Welsh Road Library
The Free Library will close early at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 18, and remain closed on Thursday, June 19, 2025, in observance of the Juneteenth holiday.
| Sunday, 6/15 | Closed |
| Monday, 6/16 |
3:00 p.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 |
Closed * |
| Friday, 6/20 | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, 6/21 | Closed |
- * Monday had hour changes – Due to staff shortage. Materials pick up services offered 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
- * 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. 18 : Opening at 1:00 PM due to staff development
Services
- Browse Shelves
- Computer Use
- Materials / Holds Pick Up
- Printing Services
- Reference Services
- Wi-Fi
Facilities
- Baby changing station
- Bicycle rack
- Computers for public use
- Photocopier (black/white)
- Printing (black/white)
- Public restrooms
- Scanner
- Water fountain
- Wireless internet access (wi/fi)
Upcoming Events
I'm Proud of Me: Creating Our Pride Flags
Tue, June 17, 2025
4:30 P.M.
Join us for a bit of flag making as we craft and design our own Pride flags. We will celebrate existing Pride flags along with their history. Participants will then be able to design and make their own Pride flags with patterns and colors meant to highlight and showcase elements of the…
Family Storytime at Glen Foerd!
Thu, June 26, 2025
10:30 A.M.
Enjoy story time at the historic and beautiful Glen Foerd mansion. For ages 1 to 5 with an accompanying adult. Presented by Torresdale and Welsh Rd Libraries! Hope to see you there! Thursdays, 6/26, 7/3, 7/10, 7/17, 7/31 Glen Foerd is located at 5001 Grant Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19114,…
Family Storytime at Glen Foerd!
Thu, July 3, 2025
10:30 A.M.
Enjoy story time at the historic and beautiful Glen Foerd mansion. For ages 1 to 5 with an accompanying adult. Presented by Torresdale and Welsh Rd Libraries! Hope to see you there! Thursdays, 6/26, 7/3, 7/10, 7/17, 7/31 Glen Foerd is located at 5001 Grant Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19114,…
Family Storytime at Glen Foerd!
Thu, July 10, 2025
10:30 A.M.
Enjoy story time at the historic and beautiful Glen Foerd mansion. For ages 1 to 5 with an accompanying adult. Presented by Torresdale and Welsh Rd Libraries! Hope to see you there! Thursdays, 6/26, 7/3, 7/10, 7/17, 7/31 Glen Foerd is located at 5001 Grant Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19114,…
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 Library 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 behind 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..
The library has a 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. The building was awarded the "Distinguished Building Award" by the Pennsylvania Society of Architects in 1970.
The library was last renovated in 1996 as part of the "Changing Lives" campaign, which brought Internet service to every library.