Free Library of Philadelphia Gets $15 Million Pledge

-- Library Journal, 04/20/2007

The Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation on Wednesday announced an anonymous $15 million gift to aid the Central Library expansion project, which could cost $175 million. The gift requires a one-to-one match. The library has already raised $70.3 million for the project, including $30 million from the city and $9.5 million from the state, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. "Our gratitude is beyond measure," said Linda E. Johnson, CEO for the foundation, in a news release. "This gift will enable us to move forward aggressively in the final phase of the campaign, and, importantly, underscores the strength of the public/private partnership which lies at the heart of this extraordinary citywide effort."

The 180,000 square foot addition, designed by architect Moshe Safdie, will include a new Teen Center, the Sunoco Internet Center, much public meeting space, an atrium housing retail establishments, a new auditorium, and 300 public access computers. The library's main lobby has already been restored and a new H.O.M.E. Page Café will open this summer.