David Cohen Ogontz Library

6017 Ogontz Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19141-1311
Church Lane & Ogontz Ave.
Open today 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday Closed
Monday 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 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 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Upcoming Closures

  • Tue., Nov. 11 : Closed Veterans Day
  • Thu., Nov. 27 : Closed Thanksgiving Day
  • Fri., Nov. 28 : Closed Thanksgiving Friday
  • Thu., Dec. 25 : Closed Christmas Day
View all holiday closings

Facilities

  • Bicycle rack
  • Book drop box
  • Computers for public use
  • Handicapped accessible
  • Meeting space (reservation required)
  • Parking lot
  • Photocopier (black/white)
  • Printing (black/white)
  • Public restrooms
  • Scanner
  • Water fountain
  • Wireless internet access (wi/fi)

Upcoming Events

Baby and Toddler Storytime at the Library

Thu, October 30, 2025 10:30 A.M. This event has already happened.

Join Sunita for stories and songs, perfect for infants and toddlers ages 4 and under. Daycares and other groups, please call ahead to arrange a visit to ensure we have space to accommodate. Meets most Thursdays.

Social Services at the Library with a Social Worker

Mon, November 3, 2025 2:00 P.M.

Stop by for Open Office Hours with a Social Worker where you can receive help finding, navigating, and connecting to relevant community and government agencies.  This service will be available today from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. If you have questions, you can email…

Social Services at the Library with a Social Worker

Mon, November 17, 2025 2:00 P.M.

Stop by for Open Office Hours with a Social Worker where you can receive help finding, navigating, and connecting to relevant community and government agencies.  This service will be available today from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. If you have questions, you can email…

Interactive Show + Tell

Wed, November 19, 2025 3:30 P.M.

Brian Rudnick, "The Pocket Guide", will conduct a show + tell of interesting pocket-sized, nature-themed items. Participants will get to handle the objects, ask questions, and share their own knowledge. This educational and fun program is ideal for school-age children and their…

About

Serving the communities of Ogontz and Belfield, this branch is located at Church Lane and Ogontz Avenue.

History

Ogontz is named after the Oak Lane mansion of Jay Cooke, a Civil War financier. As a young boy, he met Chief Ogontz in Ohio and later named his home for the Indian leader.

The community first requested a library in 1961, but due to problems with sites, funding and construction, the library was not opened until 1997. David and Florence Cohen helped get the community organized by circulating petitions and even hosting a meeting at their home. In the 1960's and 70's the area was served by a bookmobile, and various sites were considered, and even purchased, but the plans were rejected and funding was rescinded.

In 1984, the neighborhood association requested a library on the site of the former Ogontz Theatre and the library applied for library construction funds from the state. In 1994, groundbreaking was held at 6017 Ogontz Avenue, next to the site of the theatre. The library was to be a pre-engineered modular building, with carousel book shelves.

On February 10, 1997, the new library was finally opened, with a special poem written and recited by Nikki Taylor, who fondly remembered the weekly bookmobile visits and considered the new library a blessing for the entire community.