John J. Wilcox, Jr. Library

Library Hours

Monday through Thursday, 6:00PM TO 9:00PM, except holidays.

Donations

Because of the large number of book donations we have received during the pandemic, we are not accepting further donations at this time. Please consider donating LGBTQ books to Philly AIDS Thrift @ Giovanni’s Room instead.

Archives donations (LGBTQ materials besides books and DVDs) are still being accepted. Please contact archives@waygay.org for more information or to schedule delivery to the Center.

Policies and procedures

Library Policies for Visitors/Borrowers

Library Collection Development Policy

The John J. Wilcox, Jr. Library at William Way LGBT Community Center is the nation’s oldest LGBTQ lending library, established in 1976 as the Library of the Gay Community Center of Philadelphia. The Library collection focuses on the lives, experiences, identities, and representations of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals. We collect both fiction and nonfiction across all disciplines that engage with issues of relevance to LGBTQ communities. The Library contains more than 14,000 books and DVDs, mostly acquired through community donation.