Posted on 05 December 2025 by WestPhillyLocal.com

Books make a great holiday gift. The annual Walnut West Library Friends’ Huge Holiday Book Sale will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 9 from 12 to 6:30 p.m. and Wednesday, Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All are invited to browse from a large selection of gift-quality used children’s books as well as general fiction and nonfiction for the grownups.
Prices range from $1.00 to $3.00. This year, in addition to the usual offerings, large collections of math books and classical music LPs will be available!
Proceeds from the sale are used by the Friends of the Walnut Street West Library to support programs, supplies and repairs at the library.
The Walnut Street West Free Library of Philadelphia branch is located at 40th and Walnut. Check out more upcoming events and holiday hours here.
Posted on 13 December 2024 by WestPhillyLocal.com

The Friends of Walnut Street West Library is hosting a Huge Holiday (INFLATION FREE) Book Sale at Walnut West Library on Monday, Dec. 16, noon to 7 p.m., and Tuesday, Dec. 17, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. This is an annual fundraising event and its priced-to-sell policy remains: most books are still $1 and $2.
As usual, the Friends of Walnut West will use the proceeds to support programs, equipment and supplies at this library branch located at 40th and Walnut. For example, their 2022 sale funds went toward purchasing new desk chairs for the library staff, a new beanbag chair in the Teen Corner, and supplies for several children’s programs.
You can find more details about the library, including events, on the Free Library of Philadelphia website, and the Friends’ Facebook page.
If you’d like to join or volunteer with the WWL Friends, leave your name at the checkout table.
Posted on 03 April 2024 by WestPhillyLocal.com
Easter in March snuck up on the Friends of the Walnut West Library this year, too late to hold our annual Egg Hunt last week – but after so many dreary days of rain this week – what better way to spend this Saturday afternoon outside with the kids!
And the Easter bunny has cordially agreed to stick around one more week! (bring your camera)
Note: Due to scheduling conflicts, we’re holding the event in the afternoon this year.
The Egg Hunt for very young children begins at 2 p.m. And at 3:15 p.m. for not quite so little children (to age 10).
Continue Reading
Posted on 30 November 2023 by WestPhillyLocal.com

Walnut West Library Friends are holding the annual “Huge Holiday Book Sale” at the library located at 40th and Walnut on Tuesday, Dec. 5, noon to 7 p.m. and Wednesday, Dec. 6, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
At the sale, you will find the library’s best donated books, barely used, for all ages and interests, and priced from $1 to $3, with a few as low as $0.50.
Proceeds from this event help pay for programs, supplies and furniture at the library.
Last year’s book sale funds went toward purchasing 10 comfortable desk chairs for the hardworking library staff, a new beanbag chair in the Teen Corner, and a blowout party to launch Librarian Bruce Seibers into retirement, as well as supplies for several children’s programs.
You can find more details about the library, including events, on the Free Library of Philadelphia website, and the Friends’ Facebook page.
(Photo courtesy of Walnut West Library Friends)
Posted on 28 January 2022 by WestPhillyLocal.com
Walnut Street West Library, one of the oldest Free Library of Philadelphia branches, has reopened its doors to the public after last week’s fire in an electrical transformer located under the sidewalk on 40th Street, in front of the library.
“Walnut West [head] librarian Bruce [Siebers] arrived at work early last Thursday morning, January 20, before anyone else. When he turned on the lights, they flickered, then suddenly there was a WHOOSH and black smoke billowed into the rooms,” writes Alice Wells, a member of volunteer group The Friends of Walnut West Library. “He ran outside – smoke was visible from the street too. In moments the block was filled with fire trucks, police cars, an ambulance and PECO and PGW trucks.” Continue Reading
Posted on 05 December 2019 by WestPhillyLocal.com

Community members are invited to a Big Winter Book Sale at Walnut Street West Library, happening this weekend. Come to the library, located on the Southeast corner of 40th and Walnut Streets, on Friday, Dec. 6 from 2 to 4:30 p.m. or Saturday, Dec. 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and shop for pre-owned quality books, culled from the best donations to the Friends of Walnut St. West Library this year.
Books are priced from $0.50 to $5, but most are $1 and $2, featuring fiction and nonfiction, lots of history and classics, coffee-table and art books, cookbooks, children’s books, how-to and much more. Continue Reading
Recent Comments