Fumo Family Library

By Appointment services available - call to schedule

2437 South Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19148-3508
Porter & Broad St.
Closed Today
Sunday, 3/26 Closed
Monday, 3/27 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Closed *
Tuesday, 3/28 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, 3/29 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, 3/30 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday, 3/31 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, 4/1 Closed
  • * Monday has hour changes – Due to staff Shortage. Materials Pickup services offered 1 p.m – 5 p.m.
Sunday Closed
Monday 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday Closed

Upcoming Closures

  • Fri., Apr. 7 : Closed Good Friday
  • Sun., Apr. 9 : Closed Easter
  • Thu., Apr. 13 : Opening at 2:00 PM due to staff development
  • Thu., May. 11 : Opening at 2:00 PM due to staff development
View all holiday closings

Facilities

  • Baby changing station
  • Bicycle rack
  • Book drop box
  • Change machine
  • Computers for public use
  • Handicapped accessible
  • Photocopier (black/white)
  • Printing (black/white)
  • Public restrooms
  • Street parking (metered)
  • Water fountain
  • Wireless internet access (wi/fi)

Upcoming Events

Lego Free Build

Mon, April 3, 2023 3:30 P.M.

Unleash your imagination with our weekly Lego free build. Create whatever new worlds and marvelous wonders come to mind with these colorful bricks. Materials will be provided. .

Free At-Home COVID Test Distribution

Tue, April 4, 2023 2:00 P.M.

Pick up FREE at-home COVID tests from the Department of Public Health at Fumo Library. No insurance or ID is required. Please call 215-685-5488 or…

Poetree

Wed, April 5, 2023 3:30 P.M.

Create your own poem in the form of tree that's leaves have all sprouted just in time for spring and National Poetry Month. Materials will be provided.

Chess Club for Kids

Thu, April 6, 2023 3:30 P.M.

Learn how to play chess or practice your skills. Join us for a friendly game every Thursday after school. All experience levels 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.