Oak Lane Library
6614 North 12th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19126-3299
(12th St. & Oak Lane)
215-685-2848
We are sorry that the Senior Focus Group scheduled for Tuesday, April 23 will be postponed. Sorry for any inconvenience.
Starting January12, we will also be open on Saturdays. Stop in from 10 a.m to 5:00 p.m.
Open today until 6:00 p.m.
| Sunday, 4/21 | Closed |
| Monday, 4/22 | 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday, 4/23 | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday, 4/24 | 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. |
| Thursday, 4/25 | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
| Friday, 4/26 |
Closed |
| Saturday, 4/27 | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
- * Friday has hour changes – staff development day
| 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 | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
Upcoming Closures
- Fri., Apr. 26 : Closed staff development day
- Thu., May. 16 : Opening at 2:00 PM Due to staff development.
- Mon., May. 27 : Closed Memorial Day
- Thu., Jun. 20 : Opening at 2:00 PM Due to staff development.
- Thu., Jul. 4 : Closed Independence Day
Facilities
- Bicycle rack
- Book drop box
- Computers for public use
- Electrical outlets available
- Meeting space (reservation required)
- Photocopier (black/white)
- Printing (black/white)
- Public restrooms
- Street parking (free)
- Water fountain
- Wireless internet access (wi/fi)
Nearby Libraries
Support Oak Lane Library
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POSTPONED, SORRY! Senior Focus Group | Where do you get your news?
Tue, Apr 23, 10:00 A.M.
Generations on Line, an award-winning national non-profit organization began right here in Philadelphia. They are requesting 12 seniors to…
Yoga for Preschoolers
Tue, Apr 23, 1:00 P.M.
Join Ms. Erica for a story and an opportunity for little ones to try yoga movements, stretches, and breathing in a safe and fun environment. …
Keeping it Real in Real Estate: First Time Home Buyers and Investors
Wed, Apr 24, 6:00 P.M.
Join us for a six-week workshop and you will learn: What Lenders are looking for Techniques for choosing the right Real Estate Agent How to be…
April is National Poetry Month
Sat, Apr 27, 2:00 P.M.
East Oak Lane's Vernita Hall will join us and read from her newly published book Where William Walked: Poems about Philadelphia and its…
Philly Celebrates Jazz | Alan Lewine Xtet Presented by Jazz Bridge
Mon, Apr 29, 6:00 P.M.
As part of “Philly Celebrates Jazz,” the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy presents its…
Keeping it Real in Real Estate: First Time Home Buyers and Investors
Wed, May 1, 6:00 P.M.
Join us for a six-week workshop and you will learn: What Lenders are looking for Techniques for choosing the right Real Estate Agent How to be…
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.