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., Nov. 9 : Opening at 2:00 PM Due to staff development.
- Sat., Nov. 11 : Closed Veterans Day
- Thu., Nov. 23 : Closed Thanksgiving Day
- Thu., Dec. 14 : Opening at 2:00 PM Due to staff development.
- Mon., Dec. 25 : Closed Christmas Day
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
ESL Conversation Group
Mon, Oct 23, 1:00 P.M.
This group is a great way to practice speaking everyday English. ALL are welcome.
ESL Conversation/Tutoring
Mon, Oct 23, 6:30 P.M.
Looking for some conversation practice or one-on-one help with your English? We have an ESL teacher available to work with you.
Baby and Toddler Storytime
Tue, Oct 24, 10:15 A.M.
Bring your little one for lap time with stories, songs, rhymes and bounces. This program is intended for children 0 to 14 months and their…
Toddler and Preschool Storytime
Tue, Oct 24, 11:00 A.M.
Let's read stories, sing songs and dance together! This program is intended for children 15 months to 4 years old and their caregivers.
Beginner ESL Class
Tue, Oct 24, 12:30 P.M.
This 2-hour class runs once a week on Tuesdays from September to early December. Some basic knowledge of English is expected. Skill level…
ESL Class – Intermediate
Wed, Oct 25, 12:30 P.M.
This two hour long class runs once a week on Wednesdays from September to early December. This class is free and registration is not…
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.