Oak Lane Library
6614 North 12th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19126-3299
(12th St. & Oak Lane)
215-685-2848
Open today 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
| Sunday, 10/15 | Closed |
| Monday, 10/16 | 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday, 10/17 | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday, 10/18 | 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. |
| Thursday, 10/19 |
2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.* |
| Friday, 10/20 | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, 10/21 | Closed |
- * Thursday has 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 | Closed |
Upcoming Closures
- 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.
- Thu., Nov. 23 : Closed Thanksgiving Day
- Thu., Dec. 21 : Opening at 2:00 PM Due to staff development.
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)
Upcoming Events
A Taste of African Heritage
Wed, Oct 18, 4:00 P.M.
This six-week, hands-on cooking program is presented by Einstein's Nutrition Education Program. Topics covered will include: Traditional…
Tai Chi for Adults with Darrell Bryant
Thu, Oct 19, 1:30 P.M.
A healthy and stress relieving break in the middle of your day: Tai Chi for Adults with Darrel Bryant, instructor.
Fall Family Movie Night | Hocus Pocus
Mon, Oct 23, 6:00 A.M.
We'll be watching the Halloween classic Hocus Pocus (PG, 2002). Light refreshments will be served.
Meet Author/Illustrator Eric Velasquez
Tue, Oct 24, 10:00 A.M.
Join us for a very special event with picture book author and illustrator Eric Velasquez as he shares his stories and creative process. Eric…
A Taste of African Heritage
Wed, Oct 25, 4:00 P.M.
This six-week, hands-on cooking program is presented by Einstein's Nutrition Education Program. Topics covered will include: Traditional…
Tai Chi for Adults with Darrell Bryant
Thu, Oct 26, 1:30 P.M.
A healthy and stress relieving break in the middle of your day: Tai Chi for Adults with Darrel Bryant, instructor.
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.