Charles Santore Library

The Charles Santore library is in South Philly located on 7^th and Carpenter. It is a medium sized library that is pretty easy to navigate and find things. They have a big new release section if you’re looking for suggestions to read. Their sections have all the basics and it is easy to request something from another library and pick it up here. There always seems to be free parking around library times however it is only 2 hours. They also have kids’ activities and a good children’ section.

Ah, Santore Branch, I like you. I usually know what I’m looking for when I walk into a library, but sometimes that takes the fun out of things. At this library I always stumble upon a few books I had been meaning to read, which makes me happy. The last time I was there, over the weekend, there were a bunch of books on pets (fiction and nonfiction) in the new book area, which was really cool.
I think I almost gave the older guy at the counter a heart attack when he saw that I had racked up $ 16.25 in overdue book fines. He acted like he had never seen such a thing, and asked if I wanted to pay it off all at once or just pay a little as I go. (Ha ha!)
It’s a good thing that I walk to this branch and have to carry the books home. Otherwise, I’m sure I’d sign out 10 at once and accumulate even more fines.

I’m so glad Elizabeth reviewed this branch because it is my, hands down, favorite branch too! I frequent PCI and Independence Branch, and they don’t hold a candle to the Santore branch. The new book selection here is amazing; books that I’ve been dying to read just magically grace the shelves. It is open and inviting, and I end up checking out more books than I could ever think to read in my allotted time.

I love the Free Library and this is my favorite branch. It’s really close to where I live so that’s an obvious perk, but the staff here is so friendly — it seems like they really go the extra mile to help out. The other day when the system said one of my holds was there but I couldn’t find it, they practically turned the place upside down looking for it. It was really nice and totally unnecessary.
I wouldn’t say any of the branches have a huge book selection — you really have to go to the main library for that. I am down with the hold system because everything comes in fairly quickly. They do have a lot of DVDs here. It seems like their main focus is on the kids section and events/​activities for kids, which is great for the neighborhood.
This location was closed for renovations earlier this year, but when it re-​opened I didn’t really notice anything different. It’s not super modern or anything inside, but does it really need to be? I like that they have a book drop here, though they lock it during business hours.