Philadelphia City Institute
1905 Locust Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103-5730
(19th & Locust on W. Rittenhouse Square)
215-685-6621
Open today 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday | 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 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 | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
Upcoming Closures
- Sat., Nov. 11 : Closed Veterans Day
- Thu., Nov. 16 : Opening at 2:00 PM Due to staff development.
- Thu., Nov. 23 : Closed Thanksgiving Day
- Thu., Dec. 21 : Opening at 2:00 PM Due to staff development.
- Mon., Dec. 25 : Closed Christmas Day
Facilities
- Baby changing station
- Bicycle rack
- Book drop box
- Children's only restroom
- Computers for public use
- Meeting space (reservation required)
- Photocopier (black/white)
- Printing (black/white)
- Public restrooms
- Street parking
- Water fountain
- Wireless internet access (wi/fi)
- Scanner
Upcoming Events
Philadelphia Orchestra Musicians (POM) Concert
Mon, Oct 23, 12:30 P.M.
One Monday each fall, The Philadelphia Orchestra Musicians (POM) organize a Day of Music throughout the greater Philadelphia area. This…
English Conversation Group
Mon, Oct 23, 5:30 P.M.
Please join us for a free conversation hour as you build your confidence in speaking English. Topics may involve small talk, holidays and customs,…
Music and Movement Storytime
Tue, Oct 24, 10:00 A.M.
Dance, wiggle and sing along in our fun storytime for young independent movers. Siblings are always welcome at our programs. Preschools and other…
Music and Movement Storytime
Tue, Oct 24, 11:00 A.M.
Dance, wiggle and sing along in our fun storytime for young independent movers. Siblings are always welcome at our programs. Preschools and other…
Author Talk: Thom Nickels
Wed, Oct 25, 6:30 P.M.
Author Thom Nickels will discuss his book Literary Philadelphia. Thom Nickels is the author of 11 published books, the theater critic for ICON…
Preschool Open House
Thu, Oct 26, 10:00 A.M.
Groups and families with children ages 3-5 are invited to our Thursday morning Open Houses. Kids will get a chance to: Read and enjoy books Play…
About
Located on the first floor and lower level of a high-rise apartment building on the northwest corner of Rittenhouse Square, PCI serves the communities of Rittenhouse Square, Fitler Square, and people who live and work in Center City west of Broad Street.
History
The Philadelphia City Institute Board of Managers is a non-profit organization that has supported a free library in Center City, Philadelphia for 163 years. The Philadelphia City Institute Library (PCI) has had three locations: first, in 1855, on the northeast corner of 18th and Chestnut Streets; since 1956, at 1905 Locust Street, facing Rittenhouse Square. Today, the PCI Library functions as a branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia. The PCI Managers maintain ownership of the premises and the assets; with endowment income, they also provide operational support and funding for augmented staff, new materials, and equipment.
The PCI Board of Managers’ object was “the promotion of the moral and intellectual improvement of young persons by means of a Library and Reading Room, Lectures and class instruction, and such other measures as the Board of Managers may adopt.” Weekly lectures by prominent Philadelphians and free night schools were important activities of PCI in its early years. Initially these were reserved for young men, but PCI soon decided to “extend the advantages of the Institute to females.”
A mural by noted Philadelphia artist David McShane greets visitors to the library. Commissioned by the Friends of PCI in 2000, the mural reflects the history and mission of the branch and the diversity of the community it serves.