Lovett Memorial Library
The Lovett Memorial Library is offering the following services:
Materials Pickup by appointment - Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10 am - 12 noon and 1:30 - 4:00 p.m - please call 215-685-2095 to schedule as appointments are preferred.
Open hours for the public are Mondays and Wednesdays 1:30 - 4:00 p.m. for book browsing, hold pickups and computer session appointments. Note: only 4 computers are available in the computer area, for 30 minute sessions. Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 restrictions, we are unable to provide 1 on 1 assistance.
Lastly, our book drop is open 24/7 for returning materials.
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday | 1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday | By Appointment |
| Wednesday | 1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
| Thursday | By Appointment |
| Friday | By Appointment |
| Saturday | Closed |
Upcoming Closures
- Mon., Sep. 6 : Closed Labor Day
- Mon., Oct. 11 : Closed Indigenous Peoples' Day
- Thu., Nov. 11 : Closed Veterans Day
- Thu., Nov. 25 : Closed Thanksgiving Day
Services By Appointment
Services
- Book Drop
- Materials / Holds Pick Up
- Computer Use
- Reference Services
- Browse Shelves
- Printing Services
- Wi-Fi
Facilities
- Book drop box
- Handicapped accessible
- Public restrooms
- Self-service checkout
- Street parking
- Street parking (free)
- Wireless internet access (wi/fi)
- Baby changing station
- Bicycle rack
About
Located on Germantown Avenue in Mt. Airy, Lovett serves the communities of East and West Mt. Airy. Check out the garden next to the branch.
We are part of the transformational Building Inspiration: 21st Century Libraries Initiative. Learn more: http://www.21stcenturylibraries.org
History
Germantown Avenue began as an Indian footpath through the woods used as a road by settlers. In 1865, Thomas Lovett purchased more than ten acres along the avenue as a family estate. Mount Airy Free Library was founded twenty years later by a trio (one of whom was Miss Louisa Lovett) in a rented room at a lumberyard, where 7153-55 Germantown Avenue now stands. Another of the trio, Mrs. Sheldon Potter, acted as volunteer librarian. She had a small circulating library at her home for neighborhood boys, hoping to raise their standard of reading materials from the "dime novels" that were all they could afford for themselves.
In 1887, Charlotte Lovett Bostwick built and endowed the library as a memorial to her brother, Thomas R. Lovett. This portion now serves as a meeting room. Lovett Library became a branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia in 1924. A new addition was opened in 1961, and in 1982 the Friends of Lovett Library started.
The library was renovated in 1999 as part of the "Changing Lives" campaign. In 2004, the Lovett Memorial Reading Garden was dedicated.