Fumo Family Library
Upcoming Closures
- Mon., May. 31 : Closed Memorial Day
- Sat., Jun. 19 : Closed Juneteenth
- Sun., Jul. 4 : Closed Independence Day
- Mon., Jul. 5 : Closed Independence Day (Observed)
Facilities
- Baby changing station
- Bicycle rack
- Book drop box
- Change machine
- Computers for public use
- Handicapped accessible
- Meeting space (reservation required)
- Photocopier (black/white)
- Printing (black/white)
- Public restrooms
- Street parking (metered)
- Water fountain
- Wireless internet access (wi/fi)
Upcoming Events
Virtual Preschool Storytime
Join Mr. John for Storytime on Facebook live ( Fumo Family Library ) Tuesdays at 10:00 am! Enjoy stories, songs, and fun! This program is intended for preschoolers.
Chair Yoga
Join us each Friday at 10:00 a.m. for Chair Yoga live on the Fumo Family Library Facebook Page . The program will be taught by Kate Howell, a certified yoga teacher with over seven years of…
Virtual Preschool Storytime
Join Mr. John for Storytime on Facebook live ( Fumo Family Library ) Tuesdays at 10:00 am! Enjoy stories, songs, and fun! This program is intended for preschoolers.
Chair Yoga
Join us each Friday at 10:00 a.m. for Chair Yoga live on the Fumo Family Library Facebook Page . The program will be taught by Kate Howell, a certified yoga teacher with over seven years of…
About
The library is currently closed to the public. However, our staff is working in the library Monday - Wednesdsay 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to answer your calls. If you need to place a hold, please call or do so on the library website. Our book drop is open Monday - Wednesday 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If you have any questions, please call Monday - Wednesday 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. at 215-685-1758.
Now located in a bright yellow building on South Broad Street next to South Philadelphia Charter School for Performing Arts the branch was formerly known as the Ritner Children's Branch. The new building opened in 1999, with a new name!
History
The area surrounding the Fumo Family Branch was composed of small farms and marshlands until the mid-1800's. The site of the branch was a farm owned by the same Swedish family for more than 200 years.
Broad Street was named by William Penn. The area below Morris Street was called "the Neck," and Broad Street was the spine of the Neck. Ritner Street was named for Joseph Ritner, the son of a German immigrant who went on to become the governor of Pennsylvania. Most of the streets in South Philadelphia streets south of Mifflin are named for governors who served from 1700 to 1919.
The Fumo Family Branch has had three names during its history. In its first incarnation, a brick Carnegie library was opened at Broad and Ritner on November 24, 1914 as the South Philadelphia Branch. This building was closed when the new South Philadelphia Branch was built at Broad and Morris Streets. However, neighborhood residents demanded that the old library be reopened, at least for children. As a result, the Ritner Children's Library was created, the only library exclusively for children.
On September 3, 1999, the current Fumo Family Branch opened in a new building attached to the Samuel S. Fels Community Center. City Council voted to name the new library after the Fumo Family of South Philadelphia.
A mural by Marie Garafano called "Waiting for the Train" is above the circulation desk. You can also see a bear driving the Broad Street Subway in another mural.