Haverford Library

5543 Haverford Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19139-1432
(56th St. & Haverford Ave.)
215-685-1964

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Open today 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Sunday, 2/23 Closed
Monday, 2/24 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, 2/25 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, 2/26 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, 2/27 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.*
Friday, 2/28 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, 2/29 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • * Thursday had hour changes – Due to staff development.
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 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Upcoming Closures

  • Thu., Mar. 26 : Opening at 2:00 PM Due to staff development.
  • Fri., Apr. 10 : Closed Good Friday
  • Sun., Apr. 12 : Closed Easter
  • Thu., Apr. 23 : Opening at 2:00 PM Due to staff development.
  • Mon., May. 25 : Closed Memorial Day
View all holiday closings

Photo of Haverford Library

Facilities

  • Baby changing station
  • Book drop box
  • Computers for public use
  • Electrical outlets available
  • Handicapped accessible
  • Meeting space (reservation required)
  • Photocopier (black/white)
  • Printing (black/white)
  • Public restrooms
  • Street parking (free)
  • Wireless internet access (wi/fi)

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Upcoming Events

Multimedia Book Talk | She Came to Slay: The Life and Times of Harriet Tubman

Sat, February 29, 2020 1:00 P.M.

More than a book talk, this program incorporates passages from the book, as well as historical and contemporary insights, audio and video clips, and more for a richer understanding of She Came to Slay .

Adult Young Adult Black History Month African American

Drop-in Media Lab

Wed, March 4, 2020 5:30 P.M.

Share creative space and technology and participate in a guided multi-media story-making process. Come with questions and an idea of what you want to make, and join a community of makers to work with video, audio, stop-motion animation, and more to tell your story.  This workshop is led by…

Adult Young Adult School Age Community Events Workshops and Enrichment One Book, One Philadelphia One Book Workshops - Media Labs

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.