Cecil B. Moore Library
2320 Cecil B. Moore Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19121-2927
(Cecil B. Moore & 23rd Street)
215-685-2766
Open today 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
| Sunday, 2/10 | Closed |
| Monday, 2/11 |
Closed |
| Tuesday, 2/12 | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday, 2/13 | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
| Thursday, 2/14 | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
| Friday, 2/15 | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, 2/16 | 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
- * Monday had hour changes – Due to staff shortage.
| 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 | 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
Upcoming Closures
- Mon., Feb. 18 : Closed Presidents' Day
- Thu., Mar. 7 : Opening at 2:00 PM Due to staff development.
- Thu., Apr. 4 : Opening at 2:00 PM Due to staff development.
- Fri., Apr. 19 : Closed Good Friday
- Sun., Apr. 21 : Closed Easter
Facilities
- Baby changing station
- Book drop box
- Computers for public use
- Photocopier (black/white)
- Printing (black/white)
- Public restrooms
- Street parking
- Wireless internet access (wi/fi)
- Children's only restroom
- Electrical outlets available
- Meeting space (reservation required)
- Scanner
- Street parking (free)
- Water fountain
Nearby Libraries
Support Cecil B. Moore Library
Donate NowUpcoming Events
Open Climb
Wed, Feb 20, 10:30 A.M.
Come take advantage of our new play space, featuring a climbing wall! Our redesign and educational toys encourage imaginative play that…
Blues in Hip Hop for Teens
Wed, Feb 20, 4:00 P.M.
Listen to samples of early blues, soul, and contemporary hip hop to find common threads and learn to create your own blues-inspired song.
Wooden Block Party
Thu, Feb 21, 3:30 P.M.
Let your imagination grow with books and play! Join us for a story, then discover what you can build with wooden blocks! This program is intended…
Friday Games and Puzzles
Fri, Feb 22, 3:30 P.M.
Enjoy a selection of games, puzzles, and Wii games after school every Friday. Ages 7 and up. Programs subject to change. Day care groups and…
Open Climb
Mon, Feb 25, 10:30 A.M.
Come take advantage of our new play space, featuring a climbing wall! Our redesign and educational toys encourage imaginative play that…
Open Climb
Wed, Feb 27, 10:30 A.M.
Come take advantage of our new play space, featuring a climbing wall! Our redesign and educational toys encourage imaginative play that…
About
Located near the intersection of 23rd Street and Ridge Avenue, this branch serves North Central Philadelphia, Strawberry Mansion, Brewerytown, Sharswood, and the Johnson Homes. Formerly the Columbia Avenue Branch, the avenue and the library were renamed in 1987.
History
Originally named the Columbia Avenue Branch, the library opened for business on April 10, 1962. This branch succeeded the Wagner Institute Branch, located at 17th and Montgomery. Wagner Institute Branch was the first extension, or branch, of the Free Library, opening on October 18, 1892. It still exists at 17th and Montgomery as a science and natural history museum.
Cecil Bassett Moore was a lawyer, civil rights activist who led the fight to integrate Girard College, president of the local NAACP, and member of Philadelphia's City Council. With the help of high school students gathering signatures for a petition, the names of the street and branch were changed in 1987 to honor Moore.
While visiting the library, you might notice the mural in the children's room, "Let Beauty Fill Their Eyes." It was painted by David Lawrence and portrait artist Rhasaan Fort in 2000. The mosaic in the vestibule, "Integration of Science and Art," was completed in 1963 by Edna Andrade. The library was renovated in 1996 as part of the "Changing Lives" campaign, which refurbished branches and brought Web access to every library.