Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library
125 South 52nd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19139-3408
(West Phila. Regional 52nd & Sansom Sts.)
Library is temporarily closed.
Upcoming Events
Literacy Lab
Sun, Apr 5, 1:15 P.M.
Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library
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, Apr 5, 3:15 P.M.
Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library
Literacy Lab is a small group literacy instruction program for students in 1st to 3rd grade who struggle to read on grade level. The…
Survivors of Suicide Loss (SOSL) Support Group
Wed, Apr 8, 6:30 P.M.
Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library
Survivors of Suicide Loss Support Groups will meet virtually, by phone and online, through April 30 (at this time). Check their website…
Read, Baby, Read Storytime and Playgroup
Sat, Apr 11, 11:15 A.M.
Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library
Read! Sing! Play! Help your child learn through stories, songs, and fun activities. All programs are for children ages birth through 24…
Read, Baby, Read Storytime and Playgroup
Sat, Apr 18, 11:15 A.M.
Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library
Read! Sing! Play! Help your child learn through stories, songs, and fun activities. All programs are for children ages birth through 24…
Literacy Lab
Sun, Apr 19, 1:15 P.M.
Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library
Literacy Lab is a small group literacy instruction program for students in 1st to 3rd grade who struggle to read on grade level. The…
About
Located two blocks south of the 52nd Street El station in the heart of West Philadelphia, this regional library was renamed in 2004. The library serves the communities of Cedar Park, Walnut Hill, West Market, Mill Creek, Dunlap, and West Park.
History
In 1677, William Warner purchased land from the local Native Americans and settled in the vicinity of 45th Street and Westminster Streets. He named the area Blockley after his home parish in England. Blockley became one of thirteen original townships in the city.
In 1840, the Borough of West Philadelphia was incorporated and later upgraded to the West Philadelphia District. By 1866, the Chestnut Street Bridge opened and railroad cars drawn by horses brought passengers as far as the corner of 41st and Chestnut Streets. It was not until 1904 that the line was extended to 45th Street and later to 61st Street. By 1904, Chestnut was paved as far as 46th Street, and further on it was a dirt road. Cornfields grew beyond present-day 53rd Street.
After the Market Street Elevated train opened in 1907, West Philadelphia rapidly urbanized and was significantly developed by World War II. Paul Robeson, world-renowned African American singer and actor, lived his retirement years on Walnut Street near 50th Street, a few blocks from the library.
The West Philadelphia Regional Library opened on October 21, 1976 - the second regional library in the city, providing West Philadelphia with a larger collection of books, magazines and newspapers than neighborhood branches. Designed by architect William Mann, the library was built on the site of the Rivoli Theatre.
The library was renovated in 1998 as part of the "Changing Lives" campaign, which refurbished branches and brought Internet service to every library. The building was renamed the Lucien E. Blackwell/West Philadelphia Regional library in 2004 after Lucien Blackwell, a former congressman, city council member, state legislator and local activist who died in 2003.
The library is located on 52nd Street, the major commercial and shopping district of West Philadelphia. When you visit, look in the adult room for the large, colorful mural by George Beach, entitled Knowledge.