Cecil B. Moore 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. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Thursday | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Friday | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Saturday | Closed |
Upcoming Closures
- Thu., Jun. 19 : Closed Juneteenth
- Fri., Jul. 4 : Closed Independence Day
- Mon., Sep. 1 : Closed Labor Day
- Thu., Sep. 4 : Opening at 1:00 PM due to staff development
Services
- Book Drop
- Browse Shelves
- Computer Use
- Materials / Holds Pick Up
- Printing Services
- Reference Services
- Wi-Fi
Facilities
- Baby changing station
- Book drop box
- Children's only restroom
- Computers for public use
- Electrical outlets available
- Meeting space (reservation required)
- Photocopier (black/white)
- Printing (black/white)
- Public restrooms
- Scanner
- Street parking (free)
- Street parking
- Water fountain
- Wireless internet access (wi/fi)
Upcoming Events
Adult Computer Basics
Mon, June 9, 2025
3:00 P.M.
For users with no or little previous computer experience learn to use the mouse, learn to search the internet and sign up for email. Next Session - Friday, June 27th 10am-2pm.
Preschool Storytime and Open Play
Tue, June 10, 2025
10:30 A.M.
Join Ms. Kate for books, songs, and dancing on Tuesdays at 10:30-11:30am ! Then stick around for free play with toys! For ages 5 and under and their caregivers. (Please call ahead to arrange a pre-school or day care visit).
Drop in Hours: Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS)
Tue, June 10, 2025
11:00 A.M.
Please stop by the Philadelphia Department of Health and Intellectual Disabilities (DBHIDS) information table to learn about the valuable mental wellness resources the City can provide. Drop in Hours will be back on June 24th!
Resource Table - Community Wellness
Tue, June 10, 2025
11:00 A.M.
Stop by the resource table from the Community Wellness Engagement Unit of the City of Philadelphia's Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services (DBHIDS) to learn about the valuable mental wellness resources the city can provide to you, your family or…
About
Located near the intersection of 23rd Street and Ridge Avenue, this branch serves North Central Philadelphia, Strawberry Mansion, Brewerytown, Sharswood, and the Johnson Homes. Formerly the Columbia Avenue Branch, the avenue and the library were renamed in 1987.
History
Originally named the Columbia Avenue Branch, the library opened for business on April 10, 1962. This branch succeeded the Wagner Institute Branch, located at 17th and Montgomery. Wagner Institute Branch was the first extension, or branch, of the Free Library, opening on October 18, 1892. It still exists at 17th and Montgomery as a science and natural history museum.
Cecil Bassett Moore was a lawyer, civil rights activist who led the fight to integrate Girard College, president of the local NAACP, and member of Philadelphia's City Council. With the help of high school students gathering signatures for a petition, the names of the street and branch were changed in 1987 to honor Moore.
While visiting the library, you might notice the mural in the children's room, "Let Beauty Fill Their Eyes." It was painted by David Lawrence and portrait artist Rhasaan Fort in 2000. The mosaic in the vestibule, "Integration of Science and Art," was completed in 1963 by Edna Andrade. The library was renovated in 1996 as part of the "Changing Lives" campaign, which refurbished branches and brought Web access to every library.