Haverford Library

5543 Haverford Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19139-1432
56th St. & Haverford Ave.
Open today 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, 1/19 Closed
Monday, 1/20 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Closed *
Tuesday, 1/21 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, 1/22 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, 1/23 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. *
Friday, 1/24 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, 1/25 Closed
  • * Monday had hour changes – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
  • * Thursday has hour changes – due to staff development
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

  • Thu., Jan. 23 : Opening at 1:00 PM due to staff development
  • Mon., Feb. 17 : Closed Presidents' Day
  • Fri., Apr. 18 : Closed Good Friday
  • Sun., Apr. 20 : Closed Easter
View all holiday closings

Facilities

  • Bicycle rack
  • Book drop box
  • Computers for public use
  • Handicapped accessible
  • Photocopier (black/white)
  • Printing (black/white)
  • Public restrooms
  • Scanner
  • Street parking (free)
  • Wireless internet access (wi/fi)

Upcoming Events

Music and Movement Storytime

Tue, January 21, 2025 1:00 P.M.

Join us for stories, songs, rhymes and movement that celebrates all things music! For ages 7 and under and their caregivers.  

Builder Club: For Kids of All ages

Tue, January 21, 2025 3:30 P.M.

Do you love LEGOS, blocks, Magna-Tiles, Lincoln Logs or anything you can build? If so, then stop by Builder Club to construct your wildest dreams! All ages welcome; toddlers will have their own…

Haverford Library Teen Advisory Meeting

Tue, January 21, 2025 4:00 P.M.

Calling all Teens! You are invited to help create a new library space with you in mind! Come chat with staff and other teens who want to make a difference, all while making new friends. 

LEAP: Homework Help

Tue, January 21, 2025 4:00 P.M.

Need a little extra support with your assignments? Drop by for personalized homework assistance  to help you stay on top of your studies. We’ll be here to help you tackle tough subjects…

About

Located at the busy intersection of Haverford Avenue, 56th and Westminster Streets, the branch serves the community of Haddington-Carroll Park. The library has a lively aquarium theme in the preschool center.

History

The neighborhood had its beginning when John Rhoads received the land from William Penn. By 1847, the section between 65th and 67th Streets on Haverford Road appeared as "Haddington" on maps. Haverford was a main road in the area.

During the Civil War, this area was a center for training recruits for the Union Army. The Northwest Fellowship Council was founded in 1954. It was a forerunner of the Haddington Leadership Organization, which is still active today, working for the betterment of the community.

The Education Committee of the Haddington Leadership Organization led the drive to petition City Council to erect a library branch in their community. 5,000 signatures were collected and funding was placed in the 1976 city budget. Ground was broken in 1978, and the library opened on September 5, 1979.

The stained glass mural above the front door was created by artist Crosby Willet. The preschool area features an aquarium theme with lots of multicolored fish.

The library was renovated in 2000 as part of the "Changing Lives" campaign, which refurbished branches and brought Internet service to every library.