Widener Library
🏢 Free Library of Philadelphia · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Widener Library
Named for H. Josephine Widener and serving North Philadelphia's Strawberry Mansion and Allegheny West neighborhoods since 1900, this glass-fronted branch at 28th and Lehigh pairs afterschool homework support with storytimes, a social worker on site, and the full digital catalog of the Free Library of Philadelphia.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–6pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–6pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–5pm |
| Thursday | 10am–5pm |
| Friday | 10am–5pm |
| Saturday | 10am–5pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 2808 West Lehigh Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19132
Phone: (215) 685-9799
Website: libwww.freelibrary.org
Plus Code: 87F6XRWC+MX (Philadelphia, PA)
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📖 About Widener Library
The Widener Library traces its roots to 1900, when Philadelphia streetcar magnate Peter A. B. Widener donated his Broad Street mansion to the Free Library of Philadelphia as a memorial to his late wife, H. Josephine Widener, who had died in 1896. The branch operated from that mansion until 1946, when it was sold and the proceeds used to purchase a former bank building at 2531 West Lehigh Avenue; in 2005 the library moved again to its current purpose-built glass-fronted home three blocks east at 2808 West Lehigh Avenue. Today Widener is part of the 54-branch Free Library of Philadelphia system and serves the communities of North Central Philadelphia, Strawberry Mansion, and Allegheny West. The building's interior features an African Plains discovery theme with hidden decorative elements woven throughout, giving young visitors a reason to explore every corner of the space.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Named the H. Josephine Widener Memorial Branch in 1900 — one of Philadelphia's earliest neighborhood branch libraries
- Purpose-built glass-fronted building opened in 2005 at 2808 W Lehigh Ave, with an African Plains discovery theme inside
- Project LEAP after-school program offers homework help, computer literacy and multicultural enrichment for grades 1–12 (September–June)
- Weekly storytime with Ms. Adrianna on Fridays at 11 a.m. for children ages 3–5 (stories, songs & rhymes)
- Open Office Hours with a social worker to help community members navigate government and community services
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Widener cardholders access Pennsylvania's statewide digital collections and the Free Library's own e-lending platform:
📚 Services
- Project LEAP after-school program (grades 1–12, Sep–Jun): homework help, computer literacy, library skills & multicultural enrichment
- Open Office Hours with a licensed social worker for community navigation and referrals
- Children's storytime with Ms. Adrianna (Fridays 11 a.m., ages 3–5)
- Manga club for teen anime and manga fans
- LEGO building sessions and Nintendo Switch gaming
- Public computers, printing and free Wi-Fi
- Free Library of Philadelphia shared catalog — one card borrows at all 54 FLP branches
🎸 Programs
- Project LEAP afterschool program (grades 1–12)
- Friday storytime for ages 3–5
- Science in the Summer (grades 2–6 hands-on STEM experiments)
- Manga club for teens
- Crafting programs and creative afternoons
- Social worker open office hours
📍 Nearby Libraries in Philadelphia
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Philadelphia · Browse all Pennsylvania libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who was H. Josephine Widener, and why is this branch named after her?
H. Josephine Widener was the wife of Peter A. B. Widener, the Philadelphia-born businessman who parlayed Civil War meat-supply contracts into control of the city's streetcar network. When Josephine died in 1896, Peter donated the family's Broad Street mansion to the Free Library of Philadelphia in her memory, establishing the H. Josephine Widener Memorial Branch in 1900 — making it one of the city's earliest neighborhood library branches.
What is Project LEAP and who can participate at Widener Library?
Project LEAP (Library Education Assistance Program) is the Free Library's after-school program for students in grades 1 through 12. Running September through June, it provides homework assistance, computer literacy instruction, library research skills and multicultural enrichment activities. Students can drop in at the Widener Library branch after school during open hours.
Has the Widener Library always been at 2808 West Lehigh Avenue?
No — the branch has had three homes. It started in the Widener Mansion at Broad Street and Girard Avenue (1900–1946), then moved to a renovated former bank building at 2531 West Lehigh Avenue, and finally relocated in 2005 to the current purpose-built glass-fronted building three blocks east at 2808 West Lehigh Avenue, serving the Strawberry Mansion and Allegheny West neighborhoods.
Is the Widener Library open on weekends, and are there children's programs on Saturdays?
The library is open Monday and Tuesday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m., and closed on Sundays. The regular Friday storytime with Ms. Adrianna (ages 3–5, 11 a.m.) and other drop-in programs run during open hours; check the Free Library's events calendar at libwww.freelibrary.org for the current weekly schedule.
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