Welsh Road Library

By Appointment services available - call to schedule

9233 Roosevelt Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19114-2205
Welsh Road & Roosevelt Blvd.
Closed Today
Sunday Closed
Monday By Appointment
Tuesday 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday By Appointment
Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Friday By Appointment
Saturday Closed

Upcoming Closures

  • Fri., Apr. 7 : Closed Good Friday
  • Sun., Apr. 9 : Closed Easter
  • Mon., May. 29 : Closed Memorial Day
  • Mon., Jun. 19 : Closed Juneteenth
View all holiday closings

Services By Appointment

Services

Facilities

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

Upcoming Events

Craft of the Week

Tue, March 28, 2023 10:30 A.M.

    Stop by our craft table to make our fun craft of the week. Crafts are available Tuesdays and Thursdays in January and February from 10:30-5:00 P.M. as staffing permits. For children…

Craft of the Week

Thu, March 30, 2023 10:30 A.M.

    Stop by our craft table to make our fun craft of the week. Crafts are available Tuesdays and Thursdays in January and February from 10:30-5:00 P.M. as staffing permits. For children…

Around the World with The Geography Lady!

Tue, April 18, 2023 4:00 P.M.

Take a trip around the world from the comfort of the Library with The Geography Lady! This is an all ages family program.

Snake Party!

Tue, May 2, 2023 4:00 P.M.

Join snake expert Scott Prior to meet his favorite scaly friends as they visit the library. He'll share interesting facts about snake behaviors and habitats, and answer your questions. If you…

History

Welsh Road is named for the Welsh settlers from North Wales who came down this rough road in the 1700's to go to the grist mill on Pennypack Creek. The last section of Welsh Road, from Mower Street to Roosevelt Boulevard, was completed as an improved blacktop road and dedicated in 1954.

The community served by the Welsh Road branch began to develop after World War II, when returning servicemen received government-backed mortgages, and developers like the Korman and Orleans families bought large parcels of land.

The Welsh Road branch opened to the public on November 11, 1968. The library was one of the first in the country to be built in a shopping center, although it is really in back of the Northeast Shopping Center. At the time of its opening, it was predicted that the unique location would enable Welsh Road to circulate in excess of 200,000 items per year. That prediction turned out to be remarkably accurate, and it still holds true today.

The library has a futuristic design that relies on three walls of glass to add to the interior lighting. The black and white marble mosaic "Space Cage" dominates the entryway, and the preschool center has a carousel theme. The building was awarded the "Distinguished Building Award" by the Pennsylvania Society of Architects in 1970.

The library was renovated in 1996 as part of the "Changing Lives" campaign, which brought Internet service to every library.