Whitman Library
200 Snyder Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19148-2620
(2nd St. & Snyder Ave.)
215-685-1754
Open today 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
| Sunday, 1/19 | Closed |
| Monday, 1/20 |
Closed |
| Tuesday, 1/21 | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday, 1/22 | 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. |
| Thursday, 1/23 | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
| Friday, 1/24 | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, 1/25 | 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
- * Monday had hour changes – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
| 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 | 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
Upcoming Closures
- Thu., Feb. 13 : Opening at 2:00 PM Due to staff development.
- Mon., Feb. 17 : Closed Presidents' Day
- Thu., Mar. 12 : Opening at 2:00 PM Due to staff development.
- Thu., Apr. 9 : Opening at 2:00 PM Due to staff development.
- Fri., Apr. 10 : Closed Good Friday
Facilities
- Baby changing station
- Bicycle rack
- Book drop box
- Change machine
- Computers for public use
- Electrical outlets available
- Handicapped accessible
- Meeting space (reservation required)
- Photocopier (black/white)
- Printing (black/white)
- Public restrooms
- Street parking (free)
- Water fountain
- Wireless internet access (wi/fi)
Support Whitman Library
Donate NowUpcoming Events
Make & Take Snow Slime with Bun!
Sat, Jan 25, 12:00 P.M.
Get in the wintry spirit by making your own snowy, fluffy slime. All supplies provided!
Census 2020 - Job Fair
Mon, Jan 27, 12:00 P.M.
The Census Bureau is hiring! Stop by to talk with a Census Bureau representative about the great job opportunities available, ask questions,…
Book Hedgehog Craft
Mon, Jan 27, 4:00 P.M.
Make your very own hedgehog out of recycled books! We’ll have all the supplies teens will need to make an easy tabletop hedgehog to hold…
Writing Help from University of Pennsylvania Faculty
Mon, Jan 27, 5:00 P.M.
Struggling with writer’s block? Don’t know where to start? Need a second pair of eyes on a document? Stop in to get free writing help…
Storytime
Tue, Jan 28, 10:00 A.M.
Join us for rhymes, songs, movement activities, and stories! This program is intended for babies thru preschoolers and their caregivers; older…
Play Group
Tue, Jan 28, 10:30 A.M.
Socialize and play with the library's toys after storytime! This program is intended for children 0-5 years old and their caregivers; older…
About
Serving the diverse communities of Whitman and Pennsport, this neighborhood library is located on Snyder Avenue between 2nd Street and S. Philip Street. It is close to several shopping areas, including Snyder Plaza and Whitman Plaza, I-95, and Columbus Boulevard.
History
The neighborhood of Whitman and its library branch derive their names from the nearby Walt Whitman Bridge. In 1854, the community was included in what was then Passyunk Township. It was marshland, and many of the inhabitants raised pigs. The area south of Moore and between the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers was known as "the Neck."
Growing out of European customs, the famous Philadelphia Mummers originated in the Neck. "Neckers" formed social clubs and visited each other in pop-in style and dressed in outlandish costumes for the fun of it. Out of this grew the "pea-shooters" who shot in the New Year.
The first official city parade was sponsored in 1901. Every year on New Year's Day, mummers dressed in elaborate costumes strut their stuff down Broad Street and later on 2nd Street or "Two Street." Mummery is particularly associated with Two Street, where a number of Mummers clubs are located.
The Whitman Branch of the Free Library opened on January 24, 1977. The library was renovated in 2000 as part of the "Changing Lives" campaign, which refurbished branches and brought Internet service.
When you visit the library, look in the meeting room to see scenes of South Philadelphia painted by well-known Philadelphia watercolorist Howard N. Watson.