South Philadelphia Library
| 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 | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
Upcoming Closures
- Thu., Nov. 28 : Closed Thanksgiving Day
- Fri., Nov. 29 : Closed Thanksgiving Friday
- Thu., Dec. 12 : Opening at 1:00 PM due to staff development
- Wed., Dec. 25 : Closed Christmas Day
Facilities
- Baby changing station
- Bicycle rack
- Change machine
- Children's only restroom
- Computer lab
- Computers for public use
- Electrical outlets available
- Handicapped accessible
- Meeting space (reservation required)
- Photocopier (black/white)
- Printing (black/white)
- Public restrooms
- Self-service checkout
- Street parking
- Study rooms
- Water fountain
- Wireless internet access (wi/fi)
Upcoming Events
Open Computer Lab and Computer Assistance
Do you need extra assistance on the computer or a longer timeframe to apply for jobs, take a test, or fill out applications? Walk in to receive computer help or call 215-685-1866 to register for a…
Toddler Storytimes
Fun stories and sing-alongs for early literacy development! Ages 1-3 recommended.
Teen Writer’s Club
South Philadelphia Library will be hosting its first ever Teen Writers Club! Whether you want to become a novelist, writer, or just want a place to express yourself, this is a place to develop…
Open Computer Lab and Computer Assistance
Do you need extra assistance on the computer or a longer timeframe to apply for jobs, take a test, or fill out applications? Walk in to receive computer help or call 215-685-1866 to register for a…
About
Welcome to our new South Philadelphia Library in the Community Health and Literacy Center at Broad and Morris Streets!
History
This area of south Philadelphia was mainly small farms until the mid-1800's. Broad Street was named by William Penn, who described it as "a Broad Street in the middle of the city, from side to side" between the rivers. It ran from Vine to South (then Cedar) Streets, since they were the original boundaries of the city. In 1819, the street went as far south as Dickinson. By the middle of the 19th century, it was extended to the navy yard.
The original South Philadelphia Branch was located at Broad and Ritner Streets in a T-shaped Carnegie building that opened on November 24, 1914. In 1965, the building was closed and the South Philadelphia Branch reopened at its current location.
In June 2016, the new South Philadelphia Library Reopened to the public. It is the first of five pilot neighborhood libraries to be reimagined and reshaped to meet the changing needs of today’s library customers. Located on the first floor of the South Philadelphia Community Health and Literacy Center, it includes a Community Health Resource Center with staff trained by the University of Pennsylvania Center for Public Health Initiatives, as well as a central “living room” area, a teen space, a Pre-K Zone, a computer lab, and updated study rooms. Its nearly 12,000 square feet of space serve more than 150,000 customers annually.
South Philadelphia Library was designated a Zone of Peace in 2019 by the Religious Leaders Council of Greater Philadelphia for its work in answering the call to stop violence by “making our homes and neighborhoods zones of peace free from fear, filled with respect, and marked by deeds of kindness."