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)
| Sunday, 8/24 | Closed |
| Monday, 8/25 | 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday, 8/26 | 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday, 8/27 | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Thursday, 8/28 | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Friday, 8/29 |
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. * |
| Saturday, 8/30 | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
- * Friday had hour changes – preparation for the Labor Day holiday
| 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
- Mon., Sep. 1 : Closed Labor Day
- Mon., Oct. 13 : Closed Indigenous Peoples' Day
- Tue., Nov. 11 : Closed Veterans Day
- Thu., Nov. 27 : Closed Thanksgiving Day
Services
- Book Drop
- Browse Shelves
- Computer Use
- Materials / Holds Pick Up
- Printing Services
- Reference Services
- Wi-Fi
Facilities
- Baby changing station
- Bicycle rack
- Book drop box
- Change machine
- Children's only restroom
- Computer lab
- 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
Visual Playwriting
Sat, August 30, 2025
12:00 P.M.
This program celebrates drawing as a form of storytelling, guiding students through the process of creating a story from beginning to end using a blend of images and words. Over the course of these classes, students will learn the different elements that make up a story (such as character, plot,…
Chess Club @ Coleman
Sat, August 30, 2025
2:00 P.M.
Are you already a chess enthusiast? Or, maybe you want to learn to play chess? Whether you are an experienced chess player or are new to the game, we welcome you to join the Chess Club @ Coleman for some afternoons of chess learning and competition. We will meet on select Saturday afternoons…
Headshot Photos
Tue, September 2, 2025
1:00 P.M.
Get a free headshot photo taken at the library! Headshots are great for enhancing your professional portfolio or LinkdIn profile. No appointments are needed. The last person will be taken 10 minutes before the program's end (today that's by 2:50 p.m.). …
PA CareerLink® Job Search Assistance
Tue, September 2, 2025
2:00 P.M.
Meet with a Community Workforce Connector from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. for one-on-one job search assistance. Get individualized support with résumé development, career counseling, and professional development workshops. Call 1-833-750-5627 to learn more! PA CareerLink®…
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.