Free Library of Philadelphia
Free Library of Philadelphia
4.4
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
About
This magnificent building modeled after the Place de Concorde in Paris has an excellent and eclectic collection. If its medieval manuscripts you want or early American hornbooks, youll find it here.
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The area
Neighborhood: City Center West
How to get there
- 19th St • 9 min walk
- 22nd St • 10 min walk
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Restaurants
3,103 within 3 miles
Attractions
715 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.4
111 reviews
Excellent
58
Very good
41
Average
9
Poor
0
Terrible
3
David-Kevin B
Washington DC, DC408 contributions
Oct 2021
One of the largest library systems in the country, the Free Library is worthy of your time. Dramatic architecture, a large collection of books, journals, maps and multimedia await you and are definitely worth your time. Located nearby is their Friends of the Free Library, featuring used books and multimedia at great prices. Coffee table and large format photography books can be obtained in great condition, along with television series on DVD from the UK.
Written February 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
viajero5
Washington, DC319 contributions
Apr 2023 • Solo
On a previous visit to Philadelphia, I went on a general tour of the library. This time I went on the Rare Books Collection tour. Both tours were great. Even if you don't have time for a tour there is an exhibition on the 3rd floor outside of the rare books area.
Written April 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sheetal S
Gurugram (Gurgaon), India208 contributions
Mar 2019 • Solo
no ticket is required as it is a free city library but if you are at Logan square you can go here also. rare books collection on the 3rd floor is worth a visit as it has cool items there alike Charles dickens crow ,Sumerian text stones.Various typography docs are displayed. Old pictoral philedelphia map displays red indians which was insightful about the history of this country.
The interior is well lit with old but efficient elevator.
I liked the literature section on 2nd floor which display a book "My bondage my freedom"..
Souvenir cards can be bought which have nice paintings.
The interior is well lit with old but efficient elevator.
I liked the literature section on 2nd floor which display a book "My bondage my freedom"..
Souvenir cards can be bought which have nice paintings.
Written March 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
businesstraveler2031
Lisbon, Portugal93 contributions
Aug 2020
the building is beautiful but the services are sub par! after 6 months they are still closed to the public due to the pandemic while grocery store workers and retail/restaurant staff are open for business. You cannot visit. You need to reserve a time to pick up a dvd by calling on the phone to speak with a "Live" person. I have noticed that the FLP does not return voicemails.
Written August 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cherry_Wonderdog
New England4,981 contributions
Apr 2012 • Family
The library's collection of Dickens and other original masterpieces is stupendous. The courteous guard welcomed us upstairs, locked away our backpacks, and allowed us to peruse the displays in private.
Definitely one of Philadelphia's best kept secrets, although you need to appreciate the value of the collection for the visit to be worthwhile.
Definitely one of Philadelphia's best kept secrets, although you need to appreciate the value of the collection for the visit to be worthwhile.
Written April 19, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
usefulaeb
Topsham, ME32 contributions
Oct 2019
Don't miss the 11 o'clock tour of the rare book room (week days). Overall the library is just a lovely place to go work for an hour or enjoy its offerings. The roof deck on the new addition offers nice city views.
Written October 10, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stephanie S
Charlotte, NC417 contributions
Aug 2019
There are three significant reasons that lovers of all Victorian Literature must visit this museum!
1. Grip, the raven loved and owned by Charles Dickens, but hated by his wife and children (the bird always bit their ankles!) is preserved for view as part of the open exhibit of the Free Rare Books Collection of the Philly Library. Poe had a friendship with Dickens, and this legendary bird is believed to have inspired Edgar Allen Poe to have written his famous The Raven Poem. Take a picture with Grip! Preserve the moment.
2. Around 11am every day, a docent volunteers their time in the Rare Books Collection to tour people through the many rare bits and pieces of this portion of the library. This can be a valuable personal tour of the library's collection, including Frederick Douglass' items, Chippendale clocks, North African Quran samples, and Beatrix Potter illustrations.
3. If you are very, very lucky you will have a docent who has access to the Richard Gimbel Collection of Edgar Allen Poe, and will escort you into the Elkins Room with the extensive collection of Dickens and Dickens ‘ furniture including his writing desk.
The rare books collection is a privilege, and is easily accessible via the PHLASH bus system. Highly recommend.
1. Grip, the raven loved and owned by Charles Dickens, but hated by his wife and children (the bird always bit their ankles!) is preserved for view as part of the open exhibit of the Free Rare Books Collection of the Philly Library. Poe had a friendship with Dickens, and this legendary bird is believed to have inspired Edgar Allen Poe to have written his famous The Raven Poem. Take a picture with Grip! Preserve the moment.
2. Around 11am every day, a docent volunteers their time in the Rare Books Collection to tour people through the many rare bits and pieces of this portion of the library. This can be a valuable personal tour of the library's collection, including Frederick Douglass' items, Chippendale clocks, North African Quran samples, and Beatrix Potter illustrations.
3. If you are very, very lucky you will have a docent who has access to the Richard Gimbel Collection of Edgar Allen Poe, and will escort you into the Elkins Room with the extensive collection of Dickens and Dickens ‘ furniture including his writing desk.
The rare books collection is a privilege, and is easily accessible via the PHLASH bus system. Highly recommend.
Written August 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rick P
Port Huron, MI345 contributions
Jun 2019 • Solo
Went to look up some old history on an ancestor and found the staff there more eager to help than I could have expected. Thanks so much for the help.
Written June 27, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
iowakar
Johnston, IA70 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
I love visiting historic libraries whenever I travel - this did not disappoint. It is a beautiful building. There are free tours of the rare book department at 11 am. You can see some of the area on your own but to see the library room which was donated by a benefactor and rebuilt within the library you need to be with the tour. The collection of rare books is wonderful. From cuneiforms, centuries old Qurans, and first editions from Dickens, Poe, Hawthorne, etc to the stuffed raven Grip. Docent was knowledgeable and even recommended other historic libraries to visit. Worth the visit. The special rare book exhibit when we visited focused on children’s books - very fun!
Written June 20, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Moti G
New Jersey75 contributions
Dec 2018 • Family
This library reminds me of all that is great in Philadelphia. Welcoming people. Experiencing our Nation’s Rich History. Finding real treasures donated by Philadelphians. Vast culture for all to enjoy. Free.
Written December 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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