Science and Wellness

Wednesday, March 17 – Message from Staff

The contents of Automobile Reference Collection have been transferred to the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) Library & Research Center and the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum.

For reference assistance and inquiries about materials formerly held at the Free Library, call the AACA Library at (717) 534-2082, visit their website, or contact librarian Jennifer Wolfe at jwolfe@aaca.org. To contact the Simeone Foundation Library, use this online form.

Tuesday, May 16 – Message from Staff

Come and check out our To-Go and Grow Free Seed Library!

Housed in old card catalogues, the Seed Library offers vegetable, fruit, herb, and flower seeds. Learn about the process of cultivation and the benefits of gardening.

We would like to acknowledge our donations from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, Burpee Seed Co., High Mowing Organic Seeds, Hudson Valley Seed Co., Seed Savers Exchange, and Southern Seed Exchange!

1901 Vine Street, Room 202
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Open today 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday Closed
Monday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday Closed

Upcoming Closures

  • Mon., Oct. 9 : Closed Indigenous Peoples' Day
  • Sat., Nov. 11 : Closed Veterans Day
  • Thu., Nov. 23 : Closed Thanksgiving Day
  • Mon., Dec. 25 : Closed Christmas Day
View all holiday closings

Upcoming Events

Urban Riding Basics

Mon, September 25, 2023 6:00 P.M.

Learn how to ride safely in a city! Led by the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, Indego, the Better Bike Share Partnership and The City of Philadelphia, this workshop will cover: •…

Sew What?! Afternoon Sewcial-Needle Crafts

Wed, September 27, 2023 2:00 P.M.

Sew What?! Is a clever and creative get together for crafters who do crochet, knitting, sewing, embroidery, quilting, felting, and more.  Want to share what you're making with other…

Sew What?! Evening Sewcial-Needle Crafts

Thu, September 28, 2023 5:00 P.M.

Sew What?! Is a clever and creative get together for crafters who do crochet, knitting, sewing, embroidery, quilting, felting, and more.  Want to share what you're making with other…

Sew What?! Afternoon Sewcial-Needle Crafts

Wed, October 4, 2023 2:00 P.M.

Sew What?! Is a clever and creative get together for crafters who do crochet, knitting, sewing, embroidery, quilting, felting, and more.  Want to share what you're making with other…

The collection in the Science & Wellness Department (S&W) covers a diverse group of subjects including medical, health, and parenting materials.

The mechanically minded searching for appropriate "how-to" guides can also find assistance in this department, as well as works on engineering, the sciences, computers, and technology.

S&W also offers a large cookbook collection dedicated to the late Julie Dannenbaum.

We are home to a Free Seed Library that distributes vegetable, fruit, herb, and flower seeds to promote health and gardening.

You can also find material about personal finance, consumer information, and pets. Come say hi to our resident fish Cyan Whale-Ness in his Aquaponics home where you can learn about Eco-Systems.