Lawncrest Branch

Hours

Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
CLOSED
10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
12:00 PM to 8:00 PM
10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
12:00 PM to 8:00 PM
CLOSED
10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Nearby Friday Service

Bushrod Branch
Wyoming Branch

Public Transportation

Bus Routes: 18
Commuter Trains: R8-Fox Chase (Lawndale Station)

For bus/train schedules visit SEPTA

Branch History

The neighborhood of Lawndale was named after Lawndale and Company, a turn-of-the-century developer. Crescentville was named for the Crescent Factory, an early 19th-century rope plant. The whole region was once in Oxford Township, and became part of the city in 1854.

The Lawncrest branch came into being as the result of activism by a small number of concerned citizens. In March 1957, Mildred Pruitt launched a campaign to get a branch library constructed for the Lawndale and Crescentville sections of northeast Philadelphia. Library service in these communities was limited to weekly visits by the bookmobile. Students were forced to rely on the heavily used Greater Olney and Bushrod branches to complete school assignments and research.

Pruitt organized community meetings, started a petition drive at neighborhood schools and businesses, and founded the Lawn-Crest Library Association. The name of this group reflected the needs of both neighborhoods for full-time library service.

In April 1957, Free Library Director Emerson Greenaway addressed representatives of neighborhood civic groups at the Lawncrest Recreation Center. He outlined the steps needed to get a new library built. In May 1957, the library submitted a plan to build a new branch in Lawndale.

The Planning Commission turned down the library's proposal for the 1958 capital budget; instead recommending that funds be allocated from the 1961 capital budget with construction to begin in 1963. Through the intervention of Councilman John M. McDevitt, City Council nevertheless allocated funds for the proposed branch library from the 1958 capital budget. Construction began in August, 1960.

The Lawncrest Branch library opened its doors on September 18, 1961.The site chosen for the branch was city-owned land adjacent to the Lawncrest Recreation Center on Rising Sun Avenue at Comly Street.

The library was renovated in 2000 as part of the "Changing Lives" campaign, which refurbished branches and brought Internet service to every library.

Spotlight On...

Afternoon Story Break: World Turtle Day - Thursday, May 23, 2013 at 3:45PM

Join us for turtle stories, facts, an easy craft and a snack.

---

Bedtime Story Time - Thursday, May 30, 2013 at 6:30PM

Before you head off to dreamland, stop in the library for some favorite bedtime stories and, of course, a bedtime snack.  Children are encouraged to wear pajamas and bring along a "stuffed" friend.

---

AARP "Mini" Driver Safety Refresher - Saturday, June 1, 2013 at 10:00AM

AARP presents a mini driver safety refresher course.  Open to adults age 55 and over, workshop runs from 10 am until 2 pm.  Please call the library to register.

---