Philadelphia City Institute
| Sunday, 2/22 | Closed |
| Monday, 2/23 |
Closed * |
| Tuesday, 2/24 | 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday, 2/25 |
10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. * |
| Thursday, 2/26 | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Friday, 2/27 | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, 2/28 | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
- * Monday had hour changes – snow emergency
- * Wednesday had hour changes – Due to staff shortage. Materials pick up services offered 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.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
- Fri., Apr. 3 : Closed Good Friday
- Sun., Apr. 5 : Closed Easter
- Mon., May. 25 : Closed Memorial Day
- Fri., Jun. 19 : Closed Juneteenth
Have a general question about the Free Library of Philadelphia? Call our helpline or Contact us.
Services
- Book Drop
- Browse Shelves
- Computer Use
- Materials / Holds Pick Up
- Printing Services
- Reference Services
- Wi-Fi
Facilities
- Bicycle rack
- Book drop box
- Computers for public use
- Printing (black/white)
- Public restrooms
- Scanner
- Street parking
- Wireless internet access (wi/fi)
Upcoming Events
Thu, February 26, 2026
3:30 P.M.
Kids Gardening Club is now Kids Nature Club! Come join us in the children's room for crafts and activities with an emphasis on nature and sustainability.
Fri, February 27, 2026
2:00 P.M.
Mondays and Fridays 2:00-3:30 pm (January 26th - May 1st, 2026) 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 beginners.…
Fri, February 27, 2026
3:00 P.M.
Looking for something to do on a Friday afternoon? Come play video games with us! There will be snacks along with random banter--just drop in! This program runs every Friday the library is open from 3 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. Located in the meeting room on the ground floor.
Sat, February 28, 2026
10:30 A.M.
Join us on Saturdays for a music class perfect for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. Miss Molly's classes incorporate early childhood literacy skills while encouraging music appreciation and having fun! This series takes place on the first Saturday of each month: January 3, February…
About
Located on the first floor and lower level of a high-rise apartment building on the west side of Rittenhouse Square, PCI serves the communities of Rittenhouse Square, Fitler Square, and people who live and work in Center City west of Broad Street.
History
The Philadelphia City Institute Board of Managers is a non-profit organization that has supported a free library in Center City, Philadelphia since 1855. The Philadelphia City Institute Library (PCI) has had three locations first, in 1855, on the northeast corner of 18th and Chestnut Streets. It moved to 218 S 19th St in 1923. In 1956 it moved to the current location at 1905 Locust Street, facing Rittenhouse Square. This independent library joined the city wide Free Library of Philadelphia system in 1944. Today, the PCI Library continues to function as a branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia. The PCI Managers maintain ownership of the premises and the assets; with endowment income, they also provide operational support and funding for augmented staff, new materials, and equipment.
The PCI Board of Managers’ object was “the promotion of the moral and intellectual improvement of young persons by means of a Library and Reading Room, Lectures and class instruction, and such other measures as the Board of Managers may adopt.” Weekly lectures by prominent Philadelphians and free night schools were important activities of PCI in its early years. Initially these were reserved for young men, but PCI soon decided to “extend the advantages of the Institute to females.”
