Torresdale Library

By Appointment services available - call to schedule

3079 Holme Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19136-1101
Holme Ave. & Willits Rd.
Closed Today
Sunday, 9/17 Closed
Monday, 9/18 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, 9/19 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, 9/20 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, 9/21 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. *
Friday, 9/22 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, 9/23 Closed
  • * Thursday had 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

  • Mon., Oct. 9 : Closed Indigenous Peoples' Day
  • 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
View all holiday closings

Facilities

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

Upcoming Events

Halloween Fun with Holy Family!

Tue, October 24, 2023 5:15 P.M.

Students from Holy Family University are partnering with us to offer an evening of Halloween fun! All ages welcome! Come in costume if you like!Program ends promptly at 6:30pm. Sponsored by Friends of Torresdale Library.

The Assassination of John F Kennedy

Mon, November 20, 2023 5:30 P.M.

Retired librarian and historian Steve Wright will lead us through the events of November 22, 1963 as the nation commemorates the 60th Anniversary of one of the most tragic days in American history.

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.