Wadsworth Branch - Free Library of Philadelphia

Wadsworth Branch - Free Library of Philadelphia Serving Wadsworth, Cedarbrook, Ivy Hill, & East Mt. Airy. Free parking lot on Michener Street.
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**Anyone who lives outside of Philidelphia County area can still get a Philadelphia County Library Card. All you have to do is bring in a library card from the county you live in or had lived in. If you are a college student you can bring in your college's library card or id card. AVOID FINES by renewing your library materials before they are due.* Call 215-686-5407, or visit our website at freeli

brary.org with your card and PIN to renew your items.
*some restrictions may apply

Please visit the website to take advantage of Neighborhood Information, Program and Services Information, Bus Schedules, Directions, and additional information. 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.

06/06/2026

Please join us this Monday, June 8 at 4:00pm for Cooking with Ms. Keisha!

Check out our June Calendar! We have some exciting programs coming up. Monday, June 8 • 12:00pm • Chair YogaMonday, June...
06/01/2026

Check out our June Calendar! We have some exciting programs coming up.

Monday, June 8 • 12:00pm • Chair Yoga
Monday, June 8 • 4:00pm • Cooking with Ms. Keisha
Tuesday, June 9 • 3:00pm • 🎉Summer Quest Kickoff Party 🎉
Saturday, June 20 • 12:00pm • All-Ages Tea Party

Please join us TODAY, May 26th at 4:00pm for a special visit from local children's author Joann Frasier Dasent (AKA Aunt...
05/26/2026

Please join us TODAY, May 26th at 4:00pm for a special visit from local children's author Joann Frasier Dasent (AKA Auntie Jo Jo the Storyteller). She will be reading from her new book, Little Red & the Sweet Bread Man, a retelling of two classic fairy tales.

This week, our normal Friday Crochet Club for kids and teens will instead meet on SATURDAY, May 16 at 1:00pm. We hope to...
05/11/2026

This week, our normal Friday Crochet Club for kids and teens will instead meet on SATURDAY, May 16 at 1:00pm. We hope to see you there!

Join us TODAY at 12:00pm for Chair Yoga! For adults of all ability and skill levels.
05/11/2026

Join us TODAY at 12:00pm for Chair Yoga! For adults of all ability and skill levels.

Check out our May 2026 calendar!
05/08/2026

Check out our May 2026 calendar!

04/30/2026

TODAY, April 30 at 3:30pm please join us for a special LEAP Poetry Cafe. Celebrate National Poetry Month by reciting one of your own poems or one of your favorite poems. This program is for kids and teens, but all who enjoy poetry are welcome.

TODAY: join Dr. Guy Sims here at Wadsworth for the Free Library's oral history project “To Be Free.” Share your response...
04/21/2026

TODAY: join Dr. Guy Sims here at Wadsworth for the Free Library's oral history project “To Be Free.” Share your response to one basic and fundamental question, “What does it mean to be free?”

The library will be collecting these recordings as a time capsule for future generations to understand Philadelphia today. People of all ages are encouraged to participate. Children can also draw an answer on special coloring sheets, showing off how they visualize freedom today.

Check out our February 2026 calendar!We have some special programs coming up in the next couple weeks:02/12 at 3:15pm - ...
02/04/2026

Check out our February 2026 calendar!

We have some special programs coming up in the next couple weeks:

02/12 at 3:15pm - Story Quilting with Mama Carla

02/19 at 3:45pm - Hip Hop Jazz Musicology

New times for storytime at Wadsworth Library! 5:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and 10:30 a.m. on Thursdays!
12/09/2025

New times for storytime at Wadsworth Library! 5:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and 10:30 a.m. on Thursdays!

Address

1500 Wadsworth Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
19150

Opening Hours

Monday 11am - 7pm
Tuesday 11am - 7pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm

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