Dear West Philly Local editors,

Last week, in a City Council member’s office, I was told they got more calls from West Philadelphia about funding libraries than from any other part of the city! Probably because of you running my library story earlier this year – thank you!

Here’s another announcement:

Join Free Library ‘Friends’ and Staff, before City Council’s Budget Vote Thursday, June 13th. We will gather INSIDE of City Hall on the 4th floor, at 9:30 AM. Please bring your ID to get into the building. All are welcome!
Continue Reading

Two hundred library Friends and staff rallied for Full Library Funding at City Hall in December (Photo courtesy of Friends of Walnut St. West Library).

“Robbing Peter to pay Paul” has become the norm as Free Library branches loan staff to each other so they can keep their doors open. Philadelphia’s public libraries are now operating with skeleton crews, short 150 staff positions system-wide, due to unremedied attrition.

Last weekend, Walnut St. West Librarian Bruce Siebers worked Saturday at the Cecil B. Moore branch, along with three others borrowed from other branches. According to Siebers, Cecil B. Moore Library only has four full-time employees.

Libraries are required to have at least four staff present to open, including a guard. If four are scheduled and one calls in sick… you get the picture. It happened 375 times last year. When neighborhood libraries open late, or not at all, people stop using them.  Continue Reading

Do you like chess and enjoy working with kids? Then consider this volunteer opportunity at the Walnut Street West Library. The library’s Chess Club, which meets every Wednesday from 5:15-7 p.m., is looking for volunteer chess coaches to help its young members, 6 years to 13 years of age. You don’t have to be a chess master, just patient when working with kids.

The Chess Club won the first place in the 2017 MasterMinds Scholastic Summer Chess League Championship.

The library is located at 201 S. 40th Street (corner of 40th and Walnut).

If you are interested to volunteer on a regular basis – once a month or more – please contact Mary Goldman: marylgoldman@gmail.com.

Walnut Street West Library (40th and Walnut) has been closed since Friday and is likely to remain closed all week for air-conditioning system repairs. The Library Friends’ Friday book sale and other events and programs have also been cancelled.

The library reported on Friday that the temperature was in the low 90s on the second floor. The library experienced similar problems last summer and was closed on hottest days.

The library staff posted the following message on its Facebook page:

“We continue to experience excessive heat in the building (85*F +), and will not be able to open to the public until repairs are initiated.  Continue Reading

Many of you have checked out books or taken your kids for activities to the Walnut Street West Library at the corner of 40th and Walnut. This Saturday, the library is celebrating its 110th anniversary, and this is a perfect opportunity to visit on this special day – to thank the staff for all the work they’ve been doing and to celebrate with them.

A lot of fun activities are being planned throughout the day, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., for children, adults, and families, such as live music and singing performances, storytimes, chess coaching, salsa and zumba classes, cake, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream sampling, and more.

Library and city officials will also speak at the event. Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell will read a resolution from City Council, followed by remarks and cake at 2 p.m.

The party will take place rain or shine, with activities outside as weather permits. For more information and event and activities schedule, visit the Friends of Walnut Street West Library website.

The Walnut Street West Library serves the communities of University City and Spruce Hill and is one of the most used Free Library of Philadelphia branches.  Continue Reading

Unfortunately, Walnut Street West Library at 40th and Walnut is closed again due to an unexpected building emergency. The staff are cautiously optimistic that they will be able to reopen by Monday, Aug. 31. The library was closed for a few days earlier this month because of HVAC issues.

Please check the library’s Facebook page for updates.