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
- Tue., Jul. 4 : Closed Independence Day
- Thu., Jul. 20 : Opening at 2:00 PM Due to staff development.
- Thu., Aug. 17 : Opening at 2:00 PM Due to staff development.
- Mon., Sep. 4 : Closed Labor Day
- Thu., Sep. 21 : Opening at 2:00 PM Due to staff development.
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
English Conversation Group
Mon, Jun 26, 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, Jun 27, 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, Jun 27, 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…
College and Job Readiness Workshops for Teens
Tue, Jun 27, 4:01 P.M.
Spend, Save, and Give Workshop: This workshop has been designed to teach teens the importance of saving for their future, giving to others and…
Transgender Experiences in Literature
Wed, Jun 28, 6:30 P.M.
AJ Young will discuss transgender experiences in literature, and address key questions such as: What counts as transgender literature? What kinds…
Preschool Open House
Thu, Jun 29, 10:00 A.M.
Groups and families with children ages 3-5 are invited to bring your children to our Thursday morning Open Houses. Kids will get a chance to: Read…
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.