Torresdale Library

3079 Holme Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19136-1101
Holme Ave. & Willits Rd.
Open today until 7:00 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

  • Thu., Dec. 19 : Opening at 1:00 PM due to staff development
  • Wed., Dec. 25 : Closed Christmas Day
  • Wed., Jan. 1 : Closed New Year's Day
  • Mon., Jan. 20 : Closed Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
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

Wonderful Wednesday Storytime

Wed, December 11, 2024 11:00 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!

Wonderful Wednesday Storytime

Wed, December 18, 2024 11:00 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!

Baby Bop Story and Activity Time

Wed, January 8, 2025 10:30 A.M.

Children and caregivers will interact using some of our favorite stories, songs and activities!   Older siblings are welcome to attend and join in the fun! For children ages 6…

Baby Bop Story and Activity Time

Wed, January 22, 2025 10:30 A.M.

Children and caregivers will interact using some of our favorite stories, songs and activities!   Older siblings are welcome to attend and join in the fun! For children ages 6…

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.