Independence Library
Returns and Phone Reference Days and Hours for this week:
Monday 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Thursday 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Friday 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Materials Pick-Up Days and Hours for this week:
Tuesday 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. & 1:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Wednesday 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. & 1:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m..
Thursday 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. & 1:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Please remember that materials pick-up is by appointment only and we are unable to accomodate same day appointments. Appointments must be made during phone reference hours. We do ask that you call upon arrival, as we may not be able to always have a staff member at the door. Additionally, we only have one phone line, so if there is a busy signal, please wait a few minutes and call back.
Upcoming Closures
- Mon., May. 31 : Closed Memorial Day
- Sat., Jun. 19 : Closed Juneteenth
- Sun., Jul. 4 : Closed Independence Day
- Mon., Jul. 5 : Closed Independence Day (Observed)
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)
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.