Whitman Library
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday | 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday | 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
| Thursday | 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
| Friday | 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Saturday | Closed |
Upcoming Closures
- Thu., Dec. 8 : Opening at 2:00 PM due to staff development
- Sun., Dec. 25 : Closed Christmas Day
- Mon., Dec. 26 : Closed Christmas Day (Observed)
- Sun., Jan. 1 : Closed New Year's 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
Bike Light Give-Away
Light up the night and be safe with our bike light giveaway, while they last. Thank you to Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia for the lights. .
Friends of Whitman Library Monthly Meeting
The Friends of Whitman Library meets (virtually) once a month, usually on the first Monday of the month. Anyone interested in learning more about the Friends of Whitman Library is welcome to join…
Bike Light Give-Away
Light up the night and be safe with our bike light giveaway, while they last. Thank you to Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia for the lights. .
Board Games with LEAP
Come play board games at LEAP! We’ll have chess, Scrabble, Uno, and Settlers of Catan (and maybe more) available to play on tables in the library. For kids & teens. This program starts…
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.