Whitman Library
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 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. 12 : Opening at 2:00 PM due to staff development
- Thu., Nov. 9 : Opening at 2:00 PM due to staff development
- Sat., Nov. 11 : Closed Veterans Day
Services By Appointment
Services
- Book Drop
- Materials / Holds Pick Up
- Reference Services
- Wi-Fi
- Browse Shelves
- Computer Use
- Printing Services
Facilities
- Bicycle rack
- Book drop box
- Baby changing station
- Computers for public use
- Electrical outlets available
- Handicapped accessible
- Public restrooms
- Street parking (free)
- Water fountain
- Wireless internet access (wi/fi)
- Printing (black/white)
- Photocopier (black/white)
- Scanner
Upcoming Events
Two week Plant Swap
Want to refresh your plant collection, or just get some new ones? Bring in a plant or cutting and swap it out for one of ours. Program is held in front of the reference desk. Monday - Friday 10…
Build It!
Drop in any time between 3:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to build with LEGO, Magna-Tiles, and more! Younger siblings are welcome (we have blocks for them, too.) No large groups (10+ people) please.…
Board Games for Kids
Board Games will be set up on the children’s side of the library 3:00-5:30 p.m. on Tuesday afternoons. Candy Land, Sorry, Chutes & Ladders, and more will be available. Due to space…
Whitman Walking Clubs
Do you want to start moving, but not sure how to start? Join our slower paced Beginning Club @ 10:00 a.m. Do you like to walk fast? Come @ 11:00 a.m. to our Intermediate Club. Wear…
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.