Torresdale Library

3079 Holme Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19136-1101
Holme Ave. & Willits Rd.
Open today 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
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

  • Fri., Apr. 18 : Closed Good Friday
  • Sun., Apr. 20 : Closed Easter
  • Mon., May. 26 : Closed Memorial Day
  • Thu., Jun. 19 : Closed Juneteenth
View all holiday closings

Facilities

  • Baby changing station
  • Bicycle rack
  • Book drop box
  • Computers for public use
  • Electrical outlets available
  • Photocopier (black/white)
  • Printing (black/white)
  • Public restrooms
  • Scanner
  • Street parking (free)
  • Water fountain
  • Wireless internet access (wi/fi)

Upcoming Events

Family Storytime

Wed, April 2, 2025 10:30 A.M.

Please join us for stories, songs, and interactive play for children ages 6 months to 5 years old. The program is geared towards the audience. All abilities welcome! All children must be…

Wonderful Wednesday Storytime

Wed, April 2, 2025 10:30 A.M.

Join us as we read our favorite stories, sing our favorite songs and other activities!   For children ages 2 and up with an accompanying adult. Looking forward to seeing you!

The Secrets of Magic by Magician Ran'D Shine!

Mon, April 14, 2025 4:00 P.M.

Torresdale Library welcomes Mr. Randy Shine as he performs some of his favorite magic tricks!  Watch objects appear, disappear and transform before your very eyes!    This highly…

Family Storytime

Wed, April 16, 2025 10:30 A.M.

Please join us for stories, songs, and interactive play for children ages 6 months to 5 years old. The program is geared towards the audience. All abilities welcome! All children must be…

About

In addition to Torresdale, the library serves the communities of Academy Gardens, Ashton-Woodbridge, Holme Circle, Pennypack, Pennypack Woods, and Upper Holmesburg.

History

The first settlers in the Torresdale area were the Swedes and then the English, who were possibly led by Thomas Holme, the Surveyor-General who helped William Penn lay out much of the original city of Philadelphia. In 1682, Holme received a grant of 1,646 acres from Penn. He is buried near the library, in Crispin Cemetery.

The area was originally part of Lower Dublin Township, and the earliest record of it is 1693. It was known as Delaware Township from 1852-1854, and then it became part of the city of Philadelphia. The area began to develop around 1850, when Charles Macalester bought a large tract of land and named it "Torrisdale," after his family's estate in Scotland.

The Torresdale Branch of the Free Library opened in February 1972. It features wooden cathedral ceilings. The library was renovated in 1999 as part of the "Changing Lives" campaign.

A highlight of the building is the Mother Goose mural in the preschool area. It has Humpty Dumpty, Jack and Jill, and a real clock with a painted mouse.