North Philly communities unite to demand renovation and reopening of Cecil B. Moore Library

On March 11, 2025, Grassroots neighborhood groups and community allies will unite at Wayland Baptist Church (2500 Cecil B. Moore Ave) at 6 pm to fight for Cecil B. Moore Library.

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The library shut its doors on January 21 of this year, when its original 1962 heating and cooling system finally failed. The branch was slated for a major renovation to begin in October with the City's Rebuild project, but the library's future is now uncertain amid political indecision and unnecessary funding delays.

The Town Hall will serve as both a platform for sharing ideas and a call to action, inviting all residents and local organizations to contribute to a renovation plan that honors the library's historic legacy while meeting today’s needs.

Since 2018, community members and staff fought to win millions in City, State, and private funding for the Cecil B. Moore Library Rebuild project, which was initially slated for only minor repairs. Now, with nearly $10 million for the Cecil B. Moore library, residents designed a new Teen Space, a welcoming exterior with bold signage, new Adult shelving and seating areas, ADA accessibility, a private meeting room, modern plumbing and HVAC systems, and more.