Holmesburg Library

7810 Frankford Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19136-3013
Frankford Ave. & Hartel St.
Open today 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
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 Closed

Upcoming Closures

  • Mon., Oct. 9 : Closed Indigenous Peoples' Day
  • Thu., Oct. 19 : Opening at 2:00 PM due to staff development
  • Sat., Nov. 11 : Closed Veterans Day
  • Thu., Nov. 16 : Opening at 2:00 PM due to staff development
View all holiday closings

Facilities

  • Book drop box
  • Computers for public use
  • Meeting space (reservation required)
  • Photocopier (black/white)
  • Printing (black/white)
  • Public restrooms
  • Street parking
  • Water fountain
  • Wireless internet access (wi/fi)

Upcoming Events

English Conversation Group - Intermediate+

Wed, September 27, 2023 4:00 P.M.

Build your confidence in speaking English while meeting other adults in a casual learning environment. No registration is required. This group is for intermediate/advanced English speakers and is…

Chess Club for Teens

Thu, September 28, 2023 3:00 P.M.

Like to play chess? Join us for a friendly game. Learn how to play or practice your skills. Chess boards provided. For ages 17 and under. All levels welcome!        

PA CareerLinkĀ® Job Search Assistance

Tue, October 3, 2023 2:00 P.M.

PA CareerLink® Job Search Assistance Meet with a Community Workforce Connector from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. for one-on-one job search assistance. Get individualized support with…

English Conversation Group - Intermediate+

Wed, October 4, 2023 4:00 P.M.

Build your confidence in speaking English while meeting other adults in a casual learning environment. No registration is required. This group is for intermediate/advanced English speakers and is…

About

Serving the Holmesburg and Mayfair communities.

History

In 1682, Thomas Holme was granted 1,646 acres in Lower Dublin as payment for his service as William Penn's surveyor-general. At one time the village was called Washington, but when some of Thomas Holme's relatives decided to sell some land, they advertised it as being in "Holmesburg."

The branch also serves the Mayfair section, which was developed in the 1920's and took its name from a resident who wanted to form a civic association. He said, "We may fare well if we get behind this community and push so why not call it Mayfair."

The Holmesburg Branch was founded in 1867 as the Holmesburg Reading Room and Library Association, a subscription library. In 1880, it was transferred to the trustees of the Lower Dublin Academy and was referred to as the Thomas Holme Free Library.

In 1899, an agreement between the academy trustees and the Free Library of Philadelphia established the Thomas Holme Branch, which opened in 1900 in the Atheneum, 8000 Frankford Ave. In 1906, the Trustees of the Lower Dublin Academy donated land and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie donated funds for a new library, which opened on June 26, 1907. The library was renovated in 1998 as part of the "Changing Lives" campaign, which refurbished branches and added Internet service.