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Free Library of Philadelphia


1901 Vine St.
Philadelphia , PA 19103
215-686-5322
Neighborhood: Rittenhouse Square
Handicap access: Wheelchair
Help us make this site useful-- to citizens and the city.  When posting, be as concrete as possible, whether your review is positive or negative. Try to include:

-Date and details of experience.
-Was your situation resolved?
-What do you wish someone had told you before you dealt with the department?
-If the city offered to correct the situation, what would you tell them they’d have to do?

Use your real name if you can.  (Or let us know how to reach you.)  We follow up on many of the reviews posted here to write stories. Also, the city often asks us to help them reach people to resolve their problem.

Complaints about specific employees should be directed to their departments. We reserve the right to edit or remove profane, abusive, or unhelpful reviews.

Have a suggestion for how to make City Howl better? Call the hotline at (215) 854 5307 or email dmerrell@philly.com.
Style: Help us make this site useful-- to citizens and the city.  When posting, be as concrete as possible, whether your review is positive or negative. Try to include:

-Date and details of experience.
-Was your situation resolved?
-What do you wish someone had told you before you dealt with the department?
-If the city offered to correct the situation, what would you tell them they’d have to do?

Use your real name if you can.  (Or let us know how to reach you.)  We follow up on many of the reviews posted here to write stories. Also, the city often asks us to help them reach people to resolve their problem.

Complaints about specific employees should be directed to their departments. We reserve the right to edit or remove profane, abusive, or unhelpful reviews.

Have a suggestion for how to make City Howl better? Call the hotline at (215) 854 5307 or email dmerrell@philly.com.
Hours: Mon.-Wed. 9 am-9 pm; Thu.-Fri. 9 am-6 pm; Sat. 9 am-5 pm; Sun. 1 pm-5 pm
10 User reviews | Post a review
Reviews
04:17 PM, 09/28/2009
Not a bad system. Employees need hospitality training
Having actually worked in the Library system for about a year, and dealing with them from time to time; The Library services aren't that bad. But, on the whole, the Librarian Assistants, and the Librarians need some hospitality training. I remember when I worked at the central library, most of the people I worked with had a certain sense of entitlement. The usual demeanor of the library worker is "why are you bothering me for help?" They never came out and said this, but it was apparent. The actual services that the library provides is definitely a positive for the community, and the libraries would be sorely missed. I just think the Librarians should be way more helpful, and smile from time to time.
Posted by gtown_teach
11:15 PM, 10/18/2009
The only decent part of goverment
and the city keeps trying its hardest to shut it down. probably tired of being shown up by this department.
Posted by jhchang
04:49 PM, 10/25/2009
Always helpful- Wonderful Resource for Parents
I have used the library for over 20 years to help my daughters succeed in school. For the two who needed extra reading help, I would bring home different books every week. I download the audiobooks from their website and my oldest uses the online databases to help prepare for the SATs. I have also made use of the FREE afterschool program 1 day a week and my daughter makes beautiful crafts.
Posted by cielkay
09:56 PM, 11/04/2009
great resource
The library is one of the few city services that works well. There are ample libraries in the city. The book selections are great, new books are present all the time. They have a computerized system that allows you to renew books as well as place holds on books. And you actually receive them quickly. Plus they have story time for kids. I can't say enough good things about the library system. It's one of the few good things the city has to offer these days.
Posted by phillylady3
11:08 AM, 04/08/2010
Great system
I must admit, the free Library is one of the best advantages to living in Philadelphia.
Posted by Just Some Guy33
04:32 PM, 05/19/2010
Self-checkout and afterhours dropboxes
How come the Walnut Street West branch has self-checkout and afterhours drop boxes yet the main branch doesn't? It seems the main branch/Central Library should be the leader of modern technology.
Posted by kliffee
12:05 PM, 09/14/2010
Nevermind
Thanks! The new self-checkout system at the Main Branch is awesome!!
Posted by kliffee
12:49 AM, 01/16/2011
Mixed reviews
Terrible customer service at several branches, Lovett in Mt Airy being the most egregious, plus very little programming, and leaking, moldy children's section. Maybe current closure will rectify these issues. Otherwise, we'll continue to utilize the Chestnut Hill branch. Great for patrons of all ages, esp kids. Bring back Miss Kate, please!
Posted by supergrover
05:02 PM, 04/17/2011
Loving our libraries
When you've fallen on hard times, as so many more of us have over the past few years, a widespread, unprejudiced, community-oriented AND edifying public support network is a godsend. Such a thing is like a tonic for the sick - it doesn't have to CURE anything, but it should make life feel more like it is worth living, more sociable and therefore more HOPEFUL... ... And look! We already have exactly that: our FREE LIBRARY of PHILADELPHIA System !! I have come to use the library's electronic access "portal" a lot, because I am lucky to possess resources to buy just the low-end DSL internet access (thru Verizon.net). I can even watch library films by downloading them, and I can read e-books online. The statewide & more Interlibrary Loan system is there (we can reach FAR BEYOND even our city's extensive collections!). The Free Library has added services made for mobile phone users. It has year 'round events for all ages & interests such as film showings, talks, readings, etc. There is 24/7 (i think) text support from a live actual librarian - a live IM kind of exchange such as a research Q+A, assistance for your library card account, city info, much more. The libraries have so much to offer that I cannot begin to describe all of it - it is worth far more than we spend on it from our tax assessments, in my humble opinion (IMHO). I hope readers of this 'review' enjoy it, too!
Posted by BillMarston
04:28 PM, 07/24/2011
I know an employee who steals
Mary Dawn Silva at the Tioga Nicetown Branch steals, household bathroom items, chips, paper towel, cleaning chemicals, movies, books, toilet scrubbers, you name it! She's a guard there and she locks up alone and no one is the wiser! Smh.
Posted by Krissistarr