Philadelphia City Institute
1905 Locust Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103-5730
(19th & Locust on W. Rittenhouse Square)
215-685-6621
Closed Today
| 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 | Closed |
Upcoming Closures
- Mon., Sep. 4 : Closed Labor Day
- Thu., Sep. 21 : Opening at 2:00 PM Due to staff development.
- Mon., Oct. 9 : Closed Columbus Day
- Thu., Oct. 19 : Opening at 2:00 PM Due to staff development.
- Sat., Nov. 11 : Closed Veterans 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
Craft Circle
Mon, Aug 21, 2:00 P.M.
Bring a favorite craft such as knitting, crocheting, quilting, coloring, or cross-stitch to work on at the library. A limited supply of yarn and…
English Conversation Group
Mon, Aug 21, 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,…
Summer Concert Series
Mon, Aug 21, 6:30 P.M.
Join us for our third annual series of jazz performances at the library this August. All concerts will be held from 6:30-7:30 pm in the meeting…
You Be the Judge
Wed, Aug 23, 5:00 P.M.
Do you like to read the latest and best books published for teens? Do you like to share your opinions about what you read? Join You Be the Judge…
English Conversation Group
Mon, Aug 28, 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,…
Summer Concert Series
Mon, Aug 28, 6:30 P.M.
Join us for our third annual series of jazz performances at the library this August. All concerts will be held from 6:30-7:30 pm in the meeting…
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.