Lillian Marrero Library
601 West Lehigh Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19133-2228
(6th St. & Lehigh Ave.)
Library is temporarily closed.
Upcoming Events
Teen Council Meetup
Mon, Nov 20, 4:30 P.M.
Lillian Marrero Library
Please join Ms. Mieka to discuss matters important to you! Ages 12-17
Job Readiness Lab
Tue, Nov 21, 10:00 A.M.
Lillian Marrero Library
Create a resume or bring in your own for critique. Get help with online job searching and applications in our new computer lab.
Storytime
Tue, Nov 21, 10:30 A.M.
Lillian Marrero Library
Ms. Tuesday invites children ages 2 to 6 and their caregivers to join her for stories, songs and activities. Siblings are always welcome. Groups…
Adult Sit & Chat
Tue, Nov 21, 12:30 P.M.
Lillian Marrero Library
Please join Ms. Mieka to sit and chat about anything and everything! Ages 18+
Let’s Speak English: Conversation Groups for International Adults
Wed, Nov 22, 12:00 P.M.
Lillian Marrero Library
These weekly conversation hours will allow adult language learners to build their confidence and skills in conversational English in a relaxed and…
Teen Council Meetup
Mon, Nov 27, 4:30 P.M.
Lillian Marrero Library
Please join Ms. Mieka to discuss matters important to you! Ages 12-17
About
¡ Bienvenido! The Lillian Marrero Branch is your Library, featuring books, DVDs, CDs, computer classes, free wi-fi, job search workshops and programs for children. It serves the communities of Central North Philadelphia, Fairhill, St. Edwards/Hartranft, and West Kensington ¡Libros en español!
History
This neighborhood developed in the 19th century as a region of multiplying industry. Hardwick and Magee had a carpet mill at 7th and Lehigh. The world-famous Stetson Hat Factory at 5th and Montgomery, which closed in 1971, was once the city's largest employer. However, as early as the late 1930's, the area's industry started to move south and jobs disappeared.
The Lehigh Avenue Branch of the Free Library, built with funds from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, opened on November 20, 1906. Within a few days, the neighborhood children had "practically wiped the children's department out of existence" by checking out so many books. At the time, this white limestone Grecian-style building was the largest library in Pennsylvania, and the large lecture hall in the basement was used for lectures and story hours.
The branch was saved from a planned relocation in the mid-sixties and was instead rehabilitated in 1967, and again in 1997 as part of the "Changing Lives" campaign, which refurbished branches and brought Internet service to every library. During this renovation, the original chandeliers were refurbished.