Charles L. Durham Library
| 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., Nov. 11 : Closed Veterans Day
- Thu., Nov. 25 : Closed Thanksgiving Day
- Sat., Dec. 25 : Closed Christmas Day
Services By Appointment
Services
- Book Drop
- Materials / Holds Pick Up
- Reference Services
- Wi-Fi
- Browse Shelves
- Computer Use
- Printing Services
Facilities
- Book drop box
- Street parking
- Wireless internet access (wi/fi)
- Bicycle rack
- Computers for public use
- Electrical outlets available
- Handicapped accessible
- Photocopier (black/white)
- Printing (black/white)
- Public restrooms
- Scanner
- Street parking (free)
Upcoming Events
Celebrate Halloween
Stop by any time between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. See Miss Robin for a prize! She’ll be the black cat with the pink bow.
Preschool Storytime with Mr. Pagán
Preschoolers and their caregivers are welcome to come to listen to stories, do finger plays and sing songs with children’s librarian Mr. Pagán.
Preschool Storytime with Mr. Pagán
Preschoolers and their caregivers are welcome to come to listen to stories, do finger plays and sing songs with children’s librarian Mr. Pagán.
Preschool Storytime with Mr. Pagán
Preschoolers and their caregivers are welcome to come to listen to stories, do finger plays and sing songs with children’s librarian Mr. Pagán.
About
Formerly the Mantua Branch, the library was renamed in 1995 to honor Judge Charles L. Durham. Serving the Mantua and Powelton communities, the library is located near the Drexel University campus and the Philadelphia Zoo.
History
Part of this neighborhood was purchased from the Lenni Lenape Indians in 1677 by William Warner. In 1692, a young Welsh carpenter, William Powel, opened a ferry over the Schuylkill River at the foot of the present Spring Garden Bridge. Lancaster Pike and Haverford Road were the first routes providing access from the west.
Mantua was named in 1809 by Judge Richard Peters, who designed a grid of lots with 36th St. and Haverford Ave. as the center. He named the area for a city in Italy.
Powelton was named for the family of William Powell, whose son purchased additional land. By the mid-1880's, Powelton was a fashionable area, becoming part of Philadelphia after the Consolidation Act of 1854.
Designed as part of the multipurpose Mantua Community Center, the Mantua library branch opened July 9, 1979. The building also includes a Department of Recreation gymnasium, a community office and a meeting room.
The branch was renamed the Charles L. Durham Free Library in 1995. Born in Mantua, Durham served on City Council from 1967 to 1974, when he was appointed to the Common Pleas Court. He a strong advocate for the community, and was deeply involved in the struggle for civil rights and was part of the first black caucus on Council.
The library was renovated in 1999 as part of the "Changing Lives" campaign, which refurbished branches and ensured Internet access.