Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library

125 South 52nd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19139-3408
West Phila. Regional 52nd & Sansom Sts.
Open today 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, 1/19 Closed
3:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. *
Monday, 1/20 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Closed *
Tuesday, 1/21 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, 1/22 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, 1/23 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. *
Friday, 1/24 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, 1/25 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • * Sunday had hour changes – Open additional hours today as a warming center.
  • * Monday had hour changes – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
  • * Thursday has hour changes – due to staff development
Sunday Closed
Monday 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Upcoming Closures

  • Thu., Jan. 23 : Opening at 1:00 PM due to staff development
  • Mon., Feb. 17 : Closed Presidents' Day
  • Fri., Apr. 18 : Closed Good Friday
  • Sun., Apr. 20 : Closed Easter
View all holiday closings

Facilities

  • Accessible parking
  • 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
  • Photocopier (black/white)
  • Printing (black/white)
  • Public restrooms
  • Scanner
  • Screen-reading software (JAWS)
  • Self-service checkout
  • Stella Lighting
  • Street parking (free)
  • Street parking (metered)
  • Street parking
  • Water fountain
  • Wireless internet access (wi/fi)
  • ZoomText Keyboard & Special Key Features

Upcoming Events

*Class Full* Computer Skills for Beginners

Tue, January 21, 2025 2:00 P.M.

* Class is full and not accepting new students. Please call the number below to find an alternate class location. * Need computer help? Take a free digital skills workshop at the Library! Learn…

James Baldwin Reading Group

Tue, January 21, 2025 4:30 P.M.

"The People of Philadelphia Read James Baldwin" is a citywide series of book clubs at several locations across Philadelphia. Facilitated by the Saturday Free School as part of their…

Preschool Storytime & Playgroup

Wed, January 22, 2025 11:00 A.M.

Join us for Preschool storytime every Monday! Enjoy stories, rhythms, and songs. Stay after storytime for playgroup. This program is intended for ages 2 to 5 and their caregivers. Siblings…

Wonder Wednesdays

Wed, January 22, 2025 1:00 P.M.

Come spend your Wednesday afternoon at the library! Children of all ages can join us every Wednesday from 1-3 p.m. for reading, games, crafts, and fun! This program is intended for children of all…

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 three large, colorful murals: Knowledge by George Beach; Paul Robeson and the 21st Lady of Liberty by Marta Sanchez; and Adventures in Reading by Walter Edmonds.