Joseph E. Coleman Northwest Regional Library
Starting August 20 - Stop by after school and eat a light supper! We have a program for students enrolled in pre-K through 12th grade that provides a light boxed meal, which will be available most weekdays, starting at 3:30 p.m. Meals must be eaten at the library.
On School District of Philadelphia early dismissal days, we will be serving the meals from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. (September 26, October 17, November 13, January 9, February 5 & 13, March 27, April 16, and May 8)
Upcoming Events
Placement Testing for ESL Classes with CCoP
Mon, September 22, 2025
11:00 A.M.
Joseph E. Coleman Northwest Regional Library
Click here to register for a test date and view the class schedule. Community College of Philadelphia is offering English as a Second Language (ESL) prep classes beginning 10/6/2025. There is no cost to you and textbooks will be provided. Interested learners must complete a placement…
Congress Comes to You with Congressman Dwight Evans
Mon, September 22, 2025
4:30 P.M.
Joseph E. Coleman Northwest Regional Library
We are bringing constituent services to your community. Stop by and see Team Evans! Congressman Dwight Evans will drop by with members of his office to answer constituent questions and help with federal services. From issues with passports, immigration, the Postal Service, IRS, Social Security,…
Algarabía: An Epic Poem
Mon, September 22, 2025
5:00 P.M.
Joseph E. Coleman Northwest Regional Library
Cost: FREE
Join us for a reading of Roque Raquel Salas Rivera's new book of poetry Algarabía , his trans epic. Salas Rivera will be joined by poets Tongo Eisen-Martin, Raina J. León and Kirwyn Sutherland in celebrating poetry and belonging. Roque Raquel Salas Rivera is a Puerto…
Advanced English Conversation Group
Mon, September 22, 2025
5:30 P.M.
Joseph E. Coleman Northwest Regional Library
We host a weekly conversation table for advanced English Language learners. Our informal group talks and learns together emphasizing casual conversation, idiomatic expression, and often, humor. We will meet most Mondays from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.on the 2nd floor. Adults are welcome to join us.
About
Originally, the Germantown Branch Library, in 2002, the library was renamed in honor of Joseph E. Coleman, Philadelphia's first African-American City Council President. The library serves Northwest Philadelphia and features Regional Ricky, a life-size, reader-friendly dragon.
History
Germantown was founded in 1683, one year after William Penn founded Philadelphia. Many historic events occurred in Germantown, including the first public protest against slavery in English America (1688), and the Battle of Germantown (1777). Germantown Avenue, a block away from Coleman Northwest Regional Library, is an old Indian trail called Main Street by the first settlers.
In 1895, Germantown Branch Library opened in Vernon Hall at Chelten and Germantown Avenues. The library moved to Vernon House, known at the time as Wister Mansion, in 1898. Vernon House is currently located in the center of Vernon Park a half block north of Chelten Avenue between Germantown Avenue and Greene Street.
In 1907, a new Carnegie library building opened in Vernon Park. It served as the Germantown Branch Library until Tuesday, July 25, 1978, when the Northwest Regional Library officially opened to the public. Northwest was the third regional library in the Free Library system. In 1986, Center in the Park, an activity center for older adults, opened in the former Germantown Branch Library.
Northwest Regional Library was renovated in 1997 as part of the "Changing Lives" campaign, which brought Internet service to every library. In 2002, the Northwest Regional Library was renamed the Joseph E. Coleman Northwest Regional Library. Coleman served City Council for 20 years, and he was for 12 years (1980-1992) the first African-American president of Philadelphia City Council. As a member of City Council, Mr. Coleman worked for the development of the Northwest Regional Library and its location at the corner of Chelten Avenue and Greene Street.
The Dragon Sculpture by Stewart Paul was originally installed in the children's department, but has since been moved to the lobby, where it overlooks the amphitheatre and the children's department. The mural of medieval knights and a variety of animals was painted by Richard Watson.