I hadn't been here in years until recently. I'm a member and that gave me the advantage of being…read moreable to search online for records I was interested in so that I could save the call numbers and save some time while there. I found the staff to be friendly and very helpful. Many of the records I wanted are in the closed stacks. You fill out a form with the call number and your name and sit at a table in the reading room. Seats are numbered and the number goes on the form and they will bring the record to you. You can do 3 at a time. If you want them to hold something you were looking through for the next day, they will hold it for you. You are allowed to take your computer, papers and phone. You can take a photo of any record which is helpful. The reading room has a lot of books. There is a family room with many books organized by family name so easy to search for a family you are looking for. Many of the records they have are not available elsewhere and may include handwritten notes a family member wrote on paper or you might find a full book on the family you are looking for. You could easily spend days and days there. There is a charge of $8.00 for non-members to enter while members are free. If you are researching Pennsylvania history or families in the area (including Delaware and New Jersey), you are bound to find something useful in your search. I appreciate that they are digitizing more and more records for those of us that don't live there and seldom can get to HSP.

As a hardcore researcher and genealogist, I borderline dread having to go to HSP to do any…read moreresearch. I say borderline because it's not 100% bad, but some staff members have a tendency to treat the public like children. They expect you to know things, even if you haven't been told what to do ahead of time (where to read books from the stacks, how to handle certain items, etc.). Yes, some things are common sense, but giving the public a little friendly guidance goes a long way. But the major turn-off for me is the exorbitant fees they charge for just about everything - from admission for non-members to copies to membership fees. And goodness forbid if you want to use a photo for a book from one of their collections - that's hundreds of dollars and a slew of conditions attached to it. It's $75 to become what they call a "Researcher" member. That only entitles you to 20 visits to the library per year (that's not even 2 visits a month!). You'd have to fork over $130 for a "Patron" membership to get 50 visits a year to their library (you want unlimited visits? Be prepared to part with anywhere from $500-$999, according to their membership brochure). Why I'm steamed about the amount of money they charge for services is only because they have materials donated to them, so they pay nothing for this stuff. They have the collections of the late Balch Institute for Ethnic Studies (that I never see displayed or talked about) as well as the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania (which handed over their collections to HSP in 2006), both of which were donated, and then they want the public to pay a mint to get copies? And as prices have risen, their hours have been reduced. They're no longer open on Saturdays and they have only one late night per week (Wednesday). If you're going to raise prices, put in some extra hours somewhere. (And be forewarned that if the person at the reception/cashier desk doesn't like you for whatever reason, they can actually deny you admission.) On the other side: Many staff members are knowledgable in helping researchers locate the information they're seeking and, sometimes, may offer them other directions to go in case they came to a dead end. They also have a wide variety of collections, *some* of which can't be found anywhere else (mainly because of the aforementioned acquisitions). They have cemetery records and the records of some funeral directors (such as Battersby) and churches (e.g. Christ Church) as well as an entire room dedicated to published family genealogies. I can take the bad with the good, but at the rates HSP charges, this historical goodie is a once-in-a-while treat, not to be used regularly (and it shouldn't be that way).

The staff is very friendly and it was easy to make a library card. The library is a bit small but…read morevery clean. If a book is not available, the staff is happy to look and see if can be transferred to this library which resolves the small comment! Wish they were open on the weekend!

I love this little library! It has a great staff who are friendly and helpful. There's an…read moreexcellent selection of books, magazines, and movies. It's usually quiet even after school. The library is conveniently located right off Girard Avenue with lots of restaurants nearby.

This consulate is pretty useless. I've been trying to book an appointment for almost a year…read morewithout success. No one is reachable by phone. Emails are not responded to. Bookings are NEVEsR available. Avoid dealing with them if it is an option.

This is on the visa office of the consulate…read more Be prepared, be ready for a long wait, and be spontaneous for any kind of interaction with this consulate. Having a reservation does not mean you don't need to come early - or that you will meet with a visa official on the time you reserved. If you somehow landed in here on the better slots of the morning i.e. when they're not super packed and not completely annoyed by the crowd and have everything that they could possibly want ready, you will be given a receipt with your application number to pickup your passport. They may take additional documents if you ended up unluckily needing extra - but could either ask a hard copy brought or mailed to the office instead of emails. This could be an overall frustrating process, so stay calm and relax while you're waiting - really doesn't matter if you've got a reservation or not during the pickup hour on mon wed and fri.

