Independence Library
18 S. 7th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(7th Street between Market & Chestnut)
215-685-1633
Open today until 8:00 p.m.
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday | 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. |
| Thursday | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
| Friday | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Saturday | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
Upcoming Closures
- Sat., Nov. 11 : Closed Veterans Day
- Thu., Nov. 16 : Opening at 2:00 PM Due to staff development.
- Thu., Nov. 23 : Closed Thanksgiving Day
- Thu., Dec. 21 : Opening at 2:00 PM Due to staff development.
- Mon., Dec. 25 : Closed Christmas Day
Facilities
- Bicycle rack
- Book drop box
- Computers for public use
- Handicapped accessible
- Meeting space (reservation required)
- Photocopier (black/white)
- Printing (black/white)
- Public restrooms
- Screen-reading software (JAWS)
- Self-service checkout
- Street parking (metered)
- Water fountain
- Wireless internet access (wi/fi)
Upcoming Events
Intelligent by Design Nonfiction Book Group
Mon, Oct 23, 6:00 P.M.
Do you enjoy reading? We read critically acclaimed nonfiction old and new. All readers welcome. All meetings are Monday evenings at 6:00…
Toddler Storytimes with Miss Margaret
Tue, Oct 24, 10:30 A.M.
For children ages 1 to 4 years with parent/caretaker. Celebrate the change of seasons and multicultural holidays!
TWEEN HALLOWEEN PARTY!
Wed, Oct 25, 4:00 P.M.
Scary Students (1st thru 8th grade) are invited to a horribly fun TWEEN HALLOWEEN PARTy! Join us for terribly tasty treats and horrific games!
Let’s Speak English! | For International Adults
Wed, Oct 25, 5:00 P.M.
Join us for a weekly conversation hour and build your confidence in speaking English. Topics may include: small talk, holidays, customs, and…
The Wagner Free Institute of Science presents: The Cosmos: A History of Modern Astronomy by Professor Darin Hayton.
Wed, Oct 25, 6:15 P.M.
When astronomers in the early 17th century turned the newly-invented telescope at the heavens, they saw things people had never seen before. These…
Good Fiction Book Group
Mon, Oct 30, 6:00 P.M.
Do you enjoy reading? We read critically acclaimed fiction old and new. All readers welcome. All meetings are Monday evenings at 6:00 p.m.…
About
Named for its proximity to Independence National Park, this branch serves people who live in Society Hill, Old City, Queen Village, Washington Square West, and Chinatown. Independence Branch also houses the Barbara Gittings Gay/Lesbian Collection.
History
For almost thirty years, residents of the eastern part of Center City had been asking for a branch. In 1997, the East Philadelphia Coalition for a Free Library Branch was formed. The coalition's carefully planned and well-presented case enabled the library to successfully persuade City Council to fund a new branch library serving residents in Society Hill, Old City, Chinatown, Washington Square West, and Queen Village.
Space for the new branch was found in what was then the Balch Institute for Ethnic Studies. Architect Ignatius Wang led the renovation of the former exhibit space into a library. Meanwhile, representatives from the communities served on a fundraising committee to raise money to build the library collection. The names of the major donors are currently listed on a Chinese moon gate at the library.
Independence Branch opened on February, 28, 2001. The library serves as a community center for Chinatown and the other nearby neighborhoods. The name "Independence" recognizes the proximity to Independence National Historic Park.
The children's area features a mural of changing seasons by Jing-Xiang Liang, and also a multicolored carpet, which is a tribute to the architect's favorite children's book, Elmer the Multicultural Elephant.
Facts about the neighborhoods served by Independence Branch:
- Society Hill is the southern portion of the original settlement by the Free Society of Traders in 1681.
- Old City was the city's first commercial district. The area includes Elfreth's Alley, the oldest continuous residential street in America.
- Chinatown's first residents arrived in the mid-1840's, and the first business was established in 1850. Today's Chinatown is the cultural and commercial hub for Asian-Americans in Philadelphia.
- Washington Square is one of the original squares laid out by William Penn. The Unknown Soldier from the Revolutionary War is buried there.
- Originally named Southwark, Queen Village was the city's first neighborhood, taking its name from an area of London, and replacing the Swedes' community of Wicaco. The name "Queen Village" dates from the late 1960's.