Charles L. Durham Library
3320 Haverford Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19104-2021
(34th St. & Haverford Ave.)
215-685-7436
Open today until 6:00 p.m.
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday | 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
| Thursday | 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. |
| Friday | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Saturday | Closed |
Upcoming Closures
- Thu., Sep. 26 : Opening at 2:00 PM Due to staff development.
- Mon., Oct. 14 : Closed Columbus Day
- Thu., Oct. 24 : Opening at 2:00 PM Due to staff development.
- Mon., Nov. 11 : Closed Veterans Day
- Thu., Nov. 28 : Closed Thanksgiving Day
Facilities
- Baby changing station
- Book drop box
- Computers for public use
- Photocopier (black/white)
- Printing (black/white)
- Street parking
- Water fountain
- Wireless internet access (wi/fi)
Nearby Libraries
Support Charles L. Durham Library
Donate NowUpcoming Events
Community Conversation with the 16th District
Mon, Sep 16, 12:00 P.M.
Pizza will be served! All ages are welcome! Join officers from the 16th District for a Community Conversation.
Know Your Courts-Criminal Court
Mon, Sep 23, 1:00 P.M.
Court rules and processes are often intimidating and unfamiliar, but criminal matters are high stakes for all involved. Learn about criminal court…
Preschool Storytime
Wed, Sep 25, 11:00 A.M.
Preschoolers and their caregivers are welcome to come listen to stories, do finger plays, and sing songs with our children’s librarian, Mr.…
Free Library Story Booth Recording Session
Fri, Sep 27, 2:00 P.M.
You have stories to share! Step inside the storybooth for a casual interview, and have your voice recorded to be part of neighborhood libraries…
Smartphone Basics
Tue, Oct 1, 11:30 A.M.
Learn the very basics of using a smart phone. Call to sign up and bring your smartphone the day of the workshop.
Preschool Storytime
Wed, Oct 9, 11:00 A.M.
Preschoolers and their caregivers are welcome to come listen to stories, do finger plays, and sing songs with our children’s librarian, Mr.…
About
Formerly the Mantua Branch, the library was renamed in 1995 to honor Judge 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.