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
- Mon., Sep. 1 : Closed Labor Day
- Mon., Oct. 13 : Closed Indigenous Peoples' Day
- Tue., Nov. 11 : Closed Veterans Day
- Thu., Nov. 27 : Closed Thanksgiving Day
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
Kids’ Sensory Playtime
Mon, August 11, 2025
11:00 A.M.
Sensory play encourages children to explore and discover new sensations, materials, and experiences, fostering curiosity and learning. Activities will include using kinetic sand, clay, DIY fidget spinners, and sensory bins.
Preschool Storytime and Open Play
Tue, August 12, 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, August 12, 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. DBHIDS will return on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays in July and August!
Civil Service Information Table
Tue, August 12, 2025
2:00 P.M.
Have you ever thought about working for the City of Philadelphia but didn’t know where to start? Maybe you thought you needed a connection to be considered, or that you wouldn’t qualify? Join the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Human Resources for an informational office hours…
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.