Fumo Family Library

2437 South Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19148-3508
Porter & Broad St.
Closed Today
Sunday, 10/13 Closed
Monday, 10/14 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Closed *
Tuesday, 10/15 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, 10/16 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, 10/17 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday, 10/18 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, 10/19 Closed
  • * Monday has hour changes – Indigenous Peoples' Day
Sunday Closed
Monday 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday Closed

Upcoming Closures

  • Mon., Nov. 11 : Closed Veterans Day
  • Thu., Nov. 28 : Closed Thanksgiving Day
  • Thu., Dec. 12 : Opening at 1:00 PM due to staff development
  • Wed., Dec. 25 : Closed Christmas Day
View all holiday closings

Facilities

  • Baby changing station
  • Book drop box
  • Computers for public use
  • Handicapped accessible
  • Meeting space (reservation required)
  • Photocopier (black/white)
  • Printing (black/white)
  • Public restrooms
  • Scanner
  • Street parking (metered)
  • Water fountain

Upcoming Events

Mindful Yoga Basics with Kate Howell

Fri, October 18, 2024 3:00 P.M.

Are you new to yoga or looking for a gentle, supportive introduction to this transformative practice?    Join us for, "Mindful Yoga Basics" to experience a comprehensive…

Philadelphia Department of Public Health Resource Table

Mon, October 21, 2024 3:00 P.M.

Speak with a representative from Philadelphia’s Department of Public Health! Resources will be available as well as free COVID tests, pads, condoms, and other health-related supplies. 

Celebrity Memoir Book Club | Bits and Pieces by Whoopi Goldberg

Tue, October 22, 2024 5:30 P.M.

Love memoirs? Love celebrity gossip? Join us! Every 4th Tuesday of the month we will discuss a different memoir authored by a celebrity.  A limited number of books will be available at Fumo…

Mindful Yoga Basics with Kate Howell

Fri, October 25, 2024 3:00 P.M.

Are you new to yoga or looking for a gentle, supportive introduction to this transformative practice?    Join us for, "Mindful Yoga Basics" to experience a comprehensive…

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.