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 | 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
- Mon., May. 28 : Closed Memorial Day
- Thu., Jun. 21 : Opening at 2:00 PM Due to staff development.
- Wed., Jul. 4 : Closed Independence Day
- Thu., Jul. 19 : Opening at 2:00 PM Due to staff development.
- Thu., Aug. 16 : 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
Bibliophiles Reading Group
Wed, Jun 6, 6:00 P.M.
Join us as we discuss Forging Freedom: The Formation of Philadelphia's Black Community, by Gary B. Nash. Branch staff can assist you to…
Summer Reading Kick-off Party!
Mon, Jun 11, 4:00 P.M.
Come sign up for Summer Reading and enjoy giveaways, games, refreshments and face painting.
Kids' Arts & Crafts
Wed, Jun 13, 2:00 P.M.
Tap into your creative side and make a new craft, or piece of art, each Wednesday.
Young Writers Group
Thu, Jun 14, 1:00 P.M.
Write with us. We'll be led by local author H. Victoria Hargro Atkerson.
Tai Chi for Adults with Darrell Bryant
Thu, Jun 14, 1:30 P.M.
A healthy and stress relieving break in the middle of your day: Tai Chi for Adults with Darrel Bryant, instructor.
Summer Block Party!
Fri, Jun 15, 10:30 A.M.
What can you build with wooden blocks? Come find out at this wooden block party! This program is for preschool children (along with an…
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.