November 30, 2017
Courtesy of Free Library of Philadelphia/PhillyVoice
We found the perfect place for you to read all day. It's your job to find the perfect book.
As part of the Free Library of Philadelphia's Building Inspiration: 21st Century Libraries Initiative, the Lillian Marrero, Logan, Lovett Memorial and Tacony libraries received extensive modernization and expansion.
Both the Lillian Marrero and Logan libraries reopened in November. The Tacony library will reopen Saturday, Dec. 2 and the Lovett Memorial library will reopen Saturday, Dec. 16.
The Free Library collaborated with architect James. R. Keller, who specializes in design and planning for libraries, to reimagine the neighborhood spaces.
The updates were made possible by a historic $25 million gift from the William Penn Foundation – the largest private gift ever received by the Free Library – as well as a number of private individuals, institutional funders and the City of Philadelphia.
Below are photos of some of the new, state-of-the-art spaces.
Its programming emphasizes early-childhood literacy. There's also a focus on resources for new Americans, including expanded bilingual resources.
Courtesy of Free Library of Philadelphia/PhillyVoiceThe updated Lillian Marrero library.
Courtesy of Free Library of Philadelphia/PhillyVoiceLots of natural light inside the updated Lillian Marrero library.
Courtesy of Free Library of Philadelphia/PhillyVoiceInside the Lillian Marrero library.
This library has a focus on family literacy and includes a new reading garden.
Courtesy of Free Library of Philadelphia/PhillyVoiceThe Logan library.
Courtesy of Free Library of Philadelphia/PhillyVoiceInside the updated Logan library.
Courtesy of Free Library of Philadelphia/PhillyVoiceThe updated Logan library has plenty of comfy spots to read a book.
Courtesy of Free Library of Philadelphia/PhillyVoiceA wide view of the inside of Logan library.
There will be a new Small Business Resource Center. It was developed in response to the work of the Tacony Community Development Corporation, which has been working to establish the neighborhood as a quality destination for shopping and dining.
Courtesy of Free Library of Philadelphia/PhillyVoiceThe Tacony library.
Courtesy of Free Library of Philadelphia/PhillyVoiceRead a book by the window at the updated Tacony library.
Courtesy of Free Library of Philadelphia/PhillyVoiceInside the updated Tacony library.
Courtesy of Free Library of Philadelphia/PhillyVoiceAnother view of the inside of the updated Tacony library.
Courtesy of Free Library of Philadelphia/PhillyVoiceOutside the Lovett Memorial library.
