading for just a few minutes when a librarian approached and asked for my age. Apparently I was reading teen fiction in the teen section, and if you aren’t a teen here than apparently this is a problem. Another gentleman engaged in a book sitting across from me was also asked to move from this otherwise empty area. The worker was friendly enough, but had that «you should know better» tone, as if this were common practice. Since my primary reason for visiting the library was to read some graphic novels, which aren’t just for kids despite the prevalent stereotype, I wasted little time in returning the book to its shelf and leaving. What good are this library’s vast resources when those not within a certain age group are discouraged from using them?

The FLOP is my new jam. Came here to get the books that were checked out for freaking ever at Penn’s main library. I’m going here first from now on.
FLOP has everything: all your best sellers, all your classic faves, DVDs up the wazoo, passages upon passages of majestic library spaces.
Most of the guests are respectful of noise and personal space. Much more so than pesky undergrads at my other library.
Alas, since it’s right next to the homeless feeding mecca along Logan Square lots of homeless dudes. And with summer break, plenty of young hooligans. So watch your stuff.
Easy to navigate with help from the librarians ready to assist you at every corner. Although they are a bit awkward when you interrupt them from their computer-​staring-​contests. Human interaction isn’t something librarians become librarians for I suppose.

I absolutely am a true lover of libraries… i always make it a point to visit them. Always — –
Beautiful, historic, expansive Logan Square — -close to the Fine Art Museum, Franklin Institute, and wonderful hotels.
There is going on the ONE BOOK ONE PHILADELPHIA campaign featuring Buddha in the Attic (i own her When the Emperor was Divine). The staircase, angles, light… awww. Special collections here that one can tour — -
Philbrick Hall is now open: a new wing open for new books and teen/​youth section. H.O.M.E page Café (minimal) inside that has sandwiches, cookies, pastries, coffee…
Amazing
PS Anyone spot Dickens’s stuffed raven, Grip? On perm display, methinks.

One of the best things about Philly is the FLP. Here are six reasons.
1. Holds for books, recordings, etc. Want a book that is not available at your branch? No problem. Submit your request for a hold online or in the branch. You can have the requested book delivered to any branch you choose. You choose how you want to be notified — by e-​mail or by telephone.
2. Interlibrary loans for books, etc. That wanted book is not available through FLP? Maybe another library — free or college — has it in their system. Maybe you can access that book from another library. Note: depending on the book/​item, there can be a fee involved here. Usually not, but sometimes other libraries will require fines, etc. Also make sure you get this borrowed stuff back before or on the due date: extra fees for late items. Bad form because the stuff is not OURS.
3. Free Internet access on library computers.
4. Free annotated job search information — beyond books — free workshops, online resources, job fairs.
5. DVDs and recordings — free.
6. Online access to your account. Can’t return that book on time? Avoid fees by logging into your FLP account via the Internet at home or at work. Some items can be renewed as many as three times. Note: this can be altered if another patron has a hold for the item due back. Or you can call in your request for an extension.
7. Beautiful architecture and interesting exhibits.
These are only a few of the services the FLP offers to its patrons.
Usually, the librarians and other staff are pleasant and/​or helpful. Guess what? They are human, too. Sometimes they’ll have bad days. Sometimes you might encounter them at those times. Let it roll.
Sometimes other patrons will dirty a book. Wince, roll your eyes, and let that go. Remember the words «free» and «public.» The FLP cannot monitor every patron at every minute. Nasty hairs and stains, folded or torn pages will be in books. If the damage is extensive, the FLP will stamp that book as «damaged.»
The worst thing I find about this library is that there often are a LOT of smelly patrons. Possibly homeless or possibly inconsiderate. I feel as though I am a bad person to write that, but I think it needs saying. If I am checking the stacks, well, that’s a passing problem. If I am on the computer though, it leaves me tense and irritable. Given my way in this matter, I would have every pungent person zapped through a de-​funk cycle before entering. Alas, that is not likely to ever happen.
Overall, the FLP offers many and excellent quality services. Appreciate the good parts and shrug off the small annoyances.