Lillian Marrero Library
601 West Lehigh Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19133-2228
(6th St. & Lehigh Ave.)
215-685-9794
Open today until 6:00 p.m.
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday | 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 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
- Mon., May. 28 : Closed Memorial Day
- Thu., Jun. 7 : Opening at 2:00 PM Due to staff development.
- Wed., Jul. 4 : Closed Independence Day
- Thu., Jul. 5 : Opening at 2:00 PM Due to staff development.
- Thu., Aug. 2 : Opening at 2:00 PM Due to staff development.
Facilities
- Baby changing station
- Book drop box
- Computer lab
- Computers for public use
- Electrical outlets available
- Handicapped accessible
- Meeting space (reservation required)
- Parking lot
- Photocopier (black/white)
- Printing (black/white)
- Public restrooms
- Scanner
- Self-service checkout
- Street parking (free)
- Study rooms
- Water fountain
- Wireless internet access (wi/fi)
Upcoming Events
Storytime
Tue, May 22, 10:30 A.M.
Ms. Tuesday invites children ages 2 to 6 and their caregivers to join her for stories, songs and activities. Siblings are always welcome. Groups…
Scott the Snake Guy
Tue, May 22, 4:00 P.M.
Learn about the behavior and habitats of real live snakes and bugs with Scott the Snake Guy! After the presentation children will have the…
Gardening Club
Thu, May 24, 4:00 P.M.
Children and Teens can learn gardening skills with a focus of putting in a veggie garden at the branch.
Hip-Hop Dance Classes
Sat, May 26, 1:00 P.M.
Learn the Hip Hop Fundamentals with Young Audiences Dance Company . Please sign up with Ms. Tuesday in advance. Call 215 685-9794 or stop by the…
Storytime
Tue, May 29, 10:30 A.M.
Ms. Tuesday invites children ages 2 to 6 and their caregivers to join her for stories, songs and activities. Siblings are always welcome. Groups…
Family Game Night
Wed, May 30, 5:00 P.M.
Enjoy some of your favorite board games such as UNO, Scrabble, or Connect 4 with your family. Light snacks provided.
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.