Ok, I was headed to my nearest SS office when I noted that this location had a 5 star Yelp rating…read moreand I was like:"huh?". Well, let me tell you that rating is spot ON! I arrived on a Thur morning 30 min prior to opening and the most wonderful security person was already outside making sure folks lined up appropriately, but also informing folks what could NOT get done at this location (no new applications for a SS card), as well as the things that could be done on line so folks didn't waste time in line unnecessarily! And it got better from there: doors opened on time, check-in orderly, plenty signage explaining processes, the same officer even came inside and explained where to find the stations and the bathrooms! Then when I was called, the representative not only addressed my issue, but took time to explain other aspects of SS that were available to me! I have been to a number of SS offices in the Philly area and this was BY FAR the best experience. Did I mention I was out within 35 min? Only issue: street parking is limited, but office is assessable by SEPTA. This is my go-to office from now on! Make it yours

I didn't get the name of the representative I spoke with today. I wish I had because she was…read morepleasant, thorough, and was able to provide me with an answer. This is not always the case when speaking with social security. The 4240 Market Street location is tops

September 2, 10 AM I had a walk-in no appointment set time was about 15 minutes. Went to Window2…read morethe clerk very very friendly . Very informative no pressure smiles helpful all the above.. I highly recommend this location.

First time to an SSA office. I picked this location for its parking lot. After reading poor…read morereviews of other SSA office locations, I was prepared for a long wait and for surly service. I'm happy to report that I was "disappointed" because I was greeted by a security officer who explained the check in ticketing process. After sitting down with my ticket for approx. 5 minutes, my number came up! The lovely lady at Window 11 was cheerful, professional, and answered all my questions and gave me the documents I needed! Thank you lovely SSA lady :) All in 10 minutes time!!! WOWWOWWOW!

The only downside to this beautiful facility is that staffing is a bit inconsistent. The positive…read morenews is that they are remarkably communicative and let you know if you follow on Instagram. Good children's programming with fun corners to crawl into with a book. They have a fabulous volunteer group that tend to their lovely garden, clean up and host a fabulous book sale annually. They have a connection with the other libraries and can order for you AND they're on the Libby app which works great for me. Super interesting programming from time to time.

Satisfyingly unique in structure and service, the Falls of Schuylkill Branch Library in the East…read moreFalls Community is the perfect example of library-community interaction at its best. Benefitting from one of the largest Friends of the Library chapters and a community that reads and has a strong sense of what their library should be like, the Falls branch offers a collection of materials both broad and deep. Your chances of finding that obscure title in poetry, literary criticism, cookery, or history will be quite good, as will your chances of finding the latest by Koontz. There is a fine and comprehensive children's collection, as well. Programs and activities offer a range from monthly todder story times in the artistically rendered Story Time Room, programs for all ages of children, an after school program, 4 book clubs, travel lectures, author talks, an annual Bastille Day soiree, Christmas Tree sale, and one of the largest used book sales in the City (proceeds benefit the branch library). The staff is prompt, persistent, personable, and knowledgeable. As one of the busiest branches in the Free Library of Philadelphia system, they work hard to strike that rare balance of keeping up with the demand while staying attentive to each and every patron. Pleasantly, they succeed most every time. Finally, the building itself will attract your eye, set amongst a small, award winning garden yard and tall evergreen trees on the corner of Midvale Avenue and Warden Drive. You'll look up to a vaulted high ceiling, white plaster with dark wood beams arched across the whole length; peaked, high-set windows; architectural woodwork throughout the interior; all set within a stone structure in the English Collegiate Style complete with a small steeple including a weather vane that has an intersting story of its own. Make no mistake, the structure was built in 1913 specifically to be the library for the East Falls community and has filled that role with pride and prestige ever since.

This being a new building I had just wanted to do a quick walk-through. I ended up staying over two…read morehours! I missed the free printing, scanning, and being able to fax at a lower cost. I didn't recognize a lot of the regulars faces so I am hoping a lot of the people that were there before are still there now, but definitely have some new helpful people in there also. Very convenient having a municipal building and library together, great addition! I personally am very happy with it all around! I will definitely be back again soon!

The Pennsauken Library offers a wide variety of books, movies, music, free programming for all ages…read morefrom dance and exercise classes to local museum passes, internet and computer access, and more for the community of Pennsauken.

Little Free Library on the property of Gloria Dei Old Swedes Church. Beautiful church & grounds, &…read morethe LFL is a good fixture if you want to browse or take a book following a music concert or service there.