Philadelphia’s plans to close 11 branch libraries remain on track. The affected libraries will close their doors for good this Wednesday, December 31st. Some of you have wondered if any of the services provided at the libraries will be continued. To get some answers, we contacted Sandy Horrocks at the Free Library of Philadelphia. Here’s what we’ve been able to find out so far.

Horrocks tells us the LEAP after school program offered at each library being shut down will continue at a new location in the affected community. Here’s the list of new locations.

Horrocks also says the early childhood literacy program, known as Books Aloud!, will also continue in January. But the last time we touched base, she told us the new locations for Books Aloud! hadn’t been nailed down yet. We’ll follow up on that and keep you posted.

Now, what happens to the computers in the libraries being shut down? Horrocks tells us the the library system is applying for a federal grant and other sources of money to create Library Hot Spots- computer centers with free Internet access. But there’s no date for when that all might happen. It depends on how much money the library system can drum up for the Hot Spots.

What’s also still in the works is what to do with the books from the 11 libraries being shut down. Library officials are talking with their counterparts over at the Philadelphia School District and Department of Recreation about sites for possible relocation. But nothing concrete has come out of those conversations yet.

Mayor Michael Nutter has also mentioned the possibility of circulating book mobiles around town.  But money for book mobiles won’t be put aside until after July 1, 2009 when the new fiscal year budget kicks in. Once the money is allotted, then the book mobiles can be ordered and manufactured, which can take as long as six months. If all goes accordingly,  Philly won’t see book mobiles until at least December 2009.