Current Renovations
Blanche A. Nixon/Cobbs Creek Library
Closure date: 9/1/2023
As part of the City's Rebuild Program, a historic investment of $400 million into parks, recreation centers and libraries, Blanche A. Nixon /Cobbs Creek Library is undergoing a $6.5 million renovation that will include:
- New Amphitheater
- New Walking Paths
- ADA Upgrades
- Blanche A Nixon Memorial Art Sculpture
- New play area with interactive play panels
- New windows, exterior doors, lighting, and furnishings
- Elevator installation
Program Relocation
Program and service relocation will be updated on this page and reflected below.
Relocated, if so, where?
- Circulating books/movies/etc: Blackwell Regional Library
- Internet access on our PCs: Blackwell Regional Library
- Wi-Fi access: Blackwell Regional Library
- Printing / Photocopying / Scanning: Blackwell Regional Library
- Storytime: Blackwell Regional Library
- LEAP: Blackwell Regional Library
- Reference services: Blackwell Regional Library
- CareerLink tabling: Blackwell Regional Library (held on Wednesdays)
Lawncrest Library
Closure date: 8/4/2023
As part of the City's Rebuild Program, a historic investment of $400 million into parks, recreation centers and libraries, Lawncrest is undergoing a $3.4 million renovation that will include:
- New computer, teen, and soft -seating area
- New glass-enclosed meeting rooms
- New kitchenette in the community room
- New ADA ramp to the front entrance and ADA restroom
- New HVAC, electric, and plumbing
- New windows, furniture, flooring, lighting, and paint throughout
- New and improved pathways and landscaping
View the proposed renovation plans of Lawncrest Library in detail.
Program Relocation
Program and service relocation will be updated on this page and reflected below.
Relocated, if so, where?
- Circulating books/movies/etc:
Bushrod Library, Fox Chase Library, Greater Olney Library - Internet access on our PCs:
Fox Chase Library, Greater Olney Library, Northeast Regional Library - Wi-Fi access:
Bushrod Library, Fox Chase Library, Greater Olney Library - Printing / Photocopying / Scanning:
Bushrod Library, Fox Chase Library, Greater Olney Library - Storytime:
Bushrod Library, Fox Chase Library, Greater Olney Library - LEAP:
Bushrod Library, Fox Chase Library, Greater Olney Library
Frankford Library
Closure date: 12/2/2022
Thanks to private funding from individuals, foundations, and corporations to the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation*, Frankford is undergoing a $5.5 million renovation that will include:
- Lobby: new work counters with charging stations, new elevator
- Second floor: expanded Children's Department with family restroom, new teen area, quiet study rooms, new furniture and flooring
- Basement: renovated restrooms, lactation room, meeting room space
- Building Exterior: new entryway, new exterior signage, new windows
- Outside: newly planted trees
Your library card is accepted at all Free Library branches. Some of the nearest include:
- Bushrod Library (6304 Castor Ave)
- Holmesburg Library (7810 Frankford Ave)
- McPherson Square Library (601 E Indiana Ave.)
- Northeast Regional Library (2228 Cottman Ave.)
- Tacony Library (6742 Torresdale Ave.)
Services available upon request:
- Library card registration drives (with organizations)
- School and day care visits
- Tables / participation at community events
- Joint programs with partners
Email us at FRKrenovate@freelibrary.org with any questions or concerns, or for updates about upcoming public engagement events, construction, and other information.
* Frankford Library's renovation is supported by William Penn Foundation; Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program; Office of Commonwealth Libraries, Pennsylvania Department of Education, with funds provided from the Keystone Recreation, Park, and Conservation Fund; Patrick J. McGovern Foundation; and The McLean Contributionship through the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation.
Paschalville Library
Closure date: 11/18/2022
As part of the City's Rebuild Program, a historic investment of $400 million into parks, recreation centers, and libraries, Paschalville is undergoing a $12 million renovation that will include:
- New ramp at the front of the building
- Limited Use Limited Access (LULA) elevator for ADA accessibility
- Four (4) new ADA-accessible bathrooms
- New interior staircase for dual-level access
- New media station/study hub
- Outdoor landscape design includes a story circle for children, a plaza, new plantings, and ADA accessibility
Program Relocation
Program and service relocation will be updated on this page and reflected below.
Relocated, if so, where?
- Circulating books/movies/etc: Eastwick Library
- Internet access on our PCs: Eastwick Library
- Wi-Fi access: Eastwick Library
- Printing / Photocopying / Scanning: Eastwick Library
- Storytime: Eastwick Library
- LEAP: Eastwick Library
- Reference services: Eastwick Library
Kingsessing Library
Closure date: 10/14/2022
As part of the City's Rebuild Program, a historic investment of $400 million into parks, recreation centers and libraries, Kingsessing is undergoing a $7 million renovation that will include:
- New teen and child reading area
- New roof, windows, doors
- Refurbished masonry
- New elevator
- New furniture, fixtures and finishes
- New windows will bring more light into the space
- New lighting improvements on the exterior and interior
- HVAC improvements
Program Relocation
Program and service relocation will be updated on this page and reflected below.
Relocated, if so, where?
- Circulating books/movies/etc: Blackwell Regional Library
- Internet access on our PCs: Blackwell Regional Library
- Wi-Fi access: Blackwell Regional Library
- Printing / Photocopying / Scanning: Blackwell Regional Library
- Storytime: Blackwell Regional Library
- LEAP: Blackwell Regional Library
- Weekly COVID testing (Tuesday): no
- Weekly CareerLink tabling (Thursday): Blackwell Regional Library, Wednesdays
- Reference services: Blackwell Regional Library
- Food distribution via Rev Furlow is ongoing on the corner of 51st and Kingsessing
Long Term Closings
The following locations are closed for an extended period of time. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Due to building renovations.
- Blanche A. Nixon/Cobbs Creek Library
- Frankford Library
- Kingsessing Library
- Lawncrest Library
- Paschalville Library