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. – 5:00 p.m.
| Sunday, 5/20 | Closed |
| Monday, 5/21 | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday, 5/22 | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday, 5/23 | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
| Thursday, 5/24 | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
| Friday, 5/25 |
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.* |
| Saturday, 5/26 | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
- * Friday 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 | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
Upcoming Closures
- Mon., May. 28 : Closed Memorial Day
- Thu., Jun. 7 : Opening at 2:00 PM Due to staff development.
- Wed., Jul. 4 : Closed Independence Day
- Thu., Jul. 5 : Opening at 2:00 PM Due to staff development.
- Thu., Aug. 2 : Opening at 2:00 PM Due to staff development.
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
Upcoming Events
Community Storytimes
Wed, May 30, 10:30 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 Builders
Fri, Jun 1, 3:30 P.M.
Come build with us! We’ll use a rotating mix of Legos, Magnatiles, wooden blocks, cups, and more. Primarily intended for children ages 6-12…
Saturday Play Date
Sat, Jun 2, 11:00 A.M.
Children ages 1-6 and their families are invited to join us for a story, followed by playtime with a rotating selection of wooden blocks, magnet…
Outdoor Playspace Design
Sat, Jun 2, 1:00 P.M.
Come give us your ideas for an outdoor playspace at Cecil B Moore library! Be part of our project, Play Terrains, learning through nature and…
Summer of Wonder Kickoff
Wed, Jun 13, 2:00 P.M.
School is over and Summer of Wonder has begun! Stop by to make sure you’ve signed up for our summer learning challenge and enjoy some…
Movie Matinee
Thu, Jun 14, 2:00 P.M.
Join us for a family-friendly film shown each week. Snacks provided for participants when available. Groups are welcome, but must call ahead to be…
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.