Frankford Library
4634 Frankford Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19124-5804
(Frankford Ave. & Overington St.)
215-685-1473
Closed Today
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday | 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. |
| Thursday | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
| Friday | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Saturday | Closed |
Upcoming Closures
- Mon., Oct. 9 : Closed Columbus Day
- Thu., Oct. 12 : Opening at 2:00 PM Due to staff development.
- Thu., Nov. 9 : Opening at 2:00 PM Due to staff development.
- Sat., Nov. 11 : Closed Veterans Day
- Thu., Nov. 23 : Closed Thanksgiving Day
Facilities
- Book drop box
- Computers for public use
- Electrical outlets available
- Meeting space (reservation required)
- Photocopier (black/white)
- Printing (black/white)
- Public restrooms
- Street parking (free)
- Street parking (metered)
- Water fountain
- Wireless internet access (wi/fi)
Upcoming Events
Wii Wednesdays
Wed, Sep 27, 4:30 P.M.
Come play your favorite Wii games with Mr. Vince on the fourth Wednesday of the month. For teens and school-aged kids.
Laptop Lounge
Mon, Oct 2, 5:30 P.M.
Brush up on your computer skills using our in-house laptops with our Digital Resource Specialist. Space may be limited.
Preschool Storytime with Mr. Pagán
Tue, Oct 3, 11:00 A.M.
Preschoolers and their caregivers are welcome to come to listen to stories, do fingerplays and sing songs with children’s librarian Mr.…
Block Building Party
Wed, Oct 4, 5:00 P.M.
Join librarian Mr. Pagan and build whatever you can imagine with our collection of over 2,000 blocks, signs, and figures. Children ages 4…
Resume Open Lab
Thu, Oct 5, 11:00 A.M.
Need help with your resume? Come to our resume open lab with extended laptop time.
Movie of the Month: Aladdin
Wed, Oct 11, 5:00 P.M.
Come the second Wednesday of every month and watch a fun family movie hosted by librarian Mr. Pagán.
About
Located near the Margaret-Orthodox Station of the Frankford EL, the Frankford Branch serves the communities of Frankford, Northwood, Bridesburg, and part of Juniata Park.
History
One of the oldest neighborhoods in Philadelphia, Frankford was originally settled by Swedes in 1638, although a Native American village appeared on a map from 1655. Frankford was named for a group of German Pietists, similar to the Quakers, who came from Frankurt, Germany.
The area includes Frankford Avenue, the first legally laid out country road in the Province of Pennsylvania. Initially called the King's Highway, it was traveled by Lafayette and many of the delegates to the Continental Congress. Frankford was part of Oxford Township until 1800, when it withdrew and incorporated as a borough.
The Frankford library began in 1823, when the Library and Reading Room Association was founded. In 1857, the Oxford Library gave its books to the Library and Reading Room after space was provided in the Wright's Industrial and Beneficial Institute Building.
During the Civil War, the Library Room was used as a hospital, and in 1900, the library became part of the Free Library. By 1906, a new Carnegie-funded library was opened at Frankford Avenue and Overington Street near the site where the first horse-drawn trolleys were built.
The current library has undergone two major renovations. In 1959, the library was remodeled inside and out, replacing the neo-classic building with a modern structure of steel and glass. Finally, in 1997 the library was renovated as part of the "Changing Lives" campaign, which refurbished branches and brought Internet access to every library.