David Cohen Ogontz Library

Tuesday, July 30 – Message from Staff

As a reminder, the drop box should be used only for returning library materials. Please do not drop in any personal items. We do not accept donations, per the posted signage. Thank you for your interest in supporting the library and for your cooperation!

 

6017 Ogontz Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19141
Church Lane & Ogontz Ave.
Open today 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday Closed
Monday 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday Closed

Upcoming Closures

  • Thu., Dec. 19 : Opening at 1:00 PM due to staff development
  • Wed., Dec. 25 : Closed Christmas Day
  • Wed., Jan. 1 : Closed New Year's Day
  • Mon., Jan. 20 : Closed Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
View all holiday closings

Facilities

  • Bicycle rack
  • Book drop box
  • Computers for public use
  • Handicapped accessible
  • Meeting space (reservation required)
  • Parking lot
  • Photocopier (black/white)
  • Printing (black/white)
  • Public restrooms
  • Scanner
  • Water fountain
  • Wireless internet access (wi/fi)

Upcoming Events

Nutrition Program: Stretching My Dollars with Beans and Healthy Beverages

Mon, December 16, 2024 1:00 P.M.

Join us for a four-week series of health programming through Jefferson/Einstein's A Better Start - Families Understanding Nutrition (F.U.N) initiative.  Learn how to stretch your dollars and offer healthy alternatives. These sessions will be facilitated by Ms. Kikki. For more…

Nutrition Workshop at the Library - for Kids

Wed, December 18, 2024 3:30 P.M.

Join us for an interactive class featuring tips on various nutrition topics and cooking demonstrations.  The best part is you get to eat too! If you have questions, please email a-better-start@jefferson.edu.  This program is designed for school age kids.  This program is presented…

About

Serving the communities of Ogontz and Belfield, this branch is located at Church Lane and Ogontz Avenue.

History

Ogontz is named after the Oak Lane mansion of Jay Cooke, a Civil War financier. As a young boy, he met Chief Ogontz in Ohio and later named his home for the Indian leader.

The community first requested a library in 1961, but due to problems with sites, funding and construction, the library was not opened until 1997. David and Florence Cohen helped get the community organized by circulating petitions and even hosting a meeting at their home. In the 1960's and 70's the area was served by a bookmobile, and various sites were considered, and even purchased, but the plans were rejected and funding was rescinded.

In 1984, the neighborhood association requested a library on the site of the former Ogontz Theatre and the library applied for library construction funds from the state. In 1994, groundbreaking was held at 6017 Ogontz Avenue, next to the site of the theatre. The library was to be a pre-engineered modular building, with carousel book shelves.

On February 10, 1997, the new library was finally opened, with a special poem written and recited by Nikki Taylor, who fondly remembered the weekly bookmobile visits and considered the new library a blessing for the entire community.