Item Info
Media Type: Photographic Prints
Source: Print and Picture Collection
Notes:
In 1914, the South Philadelphia Branch became the 16th branch of the Free Library to be built with funds donated by Andrew Carnegie. This 1914 interior view shows the main reading room and circulation desk. Through the archway is the children's section, which doubled as a lecture room that could seat 250 people. The basement originally consisted of a staff room, kitchen, classroom, magazine room, storage, and two toilets.
In 1965, the branch relocated to a new building at Broad & Morris Streets, and this building became the Ritner Children’s Library. In 1999, it was incorporated into an adjoining community center as a multi-purpose room. As of 2010, this building has been part of the Philadelphia Performing Arts Charter School's east campus.
[It should be noted that the library building at the new location, at Broad & Morris, was demolished in 2014; and in 2016, in partnership with CHOP, the City of Philadelphia, and the Free Library, a new building that combines health, recreational, and literacy services was opened on the same site, becoming the South Philadelphia Health and Literacy Center, incorporating the new South Philadelphia Library branch.]
The South Philadelphia Branch serves the north central area of South Philadelphia.
Creation Year: 1914
Geocode Latitude: Geocode Longitude:-75.170246
Geocode Latitude:39.920224
Creator Name: Rau, William Herman, 1855-1920 - Photographer