Joseph E. Coleman Northwest Regional Library
68 West Chelten Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19144-2795
(Greene St. & Chelten Ave.)
215-685-2150
Open today until 6:00 p.m.
| Sunday | 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 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 | 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
Upcoming Closures
- Thu., Dec. 19 : Opening at 2:00 PM Due to staff development.
- Tue., Dec. 24 : Open 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM preparation for holidays
- Wed., Dec. 25 : Closed Christmas Day
- Tue., Dec. 31 : Open 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM preparation for holidays
- Wed., Jan. 1 : Closed New Year's Day
Facilities
- Baby changing station
- Bicycle rack
- Book drop box
- Change machine
- Children's only restroom
- Computer lab
- Computers for public use
- Electrical outlets available
- Handicapped accessible
- Meeting space (reservation required)
- Photocopier (black/white)
- Printing (black/white)
- Public restrooms
- Street parking (free)
- Street parking (metered)
- Water fountain
- Wireless internet access (wi/fi)
Nearby Libraries
Support Joseph E. Coleman Northwest Regional Library
Donate NowUpcoming Events
Preschool Storytime at the Library!
Fri, Dec 13, 10:30 A.M.
Join us for stories, songs, rhymes and more! This program is best for children ages 3 to 5 along with an adult caregiver. Siblings are…
Census 2020 - Job Fair
Sat, Dec 14, 11:00 A.M.
The Census Bureau is hiring! Stop by to talk with a Census Bureau representative about the great job opportunities available, ask questions, and…
Literacy Lab
Sun, Dec 15, 1:15 P.M.
Literacy Lab is a small group literacy instruction program for students in 1st to 3rd grade who struggle to read on grade level. The…
Literacy Lab
Sun, Dec 15, 3:15 P.M.
Literacy Lab is a small group literacy instruction program for students in 1st to 3rd grade who struggle to read on grade level. The…
Census 2020 - Apply Now!
Wed, Dec 18, 3:30 P.M.
The Census Bureau is hiring! Come hear from a Census Bureau representative about the great job opportunities available, ask questions, and apply…
Preschool Storytime at the Library!
Fri, Dec 20, 10:30 A.M.
Join us for stories, songs, rhymes and more! This program is best for children ages 3 to 5 along with an adult caregiver. Siblings are…
About
Originally, the Germantown Branch Library, in 2002, the library was renamed in honor of Joseph E. Coleman, Philadelphia's first African-American City Council President. The library serves Northwest Philadelphia and features Regional Ricky, a life-size, reader-friendly dragon.
History
Germantown was founded in 1683, one year after William Penn founded Philadelphia. Many historic events occurred in Germantown, including the first public protest against slavery in English America (1688), and the Battle of Germantown (1777). Germantown Avenue, a block away from Coleman Northwest Regional Library, is an old Indian trail called Main Street by the first settlers.
In 1895, Germantown Branch Library opened in Vernon Hall at Chelten and Germantown Avenues. The library moved to Vernon House, known at the time as Wister Mansion, in 1898. Vernon House is currently located in the center of Vernon Park a half block north of Chelten Avenue between Germantown Avenue and Greene Street.
In 1907, a new Carnegie library building opened in Vernon Park. It served as the Germantown Branch Library until Tuesday, July 25, 1978, when the Northwest Regional Library officially opened to the public. Northwest was the third regional library in the Free Library system. In 1986, Center in the Park, an activity center for older adults, opened in the former Germantown Branch Library.
Northwest Regional Library was renovated in 1997 as part of the "Changing Lives" campaign, which brought Internet service to every library. In 2002, the Northwest Regional Library was renamed the Joseph E. Coleman Northwest Regional Library. Coleman served City Council for 20 years, and he was for 12 years (1980-1992) the first African-American president of Philadelphia City Council. As a member of City Council, Mr. Coleman worked for the development of the Northwest Regional Library and its location at the corner of Chelten Avenue and Greene Street.
The Dragon Sculpture by Stewart Paul was originally installed in the children's department, but has since been moved to the lobby, where it overlooks the amphitheatre and the children's department. The mural of medieval knights and a variety of animals was painted by Richard Watson.