Free Library of Philadelphia

Book signings, special lectures and even wine tastings take place in this great “more than books ” institution housing over 6 million items for your exploring pleasure.

Stop by our Rare Book Department at 11 a.m. any weekday for a tour , and you’ll see something amazing: a cuneiform tablet dating back several thousand years.

Did you know there's a cafe that serves Starbucks coffee & Metropolitan Bakery baked goods right inside the library ? It's to the right of the staircase on the first floor & profits help the homeless!

What an amazing library ! Business/entrepreneurship center, musical instrument lending, culinary literacy center, teen library , senior center … A+

Experience Vicki Cobb's One Woman Science Show, an entertaining, fast-paced show inviting the audience to discover science in the world around them through illusions and challenges. 4/28, 2pm Read more

Beer garden on the rooftop in summer amazing view .

Go towards Logan Square in front of the Free Library to see the ‘Shakespeare Memorial’ by Alexander Stirling Calder. It shows comedy and tragedy with characters from ‘As You Like It’ and ‘Hamlet.’

Thousands and thousands of books to choose from. There are plenty of activities and workshops as well .

Meet New York Times bestselling author Archer Mayor on Wednesday, November 6, 2013 at 7:30 PM as he reads from his new mystery novel Three Can Keep a Secret, from the Joe Gunther series. Read more

The PHLASH trolley runs Fri, Sat & Sun from 10-6 pm May-October 28, 2012. Just head to stops 5 or 15, buy a $2 ticket & you'll be on your way to seeing more of Philadelphia's attractions and museums . Read more

Amazing place inside. Likely to have whatever you need to read up on. Has free WiFi but need to ask about how to use it.

Did you know? Librarians + staff handle more than 3 million reference questions each year. And that the Parkway Central Library features the first green roof on any City building in Philadelphia. Read more

It's a free library . What can't you like? The rooftop event space has a great view

The Author Events offer the opportunity to engage in dialogue with some of today’s most influential authors. Speakers have included Umberto Eco, Harry Belafonte, Jeffrey Eugenides and Jennifer Egan. Read more

I like going here. Don't love it but have come to appreciate it. The lower level renovations have really made it nice.

So much information and awesome architecture

If you're a student at CCP, sometimes it's best use the computers here if the labs are full back at the campus.

Meet Pulitzer Prize winning author Michael Cunningham on Thursday, May 22, 2014 at 7:30 PM as he reads from his new novel The Snow Queen. Read more

Book signing April 20: Join Wayne Pacelle, the CEO and President of The Humane Society of the United States , in celebrating the debut of The Bond: Our Kinship with Animals, Our Call to Defend Them. Read more

Donald Fagen promoting his new book . Pictures. Will post as he appears. He is the best! The Creelwoman

Meet Pulitzer Prize-winning author Marilynne Robinson on Tuesday, October 21, 2014 at 7:30 PM as she reads from her new novel Lila. Read more

Meet National Book Award-winning author Alice McDermott on Thursday, December 5, 2013 at 7:30 PM as she reads from her new novel Someone. Read more

The building is historic, therefore amazing beautiful. I just hope the city continues to respect this important architectural artifact . Read more

Check out the Green Roof if you can. Our city is 4th in the nation in square footage of Green Roofs .

The Free Library of Philadelphia keeps its doors open until 9:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Must See: Movie Lobby Cards from the 1930s to the 1960s Exhibition in the Rare Book Department. Read more

Meet filmmaker John Waters on Friday, June 13, 2014 at 7:30 PM as he reads from his new memoir Carsick. Read more

Looking for grant and fundraising information? Access Foundation Center resources, including Foundation Directory Online Professional, for FREE at this location!

Meet Ishmael Beah on Friday, January 24, 2014 at 7:30 PM as he reads from his debut novel Radiance of Tomorrow. Read more

check out Philbrick Hall it's been completely renovated and the rest of the library will follow suit

Don't ask for assistance at any of the information desks - they'll look at you like you have "some nerve!"

So much here, wish I had a library like this where I live!

Staff is a mixed bag. Some are friendly , a few are strange and a couple are holier than thou.

Utilize the cafe whenever you can.

The hotdog vender on the corner has good hotdogs

Staff at registration desk seemed more interested in looking t their computer than helping me sign up as a new member. :(

Return your borrowed items on time.

Independence Visitor Center staff is available Thursdays from noon to 4:00 p.m.

Fabulous Dickens exhibits on display thru March!

Charge your laptop before you come as outlets are scarce.

Seed exchange Wed night.

Come before 5pm if you want to take out children's lit research books .

The old dude in the popular library desk is a grump!

Try to return your books on time. It isn't a 10 cent fine. More like a $100 fine. Yikes!!!

Sundays on stage is great for kids

Not an ideal place to study, if that's what you're looking for. Very few outlets.

Read a book

Check out the Author Series here.

Good luck finding an outlet.

Mom works here tryin to come but I'm busy