Free Library of Philadelphia – Chestnut Hill Branch

Beautiful building in a great neighborhood. Interior is what you’d expect from an older library with the exception of the amount of LOUD and disruptive noises created by the numerous amount of toddlers allowed to run free, scream, play instruments and misbehave. Apparently the children are brought in by the local daycare center located next door. I was informed by the front desk that the head librarian has instructed the staff to ignore the constant disruption and not to address it.
what ever happened to teaching children to behave in a respectable manner in the library and why is this jerk of a head librarian in charge? If she likes this atmosphere, she should consider working at Chuck-​E-​Cheese or a day care center where such behavior is appropriate.
If you need to conduct research or are looking for a quiet place to read, avoid this library at all cost. You’ll have better luck going across the street to the Chestnut Hill Coffee house.

Stately stone building with tall, arched windows and high, high ceilings; enter the Chestnut Hill Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia and leave the hustle and bustle of the world outside. Take a deep breath, exhale, and start to browse.
Here is an extensive collection of non-​fiction material (loads of historical Philadelphia items). Find an old favorite or something brand new in the full and varied fiction collection, borrow an eclectic assortment of music CDs, audiobooks, or DVDs. Both adult and children’s material.
The branch manager is an expert on the community, on the collection, and the connections between the two. The children’s librarian is friendly, knowledgeable, and never met a child she couldn’t wow with a good book. And, on that rare occasion, the item you want isn’t in the branch, either librarian will take your request and get the item for you (usually within a week). The branch manager has been known to stop at the nearby Borders, pick up popular titles, and add them to the collection when demand is high.
On Tuesday Evenings, enjoy an old movie classic shown on the branch’s own reel-​to-​reel movie projector. Something about a classic shown in the classic format in an elegant, inviting setting.
Check out the idyllic bower (designed and funded by the Friends of the Chestnut Hill Library) around behind the building. Secluded and sylvan, what a great place to begin that novel you just borrowed!
For the epitome in elegant and gracious public libraries, visit Chestnut Hill Branch Library.