Wadsworth Library

1500 Wadsworth Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19150-1699
Wadsworth & Michener Aves.
Open today 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, 12/8 Closed
Monday, 12/9 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, 12/10 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, 12/11 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, 12/12 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. *
Friday, 12/13 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, 12/14 Closed
  • * 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 Closed

Upcoming Closures

  • Thu., Dec. 12 : Opening at 1:00 PM due to staff development
  • Wed., Dec. 25 : Closed Christmas Day
  • Wed., Jan. 1 : Closed New Year's Day
  • Mon., Jan. 20 : Closed Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
View all holiday closings

Services By Appointment

Services

Facilities

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

About

Located in the Wadsworth Avenue shopping district, this branch serves the Wadsworth, Cedarbrook, Ivy Hill, and East Mt. Airy communities. A free parking lot on Michener Street serves many of the stores in the area.
 

History

The Wadsworth area became part of the city of Philadelphia in 1854. Prior to a housing boom that began in the 1940's, the area was open woodlands and farms. Therefore, there are only two buildings in the community built before the 1940's. Wadsworth Avenue and Michener Street were named after two of the old family farms.

Before there was a branch library, the neighborhood made heavy use of the Free Library's bookmobile. Wadsworth Avenue Library, a modern building with a glass "storefront," opened on July 30, 1959. In 1992, the building reopened after being closed several years for asbestos removal and building renovations, including the addition of a meeting room. Colorful ribbons enlivened the glass façade and neon lights brightened the interior.

The library was further renovated in 1999 as part of the "Changing Lives" campaign, which refurbished branches and brought Internet service.