Andorra Library

705 East Cathedral Road
Philadelphia, PA 19128-2106
Henry Ave. & Cathedral Rd.
Open today 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Sunday Closed
Monday 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Friday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday Closed

Upcoming Closures

  • Mon., Jun. 19 : Closed Juneteenth
  • Tue., Jul. 4 : Closed Independence Day
  • Mon., Sep. 4 : Closed Labor Day
  • Mon., Oct. 9 : Closed Indigenous Peoples' Day
View all holiday closings

Facilities

  • Book drop box
  • Handicapped accessible
  • Parking lot
  • Street parking (free)
  • Wireless internet access (wi/fi)
  • Bicycle rack
  • Baby changing station
  • Computers for public use
  • Electrical outlets available
  • Photocopier (black/white)
  • Printing (black/white)
  • Public restrooms
  • Scanner
  • Stella Lighting
  • Street parking
  • ZoomText Keyboard & Special Key Features

Upcoming Events

Roll Play for Beginners

Thu, June 8, 2023 3:30 P.M.

Are you interested in learning roll playing tabletop games, such as Dungeons & Dragons or Quest?  Start your training in a small group of other like-minded initiates.   For…

Meditation Club for Adults (Virtual)

Thu, June 8, 2023 5:00 P.M.

Let's meditate together!  We will explore various modalities of meditation in this ongoing program.  Meditation has many benefits.  It can reduce stress, help control anxiety,…

PJ Pride Storytime

Mon, June 12, 2023 5:00 P.M.

Children and families are invited to this evening Pride Month event.  Hear Miss Molly tell stories about love, diversity, and acceptance.  Pop on your most colorful PJs and join us for a…

Chair Yoga

Tue, June 13, 2023 10:30 A.M.

Chair Yoga allows you to perform yoga poses while seated, or using a chair for balance.  Chair-based yoga offers the same benefits of traditional yoga, like boosting strength, flexibility and…

About

Located in the Andorra Shopping Center where Henry and Ridge Avenues meet, the Andorra Branch is convenient to stores and parking. Look for the big red LIBRARY sign! The branch serves the Andorra and Upper Roxborough neighborhoods.

History

Richard Wistar named the area Andorra in 1857 after the small country in the Pyrenees Mountains of Europe because he felt the topography of the two regions was similar. From colonial days this region was bisected by a major highway called The Ridge (now Ridge Avenue). The road was originally laid out in 1706 to haul lime from Collegeville to Philadelphia.

Much of the land is part of Fairmount Park, and much of the adjacent land belonged to the Houston family. The area changed from rural to more urban with the construction of houses on land that was part of the Houston estate, and the completion and modernization of Henry Avenue.

Henry Avenue was probably named for Alexander Henry, Mayor of Philadelphia from 1858-1862. His brother had married the daughter of Henry Howard Houston, who owned much of the land in Andorra.

Cathedral Road is named for the cathedral that the Episcopal Diocese started building before World War II. Construction was interrupted because of the war, and was never resumed. The constructed portion is now a chapel. Cathedral Village, a community for older adults, was built on the surrounding land.

The Andorra Branch opened on March 31, 1975 in the Andorra Shopping Center, Cathedral Road and Henry Avenue. The library was renovated in 1999 as part of the "Changing Lives" campaign, which refurbished branches. Artists Max Mason and M. Webb created the mural above the picture book section depicting the Philadelphia skyline and the Andorra Woods.