Fumo Family Library
At this time, the Fumo Family Library is not open to the public. However, we are providing curbside pickup and phone reference Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. If you’ve received a notice that you have library materials, please call 215-685-1758 during these hours to arrange a pick up time. You may return your library items in our drop box during those hours as well.
Please note that the library is closed Thurdays and Fridays. If our phone is busy during these hours, please feel free to email: Branch Manager, Abbe Klebanoff, KlebanoffA@Freelibrary.org and I will get back to you. Please include your phone number and library card in the email.
Upcoming Events
Virtual Mindfulness Meditation via Facebook Live
Join Miss Abbe on Mondays at 10:00 a.m. live ( Fumo Family Library ) for some calm Mindfulness Meditation using a body scan and breathing techniques, ground your body and mind.
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.
Virtual Library Dinner
Do you miss being with other library members? Let’s have dinner together and chat virtually. Want to join? Email: KlebanoffA@Freelibrary.org.
Mindfulness Meditation via Instagram Live
Join Miss Abbe on Mondays at 2:00 p.m. on Instagram Live for some calm Mindfulness Meditation using body scan and breathing techniques, ground your body and mind.
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.