Philly Libraries Poised to Serve Community 7 Days a Week by Late January
By next month, nearly nine out of ten branches of the Free Library of Philadelphia will be open on Saturdays. The expansion is part of an ongoing effort to provide more resources and services to residents, following a review of funding that allowed for additional staffing.
The move marks a significant shift from 2018 when Saturday hours were first cut due to budget constraints. Over the past few years, weekday hours have been reinstated in many libraries, but Saturday hours remained scarce until recently. Now, with nearly 80% of branches set to open on Saturdays by late January, the library is poised to become a hub for community engagement and learning.
While some branches had previously announced their plans to expand Saturday hours, including the Bushrod Library and Pascalville Library, others have just started offering weekend services. The Wyoming Library will join the ranks starting January 24th.
The expansion comes with a focus on serving students, families, and job seekers who may benefit from additional resources and workspace during the weekends. According to Kelly Richards, president and director of the Free Library of Philadelphia, "We are proud to continue serving our communities... By continuing to open additional libraries on Saturdays for public service, we look forward to providing the support and resources our neighbors rely on."
The library's plans to introduce weekend hours come as part of a broader strategy to enhance its operations. A strategic plan is set to be released in February, following a series of town halls held this summer and a public survey. The new plan aims to address emerging needs and priorities within the community.
The recent expansion reflects the library's commitment to adapting to changing circumstances while maintaining its core mission. With nearly nine out of ten branches now open on Saturdays, residents can look forward to increased access to services, programs, and resources over the weekends.
By next month, nearly nine out of ten branches of the Free Library of Philadelphia will be open on Saturdays. The expansion is part of an ongoing effort to provide more resources and services to residents, following a review of funding that allowed for additional staffing.
The move marks a significant shift from 2018 when Saturday hours were first cut due to budget constraints. Over the past few years, weekday hours have been reinstated in many libraries, but Saturday hours remained scarce until recently. Now, with nearly 80% of branches set to open on Saturdays by late January, the library is poised to become a hub for community engagement and learning.
While some branches had previously announced their plans to expand Saturday hours, including the Bushrod Library and Pascalville Library, others have just started offering weekend services. The Wyoming Library will join the ranks starting January 24th.
The expansion comes with a focus on serving students, families, and job seekers who may benefit from additional resources and workspace during the weekends. According to Kelly Richards, president and director of the Free Library of Philadelphia, "We are proud to continue serving our communities... By continuing to open additional libraries on Saturdays for public service, we look forward to providing the support and resources our neighbors rely on."
The library's plans to introduce weekend hours come as part of a broader strategy to enhance its operations. A strategic plan is set to be released in February, following a series of town halls held this summer and a public survey. The new plan aims to address emerging needs and priorities within the community.
The recent expansion reflects the library's commitment to adapting to changing circumstances while maintaining its core mission. With nearly nine out of ten branches now open on Saturdays, residents can look forward to increased access to services, programs, and resources over the weekends.
. It was always so peaceful and fun. I can imagine how great it'll be for families and students now that they have more resources available on Saturdays. The library's been through some tough times before (remember when Saturday hours were cut back in 2018? 
), but it's awesome to see them come out stronger and more community-focused than ever! Can't wait to explore the new branches and services... bring it on, Philly Libraries! 
. and you know what's even better? its not just about the library itself, its about how its gonna bring ppl together! i mean think about all the events & workshops they're gonna host on saturdays now... it's gonna be SO lit 
! can't wait to check out the new Bushrod Library when it opens 
I think it's awesome that Philly Libraries are gonna be open 7 days a week! Like, who doesn't need a quiet spot to study or do some work on the weekend? 
It's great that they're trying to serve the community and support students, families, and job seekers. I'm sure it'll make a big difference for people who wanna learn something new or get some extra help with their studies. Plus, it's just nice to have a comfy place to hang out on the weekends... 
Philly libraries are finally getting it right! 7 days a week is such a game changer for students & families trying to balance work & family life they'll be able to get the help they need on weekends too 
, can't wait to check out their new weekend services 
just saw this news about Philly libraries opening 7 days a week by jan late i'm not surprised tho they've been trying to get more ppl involved in their community programs n stuff for years now its about time tho more people should really check out their services especially with all the changes goin on in the world nowadays
! Can't wait to 'check out' the new community vibes 
. It's like, finally! We need more community hubs where we can learn, grow, and chill out with a good book 
. I mean, who doesn't need extra resources and workspace on the weekends? 
, but now it's almost 80%! That's a huge jump 
. And it's not just about the hours, it's about the impact on community engagement too 
. Think about all the students who'll have access to resources and workspace over the weekends, or families who can borrow books and attend programs without having to rush back during weekdays 
. I'm all for it 
That's some serious growth 
i can only imagine how much of a difference this is gonna make for students, families, and job seekers who might be struggling to find time or space during the week 
Anyway, I'm stoked to see what the future holds for these libraries! Maybe they'll even get those old Wi-Fi issues sorted out 
. Now, with 80% of branches opening up, it's going to be a hub for community engagement and learning – I'm all for that! 
. Bring it on!