Fix Our Libraries BEFORE They Crumble & Close
Fix Our Libraries BEFORE They Crumble & Close
The Issue
My 10 and 7 year-old daughters have grown up as avid (often weekly) users of our Philadelphia neighborhood library, which has been closed for 4-5 months and counting. There has been some localized outcry and minimal media coverage of this closure... same goes for the closure of other libraries when it occurs.
The fact of the matter is this: mismanagement of Philadelphia library facilities has been a slow-burning crisis that has boiled over in the last two years. Below I've included a summary of the problem as well as proposed solutions to the negligence.
This budget season, Free Library reform is in order.
Fix Our Libraries BEFORE They Crumble & Close.
What is the issue?
Philadelphia’s public libraries infrastructure is in crisis. At any given time over the past two years, branch after branch have closed repeatedly – due to preventable heating, cooling, and structural failures. Entire communities have lost access to vital resources: literacy programs, after-school support, internet access, safe gathering spaces, and shelter during extreme weather. These closures affect neighborhoods where libraries are essential lifelines. When a boiler fails or a ceiling leaks, it’s not just an inconvenience – it’s a blow to families who rely on these public institutions every day.
These are not isolated incidents. They are part of a systemic pattern of neglect that leaves entire neighborhoods without access to essential services.
In the summer of 2024, more than 20 branches shut down – some repeatedly – due to failed air conditioning systems. West Oak Lane Library was closed for over seven weeks. At one point, more than a third of all Free Library locations were offline simultaneously.
Then came winter. In November 2024, seven libraries – including Bustleton, Bushrod, Richmond, Overbrook Park, Roxborough, Welsh Road, and Wynnefield – were closed indefinitely due to broken boilers and failed heating systems. Richmond Library closed on November 13, due to an unforeseen roof failure and fears of ceiling collapse. It has remained closed for 5 months and counting, with no firm reopening in sight. Like the HVAC issues, the roof could’ve been preemptively inspected and proactively addressed months before the problem compounded and forced the library to close its doors.
In early 2025, Widener Library in North Philadelphia – often utilized as a safe haven and warming space – was shuttered on one of the coldest days of the year. Patrons arrived to locked doors and freezing temperatures. These closures disrupt homework help, after-school programs, senior gatherings, and access to books, computers, and warmth.
It’s not just HVAC problems. The Nicetown-Tioga branch was forced to close for over six months following the April 2024 earthquake, revealing deep structural vulnerabilities that had long gone unaddressed.
This isn’t arbitrary bad luck. We can predict the following: Every year, it gets very hot in the summer, and it gets very cold in the winter. Old buildings need proactive and preventative maintenance.
My daughters miss our library, for sure. But we can visit the Central Library and get our book holds from another branch. We can use the Libby app to borrow books electronically. What about the Philadelphians who can’t do this or rely on the many critical programs and community services offered at our libraries?
Why have the facilities been neglected? Who’s in charge?
Earlier this year, an online petition was created for the Richmond Library. For any real change to happen, a reform effort must be broad sweeping, from the top down. The Free Library of Philadelphia is not directly controlled by the Mayor’s office or City Council, but instead has an independent Board of Trustees and rolls up to the Office of Children and Families.
Why has the library infrastructure been mismanaged, and what can be done to address the leadership failure? Library administration and the Office of Children and Families leadership are the only ones who can directly answer that question (if an answer exists). There is no public-facing budget or strategic plan. There is no collaborative planning process beyond closed doors. All we see is meaningless public statements when libraries close; just the same “We’re working on it” quotes from a spokesperson or facilities mid-manager, over and over.
The Free Library received $50 million of city funding in 2024. How has this money been spent? This budget season, they will undoubtedly ask for more.
How can we do better?
Simply put, the problem can be addressed with two words: Transparency and Accountability. The Free Library is managing its buildings without either. More funding without sound management will not solve the problem… case in point: Rebuild funds for the Richmond Library. Without transparency and accountability, allocating more funding in this scenario is like giving more money to a slumlord.
To address the ongoing issues plaguing Philadelphia's library infrastructure, it's imperative to adopt a proactive and transparent approach to facilities management. A commendable model for such an approach can be found within our own city – the School District of Philadelphia (SDP).
Learning from the School District of Philadelphia's Facilities Planning Process
The SDP has implemented a comprehensive Facilities Planning Process (FPP) that emphasizes transparency, community engagement, and strategic long-term planning. Key components of this process include:
- Structured Planning Phases: Since June 2022, the SDP has been executing an eight-phase FPP aligned with their five-year strategic plan, Accelerate Philly. This structured approach ensures systematic assessment and improvement of school facilities.
