We are deeply grateful to Mayor Kenney for increasing the Free Library’s budget this fiscal year. The increase allowed the Free Library to hire additional staff and will ensure that all neighborhood and regional libraries are open six days a week beginning on Saturday, September 21.* Parkway Central Library, the system’s largest, remains open seven days a week.

Assisting Philadelphians of all ages and backgrounds in their own communities provides the necessary hyper-local context for the Free Library’s mission of advancing literacy, guiding learning, and inspiring curiosity. The administration’s recognition of the critical services that the Library provides means so much to me personally, to staff, and to the customers we serve every day.

The Free Library plays a pivotal role in helping people find employment, as we are one of the largest providers of free internet and Wi-Fi in Philadelphia. We provide a safe and educational environment for our children afterschool with LEAP, on weekends with Literacy Lab, and during the hot out-of-school days with summer reading programming. Additionally, we make our broad range of resources—from world language materials to small business information—available to everyone in the city.  We must also thank the community of Free Library supporters, including the Friends of the Free Library of Philadelphia, for their unwavering support during the budget process for increased hours. The Free Library of Philadelphia is open and ready to serve!

Note: *Haddington Library will be closed for building maintenance and facility improvements through early October 2019, and Roxborough Library will be closed through September 27 for building improvements.