Walnut Street West Library (40th and Walnut) has been closed since Friday and is likely to remain closed all week for air-conditioning system repairs. The Library Friends’ Friday book sale and other events and programs have also been cancelled.

The library reported on Friday that the temperature was in the low 90s on the second floor. The library experienced similar problems last summer and was closed on hottest days.

The library staff posted the following message on its Facebook page:

“We continue to experience excessive heat in the building (85*F +), and will not be able to open to the public until repairs are initiated. 

We are deeply upset by this matter, as the local staff care greatly about the support and welfare of our patrons. Information regarding the pickup of items on “hold” will be forthcoming. All scheduled programs will be cancelled pending the reopening of the library. We will continue to update you as we know more about the situation.”

Please call 215-685-7671 before visiting this Philadelphia Free Library branch to confirm service. You can also visit the following West and and Southwest Philadelphia branches:

Charles Durham Branch
3320 Haverford Avenue
215-685-7436

Kingsessing Branch
1201 South 51st Street
215-685-2690

Blanche A. Nixon / Cobbs Creek Branch
5800 Cobbs Creek Parkway
215-685-1973

Another West Philly library, Lucien E. Blackwell Library (52nd and Sansom), has been closed since the beginning of the year for maintenance.