Queen Memorial Library

Monday, September 22 – Message from Staff

Drop by any day for a free, nutritious afterschool snack! Available to all kids 18 and under.

 

1201 South 23rd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19146-4316
Federal St. between 22nd & 23rd
Open today until 5:00 p.m.
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 Closed

Upcoming Closures

  • Tue., Nov. 11 : Closed Veterans Day
  • Thu., Nov. 27 : Closed Thanksgiving Day
  • Fri., Nov. 28 : Closed Thanksgiving Friday
  • Thu., Dec. 25 : Closed Christmas Day
View all holiday closings

Facilities

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

Upcoming Events

Family Storytime Fridays

Fri, October 31, 2025 10:00 A.M. This event has already happened.

Children 0-5 and their caregivers are invited to Family Storytime with Librarian Kate! We'll read, sing, dance, and play! Storytime will take place in the garden outside of the library; inside during inclement weather.    

Beginner English

Fri, October 31, 2025 10:30 A.M. This event has already happened.

  Wednesdays and Fridays 10:30 am - 12 pm (September 24 - December 5, 2025) Learn and practice English for daily life in this course taught by University of Pennsylvania graduate students. Practice listening, speaking, reading, and writing to build your confidence in using English. For…

Friday LEAP After School Games

Fri, October 31, 2025 3:00 P.M.

Board games and puzzles featured from 3pm-4:45pm in the children's section (or we can move this into the meeting room if it becomes disruptive)

Monday LEAP Art Explorers

Mon, November 3, 2025 3:00 P.M.

Materials for self-guided artwork creation will be available from 3pm-5:45pm in the children's section.  

About

The Queen Memorial Library is located on the lower level of the Landreth Apartments, the former Landreth School. The entrance is on Federal Street between 22nd and 23rd streets. Its amenities include a vibrant children's area, a dynamic space for teens, and a suite of longstanding programs like Chair Yoga for adults and Kids Can Cook culinary classes for kids and teens (temporarily on hiatus due to safety concerns). The library has partnered with UPenn's Graduate School of Education, the Neighborhood Gardens Trust, Union Baptist Church, and many more community partners to offer a variety of events and programs to our patrons.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to see what we're up to!

History

Named in honor of a Philadelphia optician, pioneer microscope maker and philanthropist, the James W. Queen Memorial Library was founded in 1907. It was originally housed in the Hope Presbyterian Church at 33rd and Wharton Streets. This library became the Queen Memorial Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia on December 13, 1912. In 1945, it was relocated to a rented building at 1313-15 Point Breeze Avenue.

Queen Memorial Branch opened in its current location on Tuesday, January 17, 1995 in the Landreth Apartments, a residence for seniors. The building, built in 1889, is a renovated elementary school - the former Landreth School. Mamie Nichols, then Executive Director of the Point Breeze Federation, was a prime leader behind the renovation of the school into a "multi-purpose achievement center."