- Community Involvement: Recognizing the importance of stakeholder input, the SDP initiated a Facilities Planning Process Listening and Learning Tour during Phase 8. This tour involved community conversations to gather feedback from students, families, teachers, and local residents, ensuring that the facilities plan reflects the needs and priorities of the community.
- Transparent Communication: The SDP maintains open lines of communication by providing regular updates on the FPP's progress. They publish summaries of stakeholder feedback, outline upcoming phases, and offer opportunities for continued community engagement.
- Learning Networks: To enhance support and oversight, the SDP has reorganized its Learning Network structure. These networks group schools geographically, facilitating better resource allocation, decreased travel time for assistant superintendents, and increased engagement with grassroots and faith-based organizations.
Proposed Actions for the Free Library of Philadelphia
Drawing inspiration from the SDP's approach, the Free Library could implement the following measures to improve facilities management:
- Develop a Comprehensive Facilities Plan: Establish a multi-phase plan that includes a detailed budget, and outlines short-term and long-term goals for library maintenance and upgrades, ensuring systematic and proactive management of facilities. Make it available to the public.
- Engage the Community: Host listening sessions and forums to gather input from library patrons, staff, and local residents. This engagement will help identify pressing issues and prioritize projects that align with diverse community needs.
- Introduce Transparency: Regularly publish updates on the status of library facilities, planned maintenance, and ongoing projects. Providing accessible information fosters trust and keeps the public and city leadership informed about administration’s efforts.
- Establish Accountability Measures: Clearly define and make public – roles and responsibilities within library administration for facilities management. As part of the upcoming budget hearing proceedings, require submission of the Comprehensive Facilities Plan, including a detailed budget with line items directed tied to the Plan’s phases and individual projects. As a condition of funding, mandate publicly available quarterly updates on the Plan’s phases and projects. (As a vastly superior alternative to the current reactive, weakly conceived, narrowly focused blog posts.)
By adopting these strategies, or frankly, any similar strategies, the Free Library of Philadelphia can begin the transition from a negligent, reactive approach to a proactive, transparent, and community-centered model of facilities management; ensuring that our libraries remain open, safe, and welcoming for all… in every season, year after year.
336
The Issue
My 10 and 7 year-old daughters have grown up as avid (often weekly) users of our Philadelphia neighborhood library, which has been closed for 4-5 months and counting. There has been some localized outcry and minimal media coverage of this closure... same goes for the closure of other libraries when it occurs.
The fact of the matter is this: mismanagement of Philadelphia library facilities has been a slow-burning crisis that has boiled over in the last two years. Below I've included a summary of the problem as well as proposed solutions to the negligence.
This budget season, Free Library reform is in order.
Fix Our Libraries BEFORE They Crumble & Close.
What is the issue?
Philadelphia’s public libraries infrastructure is in crisis. At any given time over the past two years, branch after branch have closed repeatedly – due to preventable heating, cooling, and structural failures. Entire communities have lost access to vital resources: literacy programs, after-school support, internet access, safe gathering spaces, and shelter during extreme weather. These closures affect neighborhoods where libraries are essential lifelines. When a boiler fails or a ceiling leaks, it’s not just an inconvenience – it’s a blow to families who rely on these public institutions every day.
These are not isolated incidents. They are part of a systemic pattern of neglect that leaves entire neighborhoods without access to essential services.
In the summer of 2024, more than 20 branches shut down – some repeatedly – due to failed air conditioning systems. West Oak Lane Library was closed for over seven weeks. At one point, more than a third of all Free Library locations were offline simultaneously.
Then came winter. In November 2024, seven libraries – including Bustleton, Bushrod, Richmond, Overbrook Park, Roxborough, Welsh Road, and Wynnefield – were closed indefinitely due to broken boilers and failed heating systems. Richmond Library closed on November 13, due to an unforeseen roof failure and fears of ceiling collapse. It has remained closed for 5 months and counting, with no firm reopening in sight. Like the HVAC issues, the roof could’ve been preemptively inspected and proactively addressed months before the problem compounded and forced the library to close its doors.
In early 2025, Widener Library in North Philadelphia – often utilized as a safe haven and warming space – was shuttered on one of the coldest days of the year. Patrons arrived to locked doors and freezing temperatures. These closures disrupt homework help, after-school programs, senior gatherings, and access to books, computers, and warmth.
