Why go
Free Library of Philadelphia earns time because it offers a working civic library that also rewards visitors interested in books and architecture. Its central thread is Beaux-Arts architecture, public reading rooms and deep rare-book, map and music collections. Julian Abele's design gives the main stair and ceremonial rooms a strong civic scale. Special collections range from medieval manuscripts to maps and Edgar Allan Poe material.
What to look for
- Julian Abele's design gives the main stair and ceremonial rooms a strong civic scale.
- Special collections range from medieval manuscripts to maps and Edgar Allan Poe material.
The full story
Free Library of Philadelphia is best understood through Beaux-Arts architecture, public reading rooms and deep rare-book, map and music collections. The Free Library of Philadelphia is the public library system that serves Philadelphia. It is the tenth-largest public library system in the United States by number of volumes held. Unique among public libraries in the United States, it is neither a city agency or nonprofit organization; instead, it is governed by both an independent city agency managed by its own board of directors and a separate nonprofit organization, The Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation. The Free Library of Philadelphia was chartered in 1891 as "a general library which shall be free to all," through efforts led by Dr. William Pepper, who secured initial funding through a $225,000 bequest from his wealthy uncle, George S. Pepper. However, several libraries claimed the bequest, and only after the courts decided the money was intended to found a new public library did the Free Library finally open in March 1894. Its first location was three cramped rooms in City Hall. On February 11, 1895, the Library was moved to the old Concert Hall at 1217-1221 Chestnut Street.
Useful to know
- Check special-collection and tour access separately from ordinary library hours.
- Use the building as a quieter pause between the Parkway museums and Logan Square.
Your next visit
Estimated · Declared scenario and planning estimates; no live opening, weather, queue or booking service.
Indoor visit · 30–60 min
World planning estimate; admission, opening, visit duration and access need checking.