Cecil B. Moore Library
2320 Cecil B. Moore Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19121-2927
(Cecil B. Moore & 23rd Street)
215-685-2766
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
- Thu., Oct. 4 : Opening at 2:00 PM Due to staff development.
- Mon., Oct. 8 : Closed Columbus Day
- Thu., Nov. 1 : Opening at 2:00 PM Due to staff development.
- Sun., Nov. 11 : Closed Veterans Day
- Thu., Nov. 22 : Closed Thanksgiving Day
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
Community Story Time
Wed, Sep 19, 11:00 A.M.
Join us for our family & community story time! Children ages 0-5, their siblings, and their caregivers are invited for stories, songs, and…
Friday Gaming
Fri, Sep 21, 3:30 P.M.
Enjoy a selection of board games, card games, and Wii games after school every Friday. Intended for school-age children through teens. Day care…
Open Climb
Mon, Sep 24, 10:30 A.M.
Come take advantage of our new play space, featuring a miniature rockwall! Our redesign encourages imaginative play that boosts children’s…
Open Climb
Wed, Sep 26, 10:30 A.M.
Come take advantage of our new play space, featuring a miniature rockwall! Our redesign encourages imaginative play that boosts children’s…
Community Story Time
Wed, Sep 26, 11:00 A.M.
Join us for our family & community story time! Children ages 0-5, their siblings, and their caregivers are invited for stories, songs, and…
Friday Gaming
Fri, Sep 28, 3:30 P.M.
Enjoy a selection of board games, card games, and Wii games after school every Friday. Intended for school-age children through teens. Day care…
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.