It’s not just HVAC problems. The Nicetown-Tioga branch was forced to close for over six months following the April 2024 earthquake, revealing deep structural vulnerabilities that had long gone unaddressed.
This isn’t arbitrary bad luck. We can predict the following: Every year, it gets very hot in the summer, and it gets very cold in the winter. Old buildings need proactive and preventative maintenance.
My daughters miss our library, for sure. But we can visit the Central Library and get our book holds from another branch. We can use the Libby app to borrow books electronically. What about the Philadelphians who can’t do this or rely on the many critical programs and community services offered at our libraries?
Why have the facilities been neglected? Who’s in charge?
Earlier this year, an online petition was created for the Richmond Library. For any real change to happen, a reform effort must be broad sweeping, from the top down. The Free Library of Philadelphia is not directly controlled by the Mayor’s office or City Council, but instead has an independent Board of Trustees and rolls up to the Office of Children and Families.
Why has the library infrastructure been mismanaged, and what can be done to address the leadership failure? Library administration and the Office of Children and Families leadership are the only ones who can directly answer that question (if an answer exists). There is no public-facing budget or strategic plan. There is no collaborative planning process beyond closed doors. All we see is meaningless public statements when libraries close; just the same “We’re working on it” quotes from a spokesperson or facilities mid-manager, over and over.
The Free Library received $50 million of city funding in 2024. How has this money been spent? This budget season, they will undoubtedly ask for more.
How can we do better?
Simply put, the problem can be addressed with two words: Transparency and Accountability. The Free Library is managing its buildings without either. More funding without sound management will not solve the problem… case in point: Rebuild funds for the Richmond Library. Without transparency and accountability, allocating more funding in this scenario is like giving more money to a slumlord.
To address the ongoing issues plaguing Philadelphia's library infrastructure, it's imperative to adopt a proactive and transparent approach to facilities management. A commendable model for such an approach can be found within our own city – the School District of Philadelphia (SDP).
Learning from the School District of Philadelphia's Facilities Planning Process
The SDP has implemented a comprehensive Facilities Planning Process (FPP) that emphasizes transparency, community engagement, and strategic long-term planning. Key components of this process include:
- Structured Planning Phases: Since June 2022, the SDP has been executing an eight-phase FPP aligned with their five-year strategic plan, Accelerate Philly. This structured approach ensures systematic assessment and improvement of school facilities.
- Community Involvement: Recognizing the importance of stakeholder input, the SDP initiated a Facilities Planning Process Listening and Learning Tour during Phase 8. This tour involved community conversations to gather feedback from students, families, teachers, and local residents, ensuring that the facilities plan reflects the needs and priorities of the community.
- Transparent Communication: The SDP maintains open lines of communication by providing regular updates on the FPP's progress. They publish summaries of stakeholder feedback, outline upcoming phases, and offer opportunities for continued community engagement.
- Learning Networks: To enhance support and oversight, the SDP has reorganized its Learning Network structure. These networks group schools geographically, facilitating better resource allocation, decreased travel time for assistant superintendents, and increased engagement with grassroots and faith-based organizations.
Proposed Actions for the Free Library of Philadelphia
Drawing inspiration from the SDP's approach, the Free Library could implement the following measures to improve facilities management:
- Develop a Comprehensive Facilities Plan: Establish a multi-phase plan that includes a detailed budget, and outlines short-term and long-term goals for library maintenance and upgrades, ensuring systematic and proactive management of facilities. Make it available to the public.
- Engage the Community: Host listening sessions and forums to gather input from library patrons, staff, and local residents. This engagement will help identify pressing issues and prioritize projects that align with diverse community needs.
- Introduce Transparency: Regularly publish updates on the status of library facilities, planned maintenance, and ongoing projects. Providing accessible information fosters trust and keeps the public and city leadership informed about administration’s efforts.
- Establish Accountability Measures: Clearly define and make public – roles and responsibilities within library administration for facilities management. As part of the upcoming budget hearing proceedings, require submission of the Comprehensive Facilities Plan, including a detailed budget with line items directed tied to the Plan’s phases and individual projects. As a condition of funding, mandate publicly available quarterly updates on the Plan’s phases and projects. (As a vastly superior alternative to the current reactive, weakly conceived, narrowly focused blog posts.)
By adopting these strategies, or frankly, any similar strategies, the Free Library of Philadelphia can begin the transition from a negligent, reactive approach to a proactive, transparent, and community-centered model of facilities management; ensuring that our libraries remain open, safe, and welcoming for all… in every season, year after year.
336
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on April 1, 2025