Haverford Library

5543 Haverford Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19139-1432
56th St. & Haverford Ave.
Open today 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, 11/9 Closed
Monday, 11/10 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. *
Tuesday, 11/11 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Closed *
Wednesday, 11/12 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, 11/13 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday, 11/14 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, 11/15 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • * Monday had hour changes – in observance of Veterans Day
  • * Tuesday had hour changes – Veterans 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 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Upcoming Closures

  • Thu., Nov. 27 : Closed Thanksgiving Day
  • Fri., Nov. 28 : Closed Thanksgiving Friday
  • Thu., Dec. 25 : Closed Christmas Day
View all holiday closings

Facilities

  • Baby changing station
  • Bicycle rack
  • Book drop box
  • Change machine
  • Computers for public use
  • Electrical outlets available
  • Handicapped accessible
  • Meeting space (reservation required)
  • Photocopier (black/white)
  • Printing (black/white)
  • Public restrooms
  • Scanner
  • Screen magnify tools
  • Street parking (free)
  • Study rooms
  • Water fountain
  • Wireless internet access (wi/fi)

Upcoming Events

Family Storytime

Wed, November 12, 2025 10:30 A.M. This event has already happened.

Join librarian Andrew for stories, songs, and lots of fun with interactive props and crafts! Intended for children ages 2-5 and their families/caregivers.

Friday Gamer's Club

Fri, November 14, 2025 3:30 P.M.

Join us for gaming and special treats! Play our Nintendo Switch and/or Playstation on the big screen or learn a new board game with a new friend. Every 2nd and 4th Friday of  Gamer's Club is a Pizza Party for all. Open to all ages! 3:30 to 5:00 PM    

Mental Health Resource Table

Mon, November 17, 2025 1:00 P.M.

The City of Philadelphia's Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS)  will be at the library on the last Wednesday of the month. If you have questions about the mental health, or substance abuse services the City can provide, stop by to chat.…

Movie Mondays

Mon, November 17, 2025 5:00 P.M.

Come hang out at the library with a movie and light snacks! Movies will be up for voting the week before the showing in the children's section of the library. Cast your vote for your favorite! 

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. Private study rooms are available by appointment.

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.