Over 80% of Philadelphia's Libraries to Open on Saturdays by January End, Boosting Community Resources
By the end of January, a significant majority of the Free Library of Philadelphia branches will be open on Saturdays, making additional resources and workspace available for students, families, and job seekers. As of December 20, the Paschalville Library had already resumed weekend hours, followed by the Bushrod Library's new Saturday schedule, which began in early January.
The library system aims to provide support and services that meet community needs, particularly during weekends when many residents have limited access to libraries due to work or family commitments. According to Kelly Richards, president and director of the Free Library of Philadelphia, "We are proud to continue serving our communities." By opening more branches on Saturdays, the library seeks to offer a wider range of services, including storytimes, books, and community resources.
The expansion of Saturday hours is part of the library's efforts to address budget cuts that led to reduced service hours in 2018. The library system fully stopped offering Saturday hours during the COVID-19 pandemic but resumed weekday hours in 2020 and 2021. This latest move marks a significant shift towards providing more consistent access to libraries, particularly for underserved communities.
While the exact timeline for opening the remaining branches is unclear, officials indicate that funding included in Mayor Cherelle Parker's 2025 budget will enable necessary staffing adjustments. A strategic plan for the future of library operations will be released in February following a public survey and town halls held this summer.
For now, residents can look forward to increased access to libraries across the city. As the Free Library of Philadelphia continues to adapt to community needs, one thing is clear: the shift towards more inclusive service hours is a welcome development for those seeking resources and support.
By the end of January, a significant majority of the Free Library of Philadelphia branches will be open on Saturdays, making additional resources and workspace available for students, families, and job seekers. As of December 20, the Paschalville Library had already resumed weekend hours, followed by the Bushrod Library's new Saturday schedule, which began in early January.
The library system aims to provide support and services that meet community needs, particularly during weekends when many residents have limited access to libraries due to work or family commitments. According to Kelly Richards, president and director of the Free Library of Philadelphia, "We are proud to continue serving our communities." By opening more branches on Saturdays, the library seeks to offer a wider range of services, including storytimes, books, and community resources.
The expansion of Saturday hours is part of the library's efforts to address budget cuts that led to reduced service hours in 2018. The library system fully stopped offering Saturday hours during the COVID-19 pandemic but resumed weekday hours in 2020 and 2021. This latest move marks a significant shift towards providing more consistent access to libraries, particularly for underserved communities.
While the exact timeline for opening the remaining branches is unclear, officials indicate that funding included in Mayor Cherelle Parker's 2025 budget will enable necessary staffing adjustments. A strategic plan for the future of library operations will be released in February following a public survey and town halls held this summer.
For now, residents can look forward to increased access to libraries across the city. As the Free Library of Philadelphia continues to adapt to community needs, one thing is clear: the shift towards more inclusive service hours is a welcome development for those seeking resources and support.