Charles Santore Library
932 South 7th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147-2932
(7th & Carpenter Sts.)
215-686-1766
Open today until 8:00 p.m.
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday | 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 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., Aug. 9 : Opening at 2:00 PM Due to staff development.
- Mon., Sep. 3 : Closed Labor Day
- Thu., Sep. 13 : Opening at 2:00 PM Due to staff development.
- Mon., Oct. 8 : Closed Columbus Day
- Thu., Oct. 11 : Opening at 2:00 PM Due to staff development.
Facilities
- Baby changing station
- Bicycle rack
- Book drop box
- Computers for public use
- Electrical outlets available
- Handicapped accessible
- Meeting space (reservation required)
- Photocopier (black/white)
- Printing (black/white)
- Public restrooms
- Street parking
- Water fountain
- Wireless internet access (wi/fi)
Upcoming Events
#slayinspirecreate
Mon, Jul 16, 3:00 P.M.
Come slay the art game! Inspire and be inspired by finding the artist within you by creating with us in #SlayInspireCreate.
Baby Storytime
Tue, Jul 17, 10:15 A.M.
Storytime can be more than just books! Join us for songs, fingerplay and bounces galore!
Toddler and Preschool Storytime
Tue, Jul 17, 11:00 A.M.
Music and dancing, stories and songs, we’ve got it all!
Minecraft Club!
Tue, Jul 17, 3:00 P.M.
Join Miss Nick for relaxed collaborative play on Minecraft Pocket Edition! Bring your own device or make use of one of our iPads.
Jams! in the Park @ Dickinson Square
Wed, Jul 18, 10:00 A.M.
Meet us in the park for stories, music, and a sensory activity.
Around the World with the Geography Lady!
Wed, Jul 18, 3:00 P.M.
Travel around the world while staying right here in the library! Take a chance to learn about different places and different cultures with Miss…
About
Formerly the Southwark Branch, the library was renamed in 2004 to honor political leader Charles Santore. Located a short distance from the Italian Market, the library serves the South Philadelphia communities of Bella Vista, Queen Village, and Hawthorne.
History
Initially named Wicaco, Southwark is the oldest settlement in Philadelphia. King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden granted a charter for settlement in 1638, and Swedish settlers were already established before William Penn's arrival. The Southwark district was created in 1762, named after a neighborhood in London. In the 1960's, the district became known as Queen Village.
The original Southwark Library was a Carnegie Building located at 5th and Ellsworth on land donated by the Young Man's Institute. It opened on November 15, 1912.
The Library opened in its current location on November 1, 1963. It was renovated in 1998 as part of the "Changing Lives" campaign, which refurbished branches and ensured Internet access.
The library was re-named on March 26, 2004 to honor Charles Santore. A South Philadelphia native born in 1910, Santore was a former boxer, Republican ward leader, and founder of Municipal Employees Union Local 696. At the time of his death he was the oldest active ward leader in any party.
The library is a short distance from the Italian Market on 9th Street. There is a lovely courtyard, accessible from the fiction room, which is perfect for relaxed reading.