Fumo Family Library
2437 South Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19148-3508
(Ritner & Broad St.)
215-685-1758
Open today until 8:00 p.m.
| 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 | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
Upcoming Closures
- Thu., Nov. 9 : Opening at 2:00 PM Due to staff development.
- Sat., Nov. 11 : Closed Veterans Day
- Thu., Nov. 23 : Closed Thanksgiving Day
- Thu., Dec. 14 : Opening at 2:00 PM Due to staff development.
- Mon., Dec. 25 : Closed Christmas Day
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
Mindfulness Meditation | Chair Yoga
Mon, Oct 23, 1:30 P.M.
Ground your mind and body with Mindfulness Meditation and Chair Yoga. Spend a peaceful half-hour with a guided meditation. Chair yoga is a twist…
Searching for Scholarships
Mon, Oct 23, 5:30 P.M.
Join Graduate! Philadelphia for our Searching for Scholarships presentation as you learn how to prepare yourself to be a successful scholarship…
Spinning Yarns
Mon, Oct 23, 6:30 P.M.
Bring your latest project and enjoy a relaxing, low-key evening of crafting at the library. All fiber arts are welcome. This program…
Toddler Storytime
Tue, Oct 24, 10:00 A.M.
Join us for stories, songs, and activities. These programs are intended for children three years old and younger, accompanied by a…
ESL Classes at the Library
Tue, Oct 24, 2:00 P.M.
Join us to practice your english skills. No need to register, walk-ins welcome.
ESL Classes at the Library
Wed, Oct 25, 2:00 P.M.
Join us to practice your english skills. No need to register, walk-ins welcome.
About
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.