Free Library of Philadelphia – Independence Branch

A smaller neighborhood library tucked away by a busy street. The selection isn’t as vast as that of PCI or the main library, but I primarily frequent it to pick up movies I placed on hold.
Note that the hours change occasionally.
As of 5÷27÷15, Late hours 12−8p Mon Wed, Open Sat.
Good:
–Friendly staff
–Can place 10 items on hold at a time (107^th for Interstellar?! Shiitake!)
–Membership includes Hoopla (10 borrows/​mo)
–Membership includes OverDrive digital downloads — can read from Web or download to Kindle as loan
–Free. Support your library!
Ok:
–Ok selection of books and DVDs.
–Takes forever to get popular movies on hold.
–Kids. Everywhere.
Bad: (library system/​patrons in general)
–DVDs sometimes scratched to $#!+ and unwatchable. Want to exchange for another DVD? You go to the back of the hold queue!

This is the closest Free Library of Philly branch to my home so I visit on a regular basis, but only to pick up books I’ve requested through the online hold system.
While the location is great and the staff is friendly, the selection is limited, the lighting is poor and it feels more like a DMV than a place to lose yourself in a book. Also, the hours are terrible– I don’t understand why it’s closed most evenings and entirely on weekends (um, hi, people with jobs also like books), so double check before you head over; I’ve found myself locked out more than once.
Granted, I’m spoiled rotten when it comes to libraries. The local library in my hometown was stellar, my college library is a historical architectural landmark, and even the Enoch Pratt in Baltimore was a welcome reprieve from. well. Baltimore.
If you’re looking to get lost in the stacks, try the Central location on the Parkway. But this branch is fine if you just want to run over and grab that book you requested.

This library is a block from my work, and convenient to pop in and out with a new book on my lunch break. The librarians are friendly and while the branch itself is small, the online hold system is awesome– you can request whatever book you desire from another branch and it is SO quick to be delivered to this branch. I utilize the website regularly and feel like I’m finally getting some use out of my tax dollars. ;)

This is one of two branches of the library that is super close to me. I went to get my library card and the librarians who worked with me were very nice and helpful (especially because I don’t yet have an ID with my Philly address on it yet… yay for my Verizon bill on my smartphone having my current address!).
What I have to say next isn’t specific to this location… there is something super awesome about the library as a whole…
Did you know that you can borrow ebooks via the library’s website and download them immediately to your device? This week on my Kindle, I read Sula by Toni Morrison, I just started South of the Border, West of the Sun by Haruki Murakami, and I have two Charles Bukowski books in my queue. All for free. And all without leaving the warmth & comfort of my home.
YAY Free Library!!!

Ok, first off, let me say: I have an English degree, work in publishing, and enjoy books. I also have great respect for the Free Library of Philly in general because they are run tons of cool programs and are generally pretty kick-​ass and awesome.
This being said… this branch kinda sucks. It’s small, and the shelves are super low to the ground, which means everyone kinda stares at you when you walk around. I prefer my libraries giant, with tall shelves you can wander around and get lost in! There’s not enough books in here in to get lost in, and there’s hardly any place to sit. The selection is limited (with the exception of Chinese and LGBT lit… unfortunately not my thing) and I had a hard time finding fiction that I wanted to read. Plus, the last time I visited they were doing construction and the place was a maze of wires.
However, this is the branch of the free library closest to my office, so I sometimes stop by anyway. It’s super-​useful as a pick-​up spot for stuff I reserved online (at
) but if I want to browse tons of books, I’ll head up to the main branch — or to Borders, close by.

Today I woke up in a great mood. Warm weather, sunshine and a full day with a pretty clear schedule. I decided to put on a pair of shorts and longboard it up to the Main Branch of the Library, about a 4 mile round trip from my apartment. My mood was suddenly changed upon arriving at the main branch where a man sweeping the steps informed me I couldn’t enter with my board. «I’m not gonna be skating in there,» I said. «Listen, I just need a new card, I’m gonna be in and out.» He allowed me to pass. Board in hand I went to the desk to receive a new card, the woman seemed annoyed that I had asked her to actually do her job and because I did not have a bill of my current address, refused to issue me a new card.
Fast forward to me at this branch of the Library. I was greeted with «welcomes» and «can I help you find somethings.» The man behind the desk could not have been friendlier and my card was issued without a problem. While this branch is much smaller than some of the others, I will sacrifice selection for service and frequent this 7^th street location from now on.