Queen Memorial Library

Tuesday, May 20 – Message from Staff

Drop by any day for a free, nutritious lunch! Available to all kids 18 and under.

No registration is necessary -- just come have a bite to eat with us and refuel for your afternoon!

Every weekday, 12:30-1:30 pm, June 16th - August 8th

1201 South 23rd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19146-4316
Federal St. between 22nd & 23rd
Closed Today
Sunday, 6/15 Closed
Monday, 6/16 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, 6/17 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, 6/18 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, 6/19 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Closed *
Friday, 6/20 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, 6/21 Closed
  • * Thursday has hour changes – Juneteenth
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 Closed

Upcoming Closures

  • Thu., Jun. 19 : Closed Juneteenth
  • Fri., Jul. 4 : Closed Independence Day
  • Mon., Sep. 1 : Closed Labor Day
  • Thu., Sep. 11 : Opening at 1:00 PM due to staff development
View all holiday closings

Facilities

  • Baby changing station
  • Bicycle rack
  • Book drop box
  • Computers for public use
  • Electrical outlets available
  • Handicapped accessible
  • Meeting space (reservation required)
  • Photocopier (black/white)
  • Printing (black/white)
  • Public restrooms
  • Scanner
  • Street parking (free)
  • Street parking
  • Water fountain
  • Wireless internet access (wi/fi)

Upcoming Events

Lunch at the Library - Starting June 16th

Mon, June 16, 2025 12:30 P.M.

Drop by any day for a free, nutritious lunch! Available to all kids 18 and under. No registration is necessary -- just come have a bite to eat with us and refuel for your afternoon! Every weekday, 12:30-1:30 pm, June 16th - August 8th

Create and chill for teens

Mon, June 16, 2025 4:00 P.M.

​Are you working on a short story, a novel or a poem? Are you an artist looking for a chill space to work on your next piece? Just want to meet up with other teen readers, writers and artists? Join us for an afternoon of creativity and connection. Open to anyone ages 12-18. Snacks provided by…

Crafternoons

Mon, June 16, 2025 4:00 P.M.

Join Librarian Kate in the children's section for a weekly craft!  This craft program is intended for kids 5-11. Mondays from 4:00 to 5:00 PM.  

All Ages Chess Club

Tue, June 17, 2025 4:00 P.M.

Neighbors of all ages are invited to play chess with us! All supplies provided. No experience is necessary, all skill levels welcome! Chess Club will be held inside the library in the meeting room.

About

The Queen Memorial Library is located on the lower level of the Landreth Apartments, the former Landreth School. The entrance is on Federal Street between 22nd and 23rd streets. Its amenities include a vibrant children's area, a dynamic space for teens, and a suite of longstanding programs like Chair Yoga for adults and Kids Can Cook culinary classes for kids and teens (temporarily on hiatus due to safety concerns). The library has partnered with UPenn's Graduate School of Education, the Neighborhood Gardens Trust, Union Baptist Church, and many more community partners to offer a variety of events and programs to our patrons.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to see what we're up to!

History

Named in honor of a Philadelphia optician, pioneer microscope maker and philanthropist, the James W. Queen Memorial Library was founded in 1907. It was originally housed in the Hope Presbyterian Church at 33rd and Wharton Streets. This library became the Queen Memorial Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia on December 13, 1912. In 1945, it was relocated to a rented building at 1313-15 Point Breeze Avenue.

Queen Memorial Branch opened in its current location on Tuesday, January 17, 1995 in the Landreth Apartments, a residence for seniors. The building, built in 1889, is a renovated elementary school - the former Landreth School. Mamie Nichols, then Executive Director of the Point Breeze Federation, was a prime leader behind the renovation of the school into a "multi-purpose achievement center."