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, 9/23 | Closed |
| Monday, 9/24 |
12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.* |
| Tuesday, 9/25 | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday, 9/26 | 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. |
| Thursday, 9/27 | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
| Friday, 9/28 | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, 9/29 | Closed |
- * Monday had hour changes – Due to staff shortage.
| 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
- Mon., Oct. 8 : Closed Columbus Day
- Thu., Oct. 18 : Opening at 2:00 PM Due to staff development.
- Sun., Nov. 11 : Closed Veterans Day
- Mon., Nov. 12 : Closed Veterans Day (Observed)
- Thu., Nov. 15 : 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)
Nearby Libraries
Support Oak Lane Library
Donate NowUpcoming Events
2nd Monday Writers Group
Mon, Oct 1, 6:30 P.M.
Are you a writer who needs some motivation and encouragement? We can provide this, as well as technical skills and information that…
Book Discussion
Wed, Oct 17, 6:30 P.M.
Bill Holmes, who led us in a fascinating discussion of the book "Forging Freedom: the formation of Philadelphia's Black Community…
Fall Storytime
Fri, Oct 19, 10:30 P.M.
Join Ms. Karen for stories, rhymes and songs celebrating fall and the leaves changing color. For preschoolers, along with an adult care-giver.
Family Movie Night
Wed, Oct 24, 6:00 P.M.
Join us for a seasonal family-friendly movie in the Meeting Room. Refreshments will be served and you can also bring your own snacks. …
2nd Monday Writers Group
Mon, Nov 12, 6:30 P.M.
Are you a writer who needs some motivation and encouragement? We can provide this, as well as technical skills and information that…
Quest Film Screening
Wed, Nov 14, 5:30 P.M.
Called "A portrait of an American Family," Quest is an intimate, moving documentary that captures ten years in the life of a…
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.