Falls of Schuylkill Library

Monday, June 23 – Message from Staff

Due to lack of AC - the Main Library is closed.  We are offering Materials Pickup Services from the Meeting Room (Midvale Entrance) during our regular operating hours

3501 Midvale Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19129-1633
Warden Dr. & Midvale Ave.
Closed Today
Sunday, 6/29 Closed
Monday, 6/30 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, 7/1 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, 7/2 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, 7/3 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday, 7/4 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Closed *
Saturday, 7/5 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • * Friday had hour changes – Independence Day
Sunday Closed
Monday 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Upcoming Closures

  • Fri., Jul. 4 : Closed Independence Day
  • Mon., Sep. 1 : Closed Labor Day
  • Thu., Sep. 11 : Opening at 1:00 PM due to staff development
  • Mon., Oct. 13 : Closed Indigenous Peoples' Day
View all holiday closings

Facilities

  • Baby changing station
  • Book drop box
  • Community Fridge
  • Computers for public use
  • Electrical outlets available
  • Handicapped accessible
  • Meeting space (reservation required)
  • Photocopier (black/white)
  • Printing (black/white)
  • Public restrooms
  • Street parking (free)
  • Street parking (metered)
  • Water fountain
  • Wireless internet access (wi/fi)

Upcoming Events

Falls Book Club

Mon, June 30, 2025 5:30 P.M.

Join the Falls Book Club - one of the Free Library's longest running programs. The book selection for this month will be The House of Broken Bricks , by Fiona Williams. The group is open to all and new members are welcome. Our Book Club meets generally on the last Monday of the…

Mystery, Mayhem, and Murder...

Tue, July 8, 2025 4:00 P.M.

If you love mysteries and thrillers, join us for our book club! As a genre, mysteries span countries, cultures, and historic periods, varying in tone, pace, and characterization.  From the hardboiled to the cozy, from the plodding of a procedural to the twisty legal thriller, there are…

Eagles Eye Mobile at the Library

Thu, July 24, 2025 10:00 A.M.

This summer, the Eagles Eye Mobile, powered by Vision to Learn, is providing no-cost eye exams and glasses for children in grades K-12 who have previously failed a vision screening or are having vision problems.  Visit the link below to schedule an exam appointment for your child (available…

Mystery, Mayhem, and Murder...

Tue, August 12, 2025 4:00 P.M.

If you love mysteries and thrillers, join us for our book club! As a genre, mysteries span countries, cultures, and historic periods, varying in tone, pace, and characterization.  From the hardboiled to the cozy, from the plodding of a procedural to the twisty legal thriller, there are…

About

Located at the intersection of Midvale Avenue, Warden Drive, and Conrad Street, the Falls of Schuylkill Branch has a lovely garden tended by volunteers. The branch serves the community of East Falls with a variety of programs for all ages.

History

Industrial activity marked the early history of the Schuylkill River and nearby waterways. Even before the fishery of Fort St. Davids was established by Welshmen at the Falls of the Schuylkill in 1734, other settlers were building mills along the Wissahickon and the Falls Creeks.

Don't bother trying to find the Schuylkill Falls themselves, however. The Fairmount Dam, constructed in 1822, raised the river's water level and obliterated the rapids. The area near the present library was a brewery from 1873 to 1894. After it fell into disrepair, the springs turned it into a swimming hole.

The first library in East Falls opened on June 1, 1901 as a Deposit Station on the second floor of the Old Academy, the first community center in Philadelphia. It was built in 1819 as a place of education and worship. Since 1932, the building has been used as a theater, and was the scene of Grace Kelly's acting debut.

Featuring English Collegiate architecture, the current library opened on November 18, 1913. The building was funded by Andrew Carnegie, and the land was donated by William H. Merrick and the Warden Estate. The library was renovated in 1997 as part of the "Changing Lives" campaign, which refurbished branches and ensured Internet access.

Atop the library, you'll see a catfish weathervane on the cupola. The preschool center also features a catfish. They are symbols of the thousands of catfish that thronged the Schuylkill River two centuries ago, when East Falls was known as Fort St. Davids. One fisherman in the 1830's caught 3,000 in one night with his dip net. Catfish and waffles were a popular meal in the inns and taverns that surrounded the river.

While you visit, take a look at the beautiful garden outside the library. It has been maintained by a dedicated group of volunteers since the late 1980's.