Charles Santore Library
932 South 7th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147-2932
(7th & Carpenter Sts.)
215-686-1766
Closed Today
| 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
- Sat., Aug. 31 : Closed Labor Day weekend
- Sun., Sep. 1 : Closed Labor Day weekend
- Mon., Sep. 2 : Closed Labor Day
- Thu., Sep. 12 : Opening at 2:00 PM Due to staff development.
- Thu., Oct. 10 : 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)
Nearby Libraries
Support Charles Santore Library
Donate NowUpcoming Events
ESL Conversation Group - Monday Afternoon
Mon, Aug 26, 1:00 P.M.
This group is a great way to practice speaking everyday English. ALL are welcome.
Chess Club for Children
Mon, Aug 26, 6:30 P.M.
Thanks to the After School Activities Partnerships (ASAP), we now have several chess coaches to help you learn to play or improve your game. …
ESL Conversation Group
Mon, Aug 26, 6:30 P.M.
This group is a great way to practice speaking everyday English. ALL are welcome.
Baby and Toddler Storytime
Tue, Aug 27, 10:15 A.M.
Bring your little one for lap time with stories, songs, rhymes and bounces. This program is intended for children birth to 14 months and their…
Toddler and Preschool Storytime
Tue, Aug 27, 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…
Knitting and Crocheting Circle
Wed, Aug 28, 6:00 P.M.
Join us for an informal get together for neighborhood people who knit and crochet.
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 children's room, which is perfect for relaxed reading.