Welsh Road Library
9233 Roosevelt Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19114-2205
(Welsh Road & Roosevelt Blvd.)
215-685-0498
The Free Library's Summer Hours begin this week. We are now open Monday through Friday. Fall hours begin September 22.
Fridays in July at 3 PM-Mad Scientists Club
Monday, June 25 at 3:30 PM-Scott Prior's Snake Party
Open today 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
| Sunday, 6/17 | Closed |
| Monday, 6/18 | 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday, 6/19 | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday, 6/20 | 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. |
| Thursday, 6/21 |
2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.* |
| Friday, 6/22 | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, 6/23 | Closed |
- * Thursday has hour changes – Due to staff development.
| 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
- Thu., Jun. 21 : Opening at 2:00 PM Due to staff development.
- Wed., Jul. 4 : Closed Independence Day
- Thu., Jul. 19 : Opening at 2:00 PM Due to staff development.
- Thu., Aug. 16 : Opening at 2:00 PM Due to staff development.
- Mon., Sep. 3 : Closed Labor Day
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
Storytime
Tue, Jun 19, 11:00 A.M.
Join us for librarian led storytime for preschool and early elementary children, followed by play time with our large wooden blocks.
Summertime Art
Tue, Jun 19, 3:00 P.M.
Read a popular picture book, and create an art project based on the title! For school age children seven and older. Groups…
Family Movie
Wed, Jun 20, 1:00 P.M.
Come watch a family friendly movie in the meeting room. Snacks provided.
Snake Party!
Mon, Jun 25, 3:30 P.M.
Snake expert Scott Prior will bring some of his favorite live snakes so we can get up-close-and-personal with these fascinating creatures. …
Storytime
Tue, Jun 26, 11:00 A.M.
Join us for librarian led storytime for preschool and early elementary children, followed by play time with our large wooden blocks.
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.