Walnut Street West Library

201 South 40th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
40th & Walnut Streets
Open today 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 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 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Upcoming Closures

  • Thu., Jun. 19 : Closed Juneteenth
  • Fri., Jul. 4 : Closed Independence Day
  • Thu., Jul. 24 : Opening at 1:00 PM due to staff development
  • Mon., Sep. 1 : Closed Labor 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
  • Screen magnify tools
  • Stella Lighting
  • Street parking (metered)
  • Street parking
  • Water fountain
  • Wireless internet access (wi/fi)
  • ZoomText Keyboard & Special Key Features

Upcoming Events

Read To a Therapy Dog

Mon, June 9, 2025 5:30 P.M.

Readers of all ages can read to Huey, our certified therapy dog!  Both independent readers and those still learning can practice reading skills to gain confidence in reading and interacting with animals.  Yes, you can pet them too! You may wish to call in advance day-of to confirm that…

Baby & Toddler Storytime & Free Play

Tue, June 10, 2025 11:30 A.M.

Join us for books, songs, and dancing! Then stick around for free play with toys!  For ages 5 and under and their caregivers.

Baby Lap Sit Storytime

Wed, June 11, 2025 10:30 A.M.

Join us for lap time with stories, songs, rhymes, and bounces! For ages 2 and under and their caregivers. Siblings are welcome.

中文故事時間 (Chinese Storytime)

Thu, June 12, 2025 10:30 A.M.

来中文故事時間把! 大家全用中文会看书唱吧! Join us for Chinese Storytime! All are welcome to come read, sing, and learn at our storytime entirely in Chinese.

About

Located near the University of Pennsylvania, the Walnut Street West Branch has been serving West Philadelphia since 1906, celebrating its 110 year anniversary in the spring of 2016. The building was fully renovated in 2004, and the entrance was restored to its original location on 40th Street. Located near a parking garage, supermarket, movie theater, bank, and a wide variety of upscale eateries — the library serves the communities of University City, Spruce Hill, Cedar Park, and Garden Court.  

 

History

The Walnut Street West Branch opened on May 28, 1895, making it the fifth Philadelphia Public Library branch. It was housed in a suite of three rooms on the first floor of the West Philadelphia Institute at 40th and Ludlow Streets, and became a branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia on January 1, 1896. After expanding to 5 rooms, the branch moved to the Hamilton School Building, 4105-09 Chestnut Street on May 1901. The branch was known as the West Philadelphia branch at this time.

The building Walnut Street West is currently housed in opened to the public on June 26, 1906. It was the first of thirty libraries funded by a grant from Andrew Carnegie and was built at a cost of $80,387.68 on land donated by Clarence Clark, a West Philadelphia banker. Mr. Clark’s will deeded the land to the city "in perpetuity" as long as a library sat on it. During the first year of operation, 79,683 books were borrowed from the branch. A lecture hall seating 300 people was part of the lower level.

In 1960, the branch added air conditioning and moved the public entrance to Walnut Street. From 1998 to 2004, the library was housed in temporary quarters at 3927 Walnut Street as the facility underwent a complete renovation, adding a second level and making use of “green” environmentally-friendly materials and technology. The entrance was then moved again to the original location on 40th Street. A mural of West Philadelphia scenes by artist Paul Santoleri now welcomes visitors.