Oak Lane Library
The Multigenerational Crochet Club at Oak Lane Library is currently on a break. In the meantime, we encourage you to visit one of the crochet programs happening at other branches.
| 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
- Mon., Nov. 11 : Closed Veterans Day
- Thu., Nov. 28 : Closed Thanksgiving Day
- Thu., Dec. 19 : Opening at 1:00 PM due to staff development
- Wed., Dec. 25 : Closed Christmas Day
Services
- Book Drop
- Materials / Holds Pick Up
- Reference Services
- Wi-Fi
Facilities
- Baby changing station
- Bicycle rack
- Book drop box
- Computers for public use
- Electrical outlets available
- Meeting space (reservation required)
- Photocopier (black/white)
- Printing (black/white)
- Public restrooms
- Scanner
- Street parking (free)
- Water fountain
- Wireless internet access (wi/fi)
Upcoming Events
Family BINGO Night
Ready for some friendly competition? Join us for Family BINGO at the library! Every round wins a prize, and best of all, it's free! All ages are welcome and no experience is…
Kids' Haunted House
Be afraid... be very afraid! We will host a haunted house in our basement for children and teens. Pop in anytime; our creepy maze takes about 15 minutes. Expect jump scares and low…
Read, Baby, Read Storytime
Join us for stories, songs, rhymes, and bounces! Best for children from birth to age 2; siblings welcome. Read, Baby, Read is made possible by a generous grant from the William Penn…
Evening Storytime and Craft
Once a month, join us for an evening storytime and a craft. Program is best for ages 3 - 5 years old along with an adult; siblings of other ages are also welcome. Meets September 10, October…
About
Serving the community of Oak Lane, which is east of Broad Street at the city's northern border.
History
The neighborhood's earliest settlers arrived in 1697, when Griffith Miles and several Welsh families came to settle and farm. Miles built a log cabin in the vicinity of Old York Road and Haines Street. The area became known as Milestown in 1711.
After farming began to flourish, water power from streams was used to operate mills. The products of the mills were sold in the surrounding communities.
In 1761, Joseph Armitage built a school on the site of the present Ellwood School - a plot of land on the north side of Oak Lane, between 12th and 13th Streets. Subsequently, three larger schools were built on the site to accommodate the growing population. The name changed from the Armitage School to the Milestown School, and finally to the Ellwood School.
The name Oak Lane comes from a beloved, large oak tree that stood on the property of Hall W. Mercer, who lived on Martin's Mill Road. After the tree blew down during a storm in 1860, Mercer changed the name of the road to Oak Lane.
The Oak Lane Library was built in 1910-11 with the combined efforts of the Ladies Review Club of Oak Lane, the Library Association, and funding from Andrew Carnegie. During the Great Depression, a Friends of Oak Lane Library group formed in order to provide book funds until budgets were restored by City Council.
In 1958, the newly rehabilitated Oak Lane Branch held an open house, and a new "Friends" group formed, sponsoring lectures and purchasing materials. The library was renovated in 1999 as part of the "Changing Lives" campaign, which brought Internet service to every library.